Loughrigg Fell (from Ambleside)
Lake District – South East
Route: Ambleside Rydal Road car park – Rothay Park – Miller Brow – Loughrigg Fell (335) – Deerbolts Woods – Grasmere lake – Rydal Water – River Rothay
Distance: 7.9 miles Ascent: 400 m Time: 3 hours
OS Map: OL 7 The English Lakes, South-eastern area
Parking / Start Point: Ambleside Rydal Road car park
Standing on the top of Loughrigg you realise you don’t need to climb a mountain to get fine views. On a clear day, the views from Loughrigg are as good as any in the Lakes.
From the car park, head back down into the village before turning right to pass St Mary’s Church and primary school and then through Rothay Park. Cross the river, turn right and then left up a steep lane / bridleway, eventually leading onto the open fell.
Once on the fell, there are a myriad of paths, some mapped, others not. Not all lead to the summit, so careful navigation is needed. In poor visibility it would be all too easy to get lost up here.
From the trig point the descent is steep and, in places, loose under foot. Head into Deerbolts Woods, eventually taking the sharp right turn down towards the shores of Grasmere.
Past the weir, head across the bridge and follow the path along the river, eventually crossing back over on the elegant White Moss Bridge. Follow the signs for Ambleside, along the southern shore of Rydal Water and thereafter along the River Rothay.
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