Walk 1170 - A shortened version of the Fairfield Horseshoe

      
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This walk is a variation on the popular Fairfield horseshoe (See walk 1002), which traditionally starts and ends in Ambleside. By using the bus service between Grasmere and Ambleside, the walk can be shortened with the attractive descent from Stone Arthur adding an interesting finale. It is suggested you park in Grasmere and take the bus to Ambleside as this means you are not under pressure at the end of the day to catch the bus - the Tourist Information Centre in Grasmere was particularly helpful in providing schedules.

From the centre of Ambleside take the Kirkstone Road for a short way turning down the first lane on the left. This leads to Low Sweden Bridge from where the views of the Fells begin to improve. The onward path to Low Pike is well-trodden and you soon find yourself alongside the ridge wall. This leads onwards over high Pike and onto Dove Crag. As you climb, the views on both sides are excellent and improve with each step.

Although you are now in the high fells, progress is easy. Although you are climbing most of the time there is nothing too strenuous and you feel as though you are covering a lot of ground. By the time you reach Dove Crag, you have earned a rest, and this is an excellent place to see the majority of the Fairfield horseshoe. Suitably refreshed head on to Hart Crag where the view north opens out with St Sunday Crag dominating the view. The ascent is nearly over and after dropping off the northern side of Hart Crag to Link Hause a steep rocky upward pull brings you onto Fairfield.

As the name suggests, this mountain is a grassy plateau. However on its north eastern flanks there are some superb crags and rather than follow the main path it is better to keep to your right following the narrow trod which skirts around the top of the cliffs. Besides an excellent view into Deepdale, you are able to appreciate the full extent of Fairfield's rocky aspect. Suitably impressed, you should arrive at the summit cairn from where the far ranging views are excellent. However because of the domed nature of the plateau it is better to explore a little with a short walk north to inspect Cofa Pike and Grisedale Hause particularly rewarding.

Having reached the highest point of the walk it is downhill almost all the way back to Grasmere. In poor visibility do be careful to take the correct path off Fairfield as it can be a confusing place in low cloud. Keeping on the main path to Great Rigg you will find it easy to keep a good pace with an excellent Lakeland panorama ahead. Reaching the cairn on Great Rigg descend but fork right off the main Heron Pike path along the subsidiary ridge leading to Stone Arthur.

Not nearly as busy as the main path, you descend gently to the rocky outcrop named Stone Arthur. The views to Grasmere and Easedale are particularly good and after a little scrambling the path descends more abruptly before levelling off again. The route is waymarked and soon you reach the main road (grid ref. 339083). From here it is short walk into the centre of Grasmere where there are ample opportunities for refreshment.

Suggested Maps

It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.

	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet OL5
	OS Explorer	1:25,000	Sheet OL7
	OS Landranger	1:50,000	Sheet 90

Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps.

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