Walk 1472 - Alcock Tarn, Rydal Water & Grasmere from Grasmere

      
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This circular walk starts from the village of Grasmere and begins by climbing onto the fells to visit Alcock Tarn. The route continues into the Rydal and returns via Rydal water and Grasmere. The views throughout are excellent so choose a fine day. There is one section of sustained ascent towards the beginning of the route although this is over a well-maintained path.

   
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The start is the large pay and display car park (grid ref. NY339072) at the southern end of the village near the A591 Keswick to Ambleside road. Exit the car park and turn right to walk through the village following the B5287 to reach the A591 at the northern end of the village (grid ref. NY339082). Cross the main road and take the lane to the right of the Swan Hotel. Continue along this lane continuing straight ahead at the first junction. Turn right at grid ref. NY340083 and follow the signed footpath for Alcock Tarn. The path crosses a river and then starts a steep climb up the fellside. This is well maintained and offers improving views over Grasmere and the surrounding fells. Alcock Tarn is soon reached and provides an excellent place to take a break. From here the emphasis of the view changes with the panorama now including Windermere and other salient features in the southern Lake District.

Continuing, start the descent towards Rydal. Follow the clear path as it drops across the fellside passing a small lake. Eventually this leads down to a track (grid ref. NY344072). Turn left and follow the track to reach a lane (grid ref NY344067). Turn left and follow this track to follow an undulating course across the fellside all the way to Rydal. Reaching Rydal, turn right past the church down to the main road.

Cross the main road and turn left walking towards Ambleside. At the first road junction, turn right and cross the bridge. Once on the other side of the River Rothay turn right again along a tarmac lane. Continue past some cottages after which the lane becomes a rougher track and exits onto open fellside. The path forks (grid ref. NY358060). Bear right here to join the lower path which initially follows the shore of Rydal Water. At the next junction (grid ref. NY347059) bear slightly right to descend to a footbridge (grid ref. NY343059). Cross the bridge and bear left on the other side now following the shore of Grasmere, which is on your left. This path leads to the A591 road. Turn left along the road and follow the pavement alongside Grasmere. Walk past the hotel and take the next left. This leads back to the start.

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 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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NOTE - all distances are "as the crow flies"