“on the north side the Fairfield range is magnificent: here are dark precipices, long fans of scree, abrupt crags, desolate combs and deep valleys: a tangle of rough country, small in extent but full of interest, and well worth the exploration”
A Wainwright
Those who climb the Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside should not think that they have done with Fairfield, the grassy slopes on the Ambleside side of the mountain differ vastly with the Patterdale side, here on the eastern flanks of the mountain huge crags tower above deep valleys and fine ridges climb over beautiful summits.
Although all routes to Fairfield have their merits the ridges over St Sundays Crag and Hartsop Above How make a great high level ridge route to and from the summit of Fairfield covering some of the best ground on the eastern side of the massif.
“Every walker who aspires to high places and looks up to at the remote summit of St Sundays Crag will experience an urge to go forth and climb up to it, for it's challenge is very strong. It's rewards are equally generous, and altogether this is a noble fell. Saint Sunday must surely look down on his memorial with profound gratification”
A Wainwright
From Patterdale we will climb the long steady ridge over Hartsop Above How, with stunning views over the valleys of Deepdale and Dovedale to either side and the towering crags around Fairfield ahead.
From Hartsop Above How the ridge continues to climb on good paths to the summit of Hart Crag with it's views down over the Rydal Valley.
The path continue north west to the summit of Fairfield, but a short detour to the north of the path will give us the best of the views down into the valleys below.
The summit of Fairfield is a good viewpoint of much of the Lake District, with a great view north over Helvellyn and Striding Edge and west to Scafell Pike.
Our descent from Fairfield will bring us down the rocky ridge over Cofa Pike descending to Deepdale Hause before the easy climb up to the summit of St Sundays Crag one of the best viewpoints of the day with a striking view of Striding Edge across the Grisedale Valley.
A short detour from St Sundays Crag brings us down onto the subsidiary summit of Gavel Pike, at the head of the eastern shoulder of St Sundays Crag, here a good path will bring us down to the col above Blind Cove and the grassy slopes of Birks.
After crossing Birks we will descend east onto the low ridge above Glenamara Park and follow this rambling bracken covered ridge to the rocky summit of Arnison Crag with it's wonderful view over the foot of Ullswater.
A short descent from Arnison Crag will bring us back down to Patterdale.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Outside the Patterdale Hotel, Patterdale
Postcode: CA11 0NL
Grid Reference: NY 397 158
Directions
From the South Lakes: From the A591 between Ambleside and Windermere turn onto the A592. Follow this road over the Kirkstone Pass descending to Brothers Water. After the road passes a turning to the right, continue past Brothers Water to the village of Patterdale where the Patterdale Hotel will be seen to the left, we will meet outside the Hotel entrance, a pay and display car park is opposite the hotel.
From the North Lakes: From the A66 between Keswick and Penrith turn off onto the A592, near the Rheged Centre, signposted to Ullswater, follow this road south along the shore of Ullswater past the villages of Glenridding to Patterdale. The Patterdale Hotel will be seen on the right hand side, we will meet outside the Hotel entrance, a pay and display car park is opposite the hotel.
Bus Services
Glenridding is served by a seasonal bus service from Ambleside and a more regular service from Penrith.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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