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The Fairfield Horseshoe: Tuesday 20th October 2015

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One of the most popular horseshoe walks in the Lake District the Fairfield Horseshoe is a glorious walk with some splendid views. Beginning and finishing in Ambleside this guided walk takes in 8 Wainwright summits.

Availability: In stock

£22.00

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£22.00
Difficulty: Hard
  A long walk, but with no exposure
Distance: 17km / 11 miles approx.
Ascent: 1110m / 3400ft approx.
Time: 7 hours
Start Time: 10am
Maximum Group Size: 10
Minimum Group Size: 1

 

"Fairfield, a grand mountain with grand satellites in support."
A. Wainwright

 

The Fairfield Horseshoe is a great day out for everyone, although a long walk the pace is steady allowing time to bask in the glory of this stunning part of the Lakes.

The start up Nab Scar from Ambleside is hard and steep but once on the ridge it's relatively easy going.

There is plenty of time to take in the wonderful views of amongst others Helvellyn & Striding Edge, Windermere, Morecambe Bay and the Langdale Pikes.

Our instructors have a detailed knowledge of the Fairfield area so why not join in one of our guided walks.

 

Summits included on this route:
   
Nab Scar
440 metres/1444 feet
Heron Pike
612 metres/2008 feet
Great Rigg
766 metres/2513 feet
Fairfield
873 metres/2864 feet
Hart Crag
822 metres/2697 feet
Dove Crag
792 metres/2598 feet
High Pike (Scandale)
656 metres/2152 feet
Low Pike
508 metres/1667 feet

 

There is a Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race, which takes place annually in May, first organised by the Lake District Mountain Trial Association in 1966. This fell race is over 14 kilometres long with over 900 metres of ascent. The course record was set by Mark Roberts in 2000 with a time of 75 minutes 11 seconds. We don't usually do it quite so quickly though, it usually takes us nearer seven hours.

 

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 to 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!

Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.

 

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