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Walks by Rydal Water

27 routes and 15 fells within about 5 km of Rydal Water, nearest first. Each fell carries today’s conditions and the bus where there is one. Planning the trip? See the full Rydal Water guide for parking, buses and where to stay.

Within 5 km of Rydal Water

Walking routes near Rydal Water, by how close they come to the water

Effort is the size of the day, from the distance and the climb; each route’s own page grades the steepness, navigation, exposure and ground underfoot, and names the hardest.

On the shore 3 walks

Each route’s line comes within 50 m of the water’s edge somewhere along it, measured against OpenStreetMap’s outline of the lake.

Rydal Water & Rydal Caves Start 0.6 km away6.46 km~216 m~1½–2¼ hModerate: steepness and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked May 2023Park: Pelter Bridge, Rydal (paid) · Bus: 555, 2.3 km walk from Rydal, at White Moss CommonA 6.46 km loop round Rydal Water from Pelter Bridge, with a short there-and-back to Rydal Cave above the south shore and the Coffin Route home under Nab Scar. Low-level, with one short rougher stretch near the cave. The 555 stops beside the loop at White Moss Common, and the route map and GPX are further down.
Loughrigg Terrace & Rydal Water Start 2.2 km away10.71 km~288 m~2½–3½ hModerate effort Moderate: distance and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked in partPark: Ambleside, Rydal Road (paid) · Bus: 555, 1.6 km walk from Ambleside, at Scandale BridgeA terrace walk from Ambleside over Loughrigg's southern slopes to the famous Loughrigg Terrace view down Grasmere, then past Rydal Cave and back under Loughrigg. Easy-moderate, with a little climbing and some rougher ground.
Ambleside, Todd Crag, Rydal Cave Start 2.4 km away10.38 km~394 m~2½–3¾ hModerate effort Hard: steepnessWalked in partPark: Ambleside, Market Place (4 on-street bays) · Bus: 555 at the startThe classic Ambleside circuit of Loughrigg Fell — up through Rothay Park and over Todd Crag past Lily Tarn, across the undulating top to the summit trig point, then down to Loughrigg Terrace above Grasmere and back along the fell's flank via Rydal Cave. Low in height, big in views, and the best-value 10 km in the central Lakes.

Within 500 m of the water 6 walks

Each route’s line comes within 500 m of the water’s edge, but not within 50 m.

Fairfield Horseshoe Start 0.6 km away16.92 km~1009 m~5–6¾ hHard effort Hard: distance, steepness, navigation and exposureWalked April 2023Park: Pelter Bridge, Rydal (paid) · Bus: 555, 2.3 km walk from Rydal, at White Moss CommonOne of the classic Lakeland rounds and a fine first big horseshoe. From the car park at Rydal it's a steady climb, hard rather than moderate on the pull out of Rydal (about 30% at its steepest), with only a minor amount of scrambling — my kids, then 7 and 10, managed it, though they found it a long day. You can easily start from Ambleside instead: stock up at the shops on the way out and finish at the Royal Oak for a well-earned pint. The full round takes in eight Wainwrights, nine tops with Heron Pike’s north top (a Birkett), with Fairfield's broad summit the high point and Windermere laid out behind you on the descent.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 30%; the steepest descent, about 30% over 250 m. Exposure: graded by Lee on the ground.
The Royal Oak Pub Walk (Ambleside) Start 2.2 km away5.94 km~68 m~1¼–1¾ hEasy: distance, steepness, terrain, navigation and exposure🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedPark: Ambleside, Rydal Road (paid) · Bus: 555 at the startAn easy, near-level amble from the heart of Ambleside out along the River Rothay and back — parkland, riverbank and quiet lanes beneath the wooded flanks of Loughrigg, with barely 70 m of climbing across 6 km. A gentle leg-stretch to bookend lunch at the Royal Oak.
Grasmere lake circuit Start 2.3 km away5.67 km~95 m~1¼–1¾ hModerate: navigation🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedPark: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA gentle circuit of Grasmere lake from the village — easy field paths along the eastern shore and undulating woodland on the west, with the fells reflected in the water and Wordsworth's Grasmere all around. About 3½ miles, almost no climbing.
Ambleside to Rydal, with Refreshments and Stepping Stones Start 2.4 km away6.21 km~78 m~1¼–2 hEasy: distance, steepness, terrain and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked in partOut and back · Park: Ambleside, Market Place (4 on-street bays) · Bus: 555 at the startAn out-and-back of about 6.2 km from Ambleside to Rydal along Under Loughrigg Road, the lane on the far side of the River Rothay from the main road. Cross Miller Bridge, pass the stepping stones over the river without crossing them, cross at Pelter Bridge into Rydal, where Rydal Hall’s Old School Room Tea Shop is mapped just off the line, and come back along the lane. Almost all surfaced lane and bridleway, with about 80 m of climbing.
Long Hike to Fairfield from Ambleside Start 2.9 km away22.39 km~1425 m~6¾–9¼ hSevere effort Severe: distanceWalked April 2023Park: Ambleside, Lake Road (paid) · Bus: 555, 340 m walk from Ambleside, at Hayes Garden CentreA big horseshoe day from Ambleside — 1,425 m of ascent in 22.4 km, opening with a relentless 739 m pull onto Red Screes. Fairfield's flat summit plateau is notoriously hard to navigate in cloud, and the day ends on the jarring stone steps down Nab Scar.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest descent, about 32% over 250 m. Navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
Loughrigg Tarn & Loughrigg Fell Start 3.6 km away9.75 km~382 m~2½–3½ hModerate effort Severe: steepnessPlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA big little walk: the classic loop taking in reed-fringed Loughrigg Tarn and the knobbly top of Loughrigg Fell, with one of the finest low-level views in the Lakes — Windermere, Grasmere and the Langdale Pikes all at once. Under 400 m of climb but one short, steep descent of about 46% over 250 m, endlessly varied, and grand for dogs.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest descent, about 46% over 250 m.

More walks within about 5 km 18 walks

Each starts within about 5 km of the lake, and its line stays more than 500 m from the water.

Grasmere to Easdale Tarn Start 2.3 km away9.52 km~237 m~2¼–3¼ hModerate effort Moderate: distance, steepness, terrain and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked June 2024Out and back · Park: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA valley walk from Grasmere village up Easdale to its tarn, ringed by crags: 9.5 km and 237 m, with no summits. The path climbs beside Sourmilk Gill, and the becks rise fast in spate, so take care at the crossings. The ground round the tarn is boggy and rougher; elsewhere it is good paths and lanes, muddy in places. If you bring a dog, keep it close near sheep.Terrain: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 24 September 2026.
Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag, Steel Fell and Tarn Crag Start 2.3 km away20.82 km~950 m~5¾–7¾ hHard effort Severe: distanceWalked June 2024Park: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startThe full Far Easedale horseshoe from Grasmere, and a longer, wetter day than Helm Crag alone suggests. The true summit — the Howitzer — needs an exposed scramble, and beyond Gibson Knott the ground turns to peat hags and bog that stay wet in all seasons, with Brownrigg Moss the hardest crossing of the day.Exposure and terrain: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
Castle How & Lang How - Birketts Start 2.3 km away10.91 km~490 m~3–4 hModerate effort Hard: steepness and navigationWalked in partPark: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startLang How, Swinescar Pike and Castle How on the knolly ground above Grasmere — 10.9 km and 490 m, stages averaging about 10% with a 33% descent over 250 m, and rated hard to navigate among the hummocks. Just about 3–4 hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest descent, about 33% over 250 m. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
Silver How from Grasmere Start 2.3 km away5.06 km~311 m~1½–2¼ hEasy effort Hard: steepnessWalked in partPark: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA loop of about 5.1 km from the middle of Grasmere with about 310 m of climbing: out through the village and up public footpaths onto Silver How, then down the steep Grasmere side of the fell and back into the village along Red Bank Road.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 28%.
Stone Arthur from Grasmere Start 2.3 km away6.82 km~528 m~2¼–3 hModerate effort Hard: steepnessWalked July 2023Out and back · Park: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startThe steep little top above Grasmere, out and back in 6.8 km with 528 m of climbing. Easy for length, navigation and exposure — it is the gradient that makes it, rated hard. About 2¼–3 hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained climb, about 27%. Exposure and navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
Helm Crag & Far Easedale Start 2.3 km away15.93 km~870 m~4½–6¼ hHard effort Hard: distance and steepnessWalked January 2025Park: Stock Lane Car & Coach Park (LDNPA, paid) · Bus: 555 at the startFrom Grasmere along the ridge above Far Easedale — Helm Crag's rocky top first, then Gibson Knott and Calf Crag — and round the head of Greenburn to Steel Fell. A long day at 15.9 km, and the head of Easedale can be vague in cloud.Navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
Stock Ghyll Force Start 2.6 km away1.92 km~89 m~½–¾ hModerate: navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked April 2026Park: Ambleside, King Street (paid) · Bus: 555, 810 m walk from Ambleside, at Hayes Garden CentreA short woodland loop from the middle of Ambleside to the 70-foot Stock Ghyll Force in its steep-sided gorge — at its thundering best after rain, and easily tacked on to a town visit.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 12%.
West of Grasmere Start 2.6 km away15.44 km~863 m~4½–6¼ hHard effort Hard: distanceWalked March 2025Park: Red Bank Road, Grasmere (W&F, paid) · Bus: 555, 320 m walk from Grasmere, opposite Heaton Cooper StudioSix tops on the rough ground west of Grasmere — Tarn Crag, Codale Head, Sergeant Man, Blea Rigg, Swinescar Pike and Silver How — in 15.4 km with 863 m of climbing. Hard for length, moderate for steepness; about 4½–6¼ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained climb, about 24%. Terrain: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
Alcock Tarn from Grasmere Start 2.7 km away4.48 km~320 m~1¼–2 hEasy effort Severe: steepnessPlannedPark: Broadgate Meadow car park, Grasmere (paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA short, steep loop of about 4.5 km from Grasmere to Alcock Tarn, with about 320 m of climbing: out of the village over the River Rothay and Greenhead Gill, along the hillside on a permissive path, steeply up to the tarn, and down a public footpath to Greenhead Gill and back into the village.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 36%.
Ambleside over Miller Bridge Start 2.9 km away3.16 km~162 m~¾–1¼ hEasy: distance, steepness and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked April 2023One-way: finishes at Pine Rigg · Start: Ambleside, Low Fold (paid) · Bus: 555, 350 m walk from Ambleside, at Hayes Garden CentreA short one-way walk of about 3.2 km from the centre of Ambleside, across the River Rothay at Miller Bridge and up the bridleway towards Loughrigg, finishing near Pine Rigg. Town pavements, then a surfaced lane and a compacted bridleway, with about 160 m of climbing. Lee walked it with family and a pram in April 2023.
Ambleside to Wray Castle Start 2.9 km away6.54 km~189 m~1½–2¼ hEasy: distance, steepness and navigation🏞️ Easy & familyWalked April 2023One-way: finishes at Wray Castle · Start: Ambleside, Low Fold (paid) · Bus: 555, 360 m walk from Ambleside, at Hayes Garden CentreA one-way walk of about 6.5 km from the centre of Ambleside to Wray Castle above the north-west shore of Windermere: over the Bronwen Nixon footbridge, through Clappersgate and across Brathay Bridge, then by cycle path, compacted bridleway and a quiet lane over Low Wray Bridge. Lee walked it with family and a pram in April 2023.
Sour Howes, Sallows, Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick and Troutbeck Tongue in the sun! Start 2.9 km away27.56 km~1424 m~7¾–10½ hSevere effort Severe: distanceWalked April 2025Park: Ambleside, Low Fold (paid) · Bus: 555 at the startThe longest day in this group — 27.6 km and 1,424 m over six tops of the Kentmere and Troutbeck skyline, with a steepest sustained descent of about 30%. Severe for length, hard for terrain and exposure; about 7¾–10½ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest descent, about 33% over 250 m. Exposure and terrain: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
Ambleside to the Old Post Office Tea Room, Troutbeck (over Wansfell) Start 3 km away9.89 km~547 m~2¾–4 hModerate effort Severe: steepnessPlannedPark: Ambleside, Low Fold (paid) · Bus: 555 at the startA proper half-day loop with a reward built in: drop into pretty Troutbeck for tea and cake at the Old Post Office Tea Room, then climb over Wansfell Pike for a huge view down Windermere and back down to Ambleside. Around 550 m of up and down.
Wansfell Pike and Baystones Start 3 km away11.92 km~560 m~3¼–4½ hModerate effort Hard: steepnessWalked June 2023Park: Ambleside, Low Fold (paid) · Bus: 555 at the startThe pair above Ambleside — 11.9 km and 560 m, stages averaging about 12% with a 33% pull over 250 m onto Wansfell Pike, and easy for both navigation and exposure. A straightforward half-day at about 3¼–4½ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 31%. Exposure and navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
Elterwater & Skelwith Force Start 3.6 km away7.6 km~164 m~1¾–2½ hModerate: navigation🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA riverside walk from pretty Elterwater past Skelwith Force to the reedy shores of Elter Water, with the Langdale Pikes filling the skyline — gentle, varied and largely level.
Lingmoor Fell from Elterwater Start 3.6 km away11.51 km~489 m~3–4¼ hModerate effort Moderate: distance, steepness, terrain, navigation and exposurePlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startThe best low fell in Langdale, and the one that shows you the valley properly. Lingmoor sits between Great and Little Langdale, so the Pikes rear up across the dale in front of you the whole way along the ridge. Side Pike at the far end throws in a famous rock squeeze. Half the effort of the big Langdale rounds and arguably a better view of them.
Elterwater riverside loop Start 3.6 km away4.25 km~91 m~1–1½ hModerate: terrain🏞️ Easy & familyPlannedPark: Elterwater (NT, paid) · Bus: 516 at the startA short loop from Elterwater village, partly beside Great Langdale Beck — easy, pretty and quick, with the Langdale Pikes ahead. A gentle leg-stretch or a lazy family afternoon.
Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass Start 5 km away5.85 km~602 m~2–3 hModerate effort Severe: steepnessPlannedPark: Red Pit (LDNPA, free) · Bus: 508, 920 m walk from Kirkstone, outside Pass InnA short, steep round of about 5.9 km from Kirkstone Pass with about 600 m of climbing: from the top of the pass straight up to Red Screes, along the ridge to Middle Dodd, then down Middle Dodd’s very steep north ridge and back up the valley beside the A592 to Red Pit car park.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 44%.

Fells within about 5 km

Nab Scar 1 km away450 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusMarginal · 54 · rated on 27 OctoberDryNab Scar at 450m (1,476ft) is the steep, rocky escarpment directly above Rydal Water.
Loughrigg Fell 1.8 km away335 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusMarginal · 40 · rated on 27 OctoberSummit likely clagged inLoughrigg Fell at 335m (1,099ft) is one of the most beloved and visited fells in the Lake District, a complex heathery mass rising between Ambleside, Grasmere and Elterwater.
Low Pike 2 km away508 m~2½–3 h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsLow Pike at 508m (1,667ft) is a Wainwright summit in the Eastern Fells, the first top on the Scandale ridge rising above Ambleside towards High Pike and Dove Crag.
Heron Pike (Rydal) 2 km away612 m~4¾–6 h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHeron Pike at 612m (2,008ft) is near the southern end of the Fairfield Horseshoe ridge above Rydal, its rocky summit giving excellent views across Windermere and south to Morecambe Bay.
High Pike (Scandale) 2.9 km away657 m~4¾–6 h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHigh Pike at 657m (2,156ft), above Scandale, is a grassy summit with rocky outcrops at the top, on the ridge above Ambleside north of Low Pike, giving wide views south across Windermere and north to the Fairfield group.
Stone Arthur 3.2 km away504 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsStone Arthur at 504m (1,654ft) is a craggy rock outcrop on the ridge above Grasmere, its small but distinctive summit giving one of the finest low-level views over Grasmere and Rydal Water in the whole district.
Silver How 3.6 km away394 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusMarginal · 53 · rated on 27 OctoberDrySilver How at 394m (1,292ft) is a delightful, rocky little summit above Grasmere and Chapel Stile, its summit giving one of the finest views of Grasmere and the surrounding fells from any low-level viewpoint in the district.
Great Rigg 4.1 km away766 m~3½–4¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsGreat Rigg at 766m (2,514ft) is the subsidiary summit on the Fairfield Horseshoe between Fairfield and Heron Pike, a broad ridge top looking down the Rydal valley to the wooded country south towards Ambleside.
Dove Crag 4.3 km away792 m~3½–4¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsDove Crag at 792m (2,598ft) takes its name from the impressive cliff on its eastern face above Dovedale — a favourite with rock climbers and a dramatic feature visible from the valley below.
Red Screes 4.3 km away779 m~3½–4¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsRed Screes at 779m (2,555ft) stands dramatically above the Kirkstone Pass, its steep red scree slopes giving the fell its name and making it one of the most recognisable profiles above the A592.Hazard notes checked by Lee McCoy: Red Screes (13 June 2026); they draw on Patterdale Mountain Rescue Team.
Baystones (Wansfell) 4.4 km away487 m~2½–3 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40 · rated on 27 OctoberSummit likely clagged inBaystones at 487m (1,597ft) is the highest point of the Wansfell ridge above Ambleside and its Wainwright summit, giving outstanding views of Windermere and the Central Fells.
Helm Crag 4.5 km away405 m~2–2½ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHelm Crag at 405m (1,329ft) is one of the most famous and distinctive summits in Lakeland — the jagged, rocky outline known as 'The Lion and the Lamb' visible from Grasmere below.
Little Hart Crag (West Top) 4.6 km away637 m~3¼–4¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsLittle Hart Crag at 637m (2,090ft) is the rocky subsidiary summit above the Dovedale valley, giving excellent views down to Brothers Water and across to Red Screes.
Middle Dodd 4.9 km away654 m~3¼–4¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsMiddle Dodd at 654m (2,146ft) is the grassy northern ridge of Red Screes above the Kirkstone Pass, its open summit giving fine views of the pass road and the Hartsop valley below.
Hart Crag 5 km away823 m~3½–4¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHart Crag at 823m (2,700ft) is the rocky summit at the northern end of the Fairfield ridge above Dovedale, giving excellent views down the crag-girt hollow of Dovedale to Hartsop and Brothers Water below.

None of the fells here are rated good to climb on 27 October — see fells to save for a bad day →
A prediction from our daily fell score, not a guarantee — always check the mountain forecast before you go. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (opens in new tab).

Map

● routes · ● fells within ~5 km

Distances are straight-line from the centre of Rydal Water — ‘within ~5 km’ means as the crow flies, not that the walk necessarily starts there. Always plan your own route and check the bus before you travel.