Red Screes

A moderate to strenuous 8 mile hike from Ambleside, returning along the Scandale Valley.

Aptly named; at least for me, on this occasion!

Setting off from Ambleside, the route follows the steep Kirkstone Road for the first part of the walk.

A view of the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin, at the foot of Loughrigg Fell.

Wansfell Pike

Some helpful sheep showing us the way to the footpath

This way to the fells....

 Windermere, calm as a millpond in the early morning light

Rydal Water

Heron Pike

Fairfield Horseshoe

http://thesebootsrmade4walkin.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/fairfield-horseshoe.html

Bog Cotton under the bluest of blue summer skies

Can't resist the picturesque Rydal Water

Kirkstone Pass

Suddenly finding ourselves looking down from Snarker Moss, onto the Kirkstone Pass Inn, the highest in Cumbria. The Pass itself going away to the right and "The Struggle" wandering down back to Ambleside.

http://www.kirkstonepassinn.com/

Red Screes

Red Screes summit. Brothers Water with Place Fell behind it.

Hart Crag in the foreground, Frostwick & Ill Bell middleground, Harter Fell & Kentmere Pike in the background

I think I'm correct in saying this is an Emperor Dragonfly, but I'm willing to stand corrected!

Descending now into Scandale Pass, looking back up at Red Screes

Scandale Valley, looking towards Windermere

Sheep fold in the Scandale Valley

Looking back up the Scandale Valley, towards Little Hart Crag

Looking forward to the welcome shade of High Sweden Coppice

High Sweden Bridge, a 17th Century packhorse bridge which spans Scandale Beck

The intriguing folly known as "The Tower of Beauty and Friendship", in the grounds of Eller How, Ambleside

And finally, a most welcome cold beverage at the Golden Rule

http://www.goldenrule-ambleside.co.uk/site.html

Thanks for looking at my photoblog, hope you've enjoyed it!

Fairfield Horseshoe

A slightly more strenuous walk than the last one; taking in Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike - phew!

Windermere becomes visible as you start the ascent

Near neighbours Rydal and Grasmere

The Lakeland fells stretch in every direction

Spot the RAF jet

You will sometimes hear low flying aircraft as the RAF use the area for tactical training exercises. Usually they will have already passed by before you hear them, but you might just manage to get a photo!

Looking back along Great Rigg, with Windermere to the left

Rydal Valley

Morecambe Bay, Windermere and Esthwaite Water from the Fairfield ascent

As you ascend to the summit of Fairfield the path over Heron Pike and Great Rigg is clearly visible.

Fairfield Summit

Helvellyn and Striding Edge

St. Sunday Crag from Fairfield









On leaving the summit of Fairfield and starting the descent to Hart Crag, the view is of Heron Pike and Great Rigg looming over the Rydal Valley with Rydal Beck running down the centre.

Looking back at the stony descent from Hart Crag.

Descending almost all the way down to Ambleside, these dry stone walls act as a guide as you make your way down Dove Crag, High Pike and finally Low Pike.

An alternative way to view the Lakeland hills

This Herdwick lamb was not going to give up his shady spot under a tree for anyone!

The stream near Low Sweden Bridge was very tempting, however we carried on down into Ambleside where a cold drink awaited us.

http://happyhiker.co.uk/MyWalks/LakeDistrict/FairfieldHorseshoe/Hiking%20Pages%20-%20Fairfield%20Horseshoe.htm

Thanks for visiting my blog, I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Grasmere - Rydal

A nice easy circular walk, taking in Rydal Water and Grasmere

 

Parking at Stock Lane and crossing the A591 you immediately come to Dove Cottage and the Wordsworth Trust Museum.

Dove Cottage, once the family home of William Wordsworth.

He lived here from 1799 - 1808, moving into the former pub initially with his sister.

A little glimpse of Grasmere near Dove Cottage

  

 Before St Mary's church in Ambleside was consecrated, coffins had to be transported along the corpse road from Ambleside. Along the 4km route to St Oswald's church in Grasmere are several resting stones, where bearers could set down the coffin for a short while, before continuing the journey for the burial. 

A view from the "Coffin Route"

Rhododendrons near White Moss Tarn

White Moss Tarn

White Moss Tarn, also nicknamed Skater's Tarn; although it's difficult to believe that anyone could skate on it nowadays, overgrown as it seems to be. Allegedly though, Wordsworth did used to skate here in winter and referred to the tarn in one of his poems, Resolution & Independence.

High Wood



Rydal Water



One of many boathouses

Herdwick Sheep

Harrison Stickle from Rydal

Bluebells and White Campion carpet the hillside

Suddenly you come upon a view of Grasmere

 Bluebells in one direction...

 

Barns & boat houses in the other.  

A carrion crow keeps a beady eye on things

Dunmail Raise in the distance

Eventually you come full circle, and the footpath brings you out on Rydal Mount, where you can visit another Wordsworth family home, or pay a visit to nearby Rydal Hall tea shop.

http://www.rydalmount.co.uk/ 

http://www.rydalhall.org/tea-shop/ 

On the way down Rydal Mount are a number of interesting old houses.

Undermount Cottage

Parish Church of St. Mary, Rydal

Church House, Rydal

A gentle stroll through the village via the river will bring you back to the car park..

Pink Campion and wild yellow Poppies

Finishing off with a surprise sight!

Thanks for visiting my blog, I hope you enjoyed the photos.