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- Ambleside Walking Weekend
Two great days of walking from Ambleside, in the heart of the Lake District, taking in the classic Fairfield Horseshoe, a long day taking in eight Wainwright summits.
On the Sunday we will climb Red Screes by the long southern ridge before taking in Middle Dodd and then crossing to Little Hart Crag and High Hartsop Dodd.
Summits included on this weekend:
Nab Scar440 metres / 1444 feet
Heron Pike612 metres / 2008 feet
Great Rigg766 metres / 2513 feet
Fairfield873 metres / 2864 feet
Hart Crag822 metres / 2697 feet
Dove Crag792 metres / 2598 feet
High Pike656 metres / 2152 feet
Low Pike508 metres / 1667 feet
Red Screes776 metres / 2546 feet
Middle Dodd (Optional)654 metres / 2146 feet
Little Hart Crag (Optional)637 metres / 2090 feet
High Hartsop Dodd (Optional)519 metres / 1703 feet
The Fairfield Horseshoe
From Ambleside we will follow the Rydal Road a short distance before crossing the fields to Rydal. A steep ascent will then lead onto Nab Scar.
A long but easy walk will then lead along the ridge over Heron Pike and Great Rigg towards the summit of Fairfield.
We will continue along the ridge to Hart Crag and Dove Crag before the long descent over High Pike and Low Pike before descending to High Sweden Bridge and the track back into Ambleside.
Although this is one of our longer routes after the first steep climb it is a fairly easy ridge walk, although long. We do however take it gently, we have all day to complete the walk!
Red Screes
From Ambleside a short walk up the Kirkstone road will bring us to our path, climbing the long but gentle southern ridge of Red Screes, first by the summit of Snarker Pike to the dramatic summit of Red Screes.
With steep drops to the north and west of the summit the views from the summit of Red Screes are magnificent.
From Red Screes there is an option to descend north over Smallthwaite Band to the satellite top of Middle Dodd before descending west to Scandale Pass.
The summits of Little Hart Crag and High Hartsop Dodd are just a short detour from the pass for those collecting the summits, but the descent from Scandale Pass south to Scandale Bottom and following the track south by Scandale Beck to High Sweeden Bridge and back along the track to Ambleside.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Postcode: LA22 9AN
Grid Reference: NY 376 046
Directions
The Bridge House is easily found in Ambleside Village, on the A591 Rydal Road, just north of the centre of the village towards the Rydal Road Car Park and the mini roundabout. The Bridge House will be found on the left of the road, opposite the SR Cunninghams / Jack Wolfskin shop.
The Bridge House, a small house built on a bridge over the beck is now a National Trust gift shop, we will meet outside the shop.
Bus Services
Ambleside is well served by buses, the main bus stop in Ambleside is 5 minutes walk away from the meet point.
- The 555 bus runs between Kendal and Keswick, passing through Windermere and Grasmere
- The 599 runs regularly through the summer months from Bowness, Windermere and Grasmere
- The 516 runs between Ambleside and the Langdale Valley
- The 505 runs between Coniston and Ambleside, via Hawkshead
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
Each participant is expected to bring suitable personal equipment for the event.
This should include the following:
Summer Events:
(November - March)
- Walking shoes / Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
Winter Events:
(April - October)
- Walking Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
- Torch (preferably a headtorch)
- Spare batteries for the above
- Spare Gloves
- Flask & Hot Drink
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
- Snow Goggles
- Gaiters
The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
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Excellent weekend walking from Ambleside Review by Alison Kinsella
Overall Experience Excellent weekend walking from Ambleside. We were very well looked after by our guide Neal and he ensured our safety throughout. Will be booking again. (Posted on 24/10/2024)
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Top class weekend of walking based in Ambleside Review by Carol
Overall Experience A fantastic weekend starting with The Fairfield Horseshoe. Rachel our guide was brilliant, friendly and caring, our enjoyment and safety on the day was her total focus, top day. Sunday took us up the Scandale Valley to Red Screes with Joe, who again was brilliant. Friendly and approachable and he clearly was focused on us having a great day, and we did! This is first time I have been out with The Lake District Walker and I would not hesitate to recommend your services and can't wait to walk with you again. Both guides had a wealth of knowledge about the area, pointing out all the peaks and landmarks and our safety and enjoyment was of paramount importance to them. A great experience, wonderful walking and some fab views too! Thank you.
The booking process was simple and your office were so helpful on the very morning of the Red Screes walk when my friend wanted to join the walk, great service and we think we have found a gem !
(Posted on 15/05/2017) -
Invigorating. Review by Andrea
Overall Experience Another great weekend spent with The Lake District Walker. (nice to meet you John.) The Fairfield Horseshoe provided the challenge & stunning views which kept on giving & giving...Red Screes teased us with cloud dropping in & out. The sun finally shone through - another magical day. Have met all guides now. They carry a wealth of knowledge & your welfare, enjoyment really is key to them.. (Posted on 24/11/2015)
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Questions:
Question:
What is the minimum age for children on this event?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Friday, 13 October 2017
We do not have a set minimum age for this event, however, you know your child best, therefore please bear in mind this is an open event of varying ages, if you are not confident your child can complete this event then hiring a private guide could be a more suitable option.
As this is an open event all under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Question:
Are dogs allowed on this walking weekend?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Friday, 13 October 2017
Yes, dogs are allowed on all our walking weekends.
However we do cross farmland and common land where animals will be grazing, there will be large sections of the walks, if not all, where dogs will be required to be on a lead.
There are sections of this walks across rough ground and boulders and as such this walk may not be suitable for all dogs.
Question:
What happens if the weather is bad?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Friday, 13 October 2017
We plan to walk whatever the weather, unless it is dangerous to do so.
Mountain weather can be a little unpredictable, but we do keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to walks.
Should the forecast mean that the walk is not possible then we will contact you as soon as we have the forecast and offer you the following options:
- A more suitable walk on the same date taking into consideration the weather conditions
- A transfer to the same walk on another date
- A full refund
We will assess the forecast for each day individually.
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