Route: Wansfell Pike
Area: Far Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 28th September 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 7.7 miles
Ascent: 1,900 feet
Weather: Mixed cloud and sun
We parked in the main car park in Ambleside and headed towards the centre of town. At a sign ‘To the Waterfalls’ we did as instructed and followed along the right bank of Stock Ghyll, leaving the lane at another sign to follow a path which gives good views of the waterfalls
We left the woods via a wooden gate next to a revolving metal one and started the climb up to Wansfell Pike. The weather was warm and sunny during this part of the walk and we were soon down to our t-shirts. The climb is quite steep but has been made much easier in recent years thanks to the provision of a well made and unobtrusive rocky staircase. We were soon at the top of Wansfell Pike enjoying superb views back to Ambleside and across to Windermere. Wansfell Pike is not in fact the summit of Wansfell, as the highest point of the fell lies a short distance away to the north east. As the difference is only 15 feet or so, and since the views from the true summit are inferior, we were content with having climbed the Pike and started the gentle descent towards Troutbeck
We soon reached Nanny Lane, an old drovers’ road, and this took us into the village of Troutbeck, where we had a coffee break at the Old Post Office. Just beyond the post office we joined another walled track known as Robin Lane and followed this around the lower flanks of Wansfell, through Skelghyll Wood and back into Ambleside to complete a superb circuit
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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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Red squirrel in the garden before we set off this morning
As we leave the car park in Ambleside, we pass by 17th century Bridge House, built over Stock Ghyll
We follow the signs for the waterfalls on the edge of the town...
One of the lower waterfalls
The twin cascades of Stockghyll Force, plunging 70 feet into the gill below
We leave the lane here, at a sign marked 'Footpath to Troutsbeck via Wansfell'
The start of the climb, beside a small stream
An early view back
The elegant spire of St Mary's Church Ambleside
Looking across to Red Screes and the Kirkstone Psss
Another view back over Ambleside
Windermere from Wansfell Pike
...and Ambleside and Loughrigg Fell
Gilly and Bonnie on the rocky top
Wansfell, the true top of the fell, and Ill Bell beyond
Windermere again
We start the descent towards Troutbeck
Walking along Nanny Lane - impossible to get lost here...
Troutbeck below
One of 3 wells in the village, the other 2 being dedicated to St James and St John
Lovely old cottages in Troutbeck...
A view across the valley as we walk through the village
Time for coffee at the Old Post Office - highly recommended. We leave the road here to follow Robin Lane out of the village
Looking across the valley to the lower slopes of Sour Howes
A view back along the lane
Lovely views on our left as we gain height
We contour around the slopes of Wansfell
We pass by an old stone barn
The track leading to High Skelghyll
High Skelghyll bottom right and the Langdale Pikes in the background
We follow the winding track through the farm
Windermere
Looking back along the track
Beyond High Skelghyll now, we continue along the track, with more views of Windermere on our left...
The path enters into Skelghyll Wood...
A short diversion to admire the view of Windermere from Jenkin Crag
We join a lane above Ambleside, which takes us back down into the town
Stock Ghyll again, and from here it's a short stroll back to the end of a five star walk
It was good to see a hedgehog in the garden at the end of the day
