| Great escapes: Lake District 3 |
| Stepping out |
| Take a break from driving and stretch your legs with an uplifting walk to the top of Loughrigg Fell. You won't be disappointed |
There's nothing quite
like a pleasant walk to get away from it all.
As the philosopher Kierkegaard once said, “I've walked myself into my best thoughts, and know of no thoughts so burdensome that I cannot walk away from them.” And what better surroundings in which to unwind and let worries slip away than Britain's most scenic spot?
When we visited the Lakes, the region was still in the grip of the foot-
and-mouth outbreak, and access to large areas of the upland fells was allowed only at controlled points. Happily, the authorities were recommending a handful of routes which avoided restricted areas, and we followed one of the most popular of these at the time, though as we went to press walkers and climbers were once again allowed unlimited access to the most popular central areas of the Lake District. About 65 per cent of the Park is now open, mostly in the central area, around the highest fells.
1. Getting started
In your car, zero your trip meter and from Fallbarrow Park caravan site turn left onto Rayrigg Rd. At one mile turn left at the traffic island onto the A591 for Ambleside. Follow the signposts through Ambleside for Keswick on the A591, pass through Rydal and at 9.1 miles turn left into the car park at White Moss Common.
Now on foot, be sure to follow any disinfecting instructions if they are still in place or are
re-introduced (pictured, above, right). Follow the path as it leads through woodland, walking more or less alongside the River Rothay which connects the lake at Grasmere and Rydal Water. Cross the river using the wooden bridge at 400 metres.
2. Ascent to Loughrigg Fell
At the signpost, turn right for Loughrigg Terrace, the path to Loughrigg Fell. Go through the gate at 0.5 metres, then turn right and begin to gently ascend the Terrace. Below you to the right as you climb is Grasmere (pictured left, below), with the handsome little town of the same name to the north.
After a mile, turn sharp left where you meet the fir trees and begin climbing the steeper, stone-paved ascent. You'll need regular breaks on this ascent, so use them to relish the view while you rest.
After about 800 metres of fairly steep ascent, the trail reaches a plateau (pictured, above). There's a lot of bracken here, so be sure to stick to the well-trodden path which is marked out by a number of small cairns (mounds of rock) along the way to the summit.
At 1.75 miles you will reach the summit of Loughrigg Fell, at a height of 335 metres. To the south west are the spectacularly-beautiful Langdale Pikes, distinctively shaped and dramatic. The valleys of Great Langdale and Little Langdale were once used by smugglers because of their isolation and their access to the sea.
On your descent from the summit, be sure to stick to the most well-trodden path, which is marked by cairns, rather than get distracted by the many smaller paths which cross it. There are also a number of marshy patches that could cause trouble in poor weather conditions. As a rule of thumb, keep heading towards Lake Windermere which lies a few miles away to the south east.
After three miles, turn sharp left and follow the track alongside a stream as it descends from the fell plateau. When we did this walk, the path lead to a bridleway which was closed due to foot-and-mouth, so turn left here and follow the path along the stone wall.
Cross the stream when you come to a little concrete bridge and go through the iron gate, entering the wooded area of Fox Ghyll. The path shortly rejoins a surfaced road at the Fox Ghyll stile. Turn left and pass the Stepping Stones guesthouse.
Continue along the surfaced road, crossing two cattle grids, then turn left past Cote How guesthouse. Rejoin the footpath at the Glen Rothay Hotel and follow it to a footbridge, which you cross, arriving at a gate bearing a National Trust sign for Loughrigg Fell. Go through the gate and when the path forks bear right and descend to Rydal Water (pictured left & below). The path hugs this beautiful lake.
At a little over 41/2 miles, the path returns to White Moss Common through woodland. Go back over the River Rothay on the wooden bridge you first crossed (pictured, below), and return to the car park.
3. Traveller's rest
After a good hike, you're bound to have built up a big appetite. On the return to Fallbarrow Park caravan site, it's well worth going on a little bit further to the village of Crosthwaite for a really decent nosh-up (pass Fallbarrow Park on Rayrigg Road through Windermere, then turn left onto the A5074, and left again for Crosthwaite).
Here, the Punch Bowl, a
16th-century inn situated in a
lovely location, is a great place for a pub meal.
Choose from a two-course set lunch at a little over £8 or from
the range of sandwiches on offer. You will find the inn open for bar food from 12 noon until 2pm,
6-9pm (though not on Sunday evening or Monday).
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Distance 5 miles
Time 3-5 hours
Start/finish White Moss
Common car park, having
driven from Fallbarrow Park caravan site
Terrain Mainly unpaved surface, with some fairly steep hills
Suitable for The moderately fit
Refreshment
Punch Bowl
Tel 01539 625208
Information
Ambleside
Tel 01539 432582
• Tip
Remember that mountains can be dangerous. Make sure you have
the correct OS map of the area
and carry a compass. Be properly equipped (in particular, wear sturdy walking boots and waterproofs and carry sufficient food and water) and check the weather forecast before setting off.
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