“Most of the high places in Lakeland have no places in history books... Not so High Street which as been known and trodden, down through the ages”
A Wainwright
This is a rare chance to walk along the length of the High Street Roman Road, from Fort to Fort.
This will challenge your endurance, it's great practice to test how your preparing for a challenge such as the 3 Peak Challenge a charity fundraising event or a personal goal.
Why not let our experienced instructors guide you on this wonderful ridge walk, full of history (not just Roman) for a wonderful, albeit long day on the fells.
“Any person so favoured may recline on the turf and witness, in his minds eye, a varied pageant of history”
A Wainwright
An early morning pick up in Ambleside for all participants who will be transported to Brougham Castle, the start of the days walk.
A very long route covering an entire days march for a Roman Centurion, we start the route at Brougham Castle, next to the remains of a Roman Fort and follow the length of the High Street Roman Road as closely as possible to the Roman Fort at Ambleside.
During the route we will be in touch with the minibus and will be able to drop off anyone who is unable to complete the walk.
From Brougham Castle we will follow the lane through Eamont Bridge, Yanwath and Tirral before leaving the country lanes at Celleron. Here we will climb gently on the remains of the Roman Road to 'The Cockpit' the most impressive of the ancient stone circles we will pass on the walk.
From here the road will continue to climb onto the main High Street ridge taking us past the summits of Loadpot Hill, Wether Hill, Red Crag, High Raise and Rampsgill Head before crossing the Straits Of Riggindale, where to our left lives the last wild Golden Eagle in England.
A short climb brings us onto our highest point of the walk, towards the summit of High Street, a short detour from the Roman Road can be made here to take in the summit, before the path leads us down to Troutbeck Park and into the village of Troutbeck.
From the other side of the village we rejoin a track leading around the flanks of the hill before descending via Jenkin Crag to Waterhead and the short walk along the lake shore to the Galava Roman Fort at Ambleside.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: The Bridge House, AmblesidePostcode: LA22 9ANGrid 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 have suitable personal equipment for their activity this should include the following:
- Walking shoes / 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
For winter walks (November to March) events please also bring the following:
- Spare Gloves
- Flask & Hot Drink
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:
-
A Test of Endurance Review by john
This walk was a true test of endurance. After several kilometres of flat walking along the roads from Brougham Castle we started our ascent of the fells. The morning was in glorious sunshine. Just after lunch a short and sharp thunderstorm hit which was rather unpleasant.We continued along the Old High Street marvelling at the views. How the Romans could do this walk in a day without the benefit of modern walking gear is beyond me. A rather steep descent bought us to the flat road into Troutbeck before we had the final sting in the tail as we climbed the last hill into Ambleside. By that stage we were all rather tired. Thanks Neil for taking us on one of the most memorable walks that I think I will ever complete. (Posted on 11/06/2018)
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