Route: High Sweden Bridge
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 7th October 2020
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.4 miles
Ascent: 800 feet
Weather: Rained most of the time
High Sweden Bridge is a fine example of a packhorse bridge and is several hundred years old. Its position, about 1 mile up the Scandale valley from Ambleside, makes it a good destination for a low level walk, although there is a steady ascent up the valley before the bridge is reached
We parked in the Rydal Road car park on the outskirts of Ambleside and after crossing Rydal Road we walked uphill to the Kirkstone road and took the first left turning for Sweden Bridge Lane. The lane is tarmac at first, but soon becomes a stony bridleway between old dry stone walls. The ascent is an easy one, with ever improving views, although the views today were obscured by low cloud, rain and mist. We’d hoped that the clouds would gradually break, but they never did, and it rained most of the time
We eventually arrived at the far point of the walk and our objective High Sweden Bridge. After crossing the ancient stones, polished to a fine sheen by centuries of foot traffic, we followed a path up the other side of the fellside. At the highest point, views of Ambleside and Windermere appeared ahead of us, and accompanied us for most of the way down. The views were not seen at their best thanks to the poor weather, but were a fine sight nevertheless. We continued down the easy track, passing over Low Sweden Bridge where there are some small waterfalls. Shortly beyond the bridge the track became a tarmac lane which took us back down into Ambleside
Despite the weather, it had been an enjoyable walk and I’d happily repeat it, hopefully in better conditions than today
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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The day before the walk, a short walk to Crummock Water - this is Lanthwaite Green from Lanthwaite Hill seen in some lovely light after rain
Lanthwaite Wood...
The path skirts the edge of the wood, and eventually leads to Crummock Water
The foot of Crummock Water
Next morning, a red squirrel in the garden. It's wonderful to have them back after an absence of several months
The start of the walk - we were hoping for some of yesterday's light, but it was not to be
The lane becomes a bridleway between dry stone walls - if followed to the end it goes over the Scandale Pass and on to Brothers Water
Windermere comes into view as we look back...
Despite the low cloud and rain, the outline of the Langdale Pikes is unmistakeable
Loughrigg Fell, and the Langdale Pikes again
We pass by a ruined barn
A glimpse of Rydal Water in the distance
We continue to follow the gently ascending path beside woodland known as Rough Sides...
The path emerges onto open fellside below Low Pike
The far point of the walk - ancient Sweden Bridge
Scandale Beck
Looking down to the bridge after a short uphill climb
A view back along Scandale
Views of Ambleside and Windermere as we descend
Rydal Water on our right, and the Langdale Pikes in the background
Low Sweden Bridge is around the corner, and from here it's a short stroll back into Ambleside
The end of the walk - Bridge House Ambleside, dating back to the 17c
