Walks by Rydal Water
The walks you can reach around Rydal Water — the routes that start within about 5 km, and the Wainwright and Outlying fells within the same radius, ranked 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.
8 of the fells here are rated good to climb on 11 September — see live conditions →
A prediction from our daily fell score, not a guarantee — always check the mountain forecast before you go.
Map
● routes · ● fells within ~5 km
An interactive map of the route start points and the fells within about 5 km. Each marker links to its page; the same routes and fells are listed below.
Walking routes near Rydal Water
- Rydal Water & Rydal Caves 0.6 km away6.5 km~216 m~1.7 h🏞️ EasyA gentle 4-mile circuit of Rydal Water, taking in the old slate cavern of Rydal Cave above the southern shore and returning along the wooded Coffin Route. Low-level and scenic, with one short rougher stretch near the cave.
- Fairfield Horseshoe 0.6 km away16.9 km~925 m~4.9 hModerateOne of the classic Lakeland rounds and a fine first big horseshoe. From the car park at Rydal it's a steady, moderate climb 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 tops, with Fairfield's broad summit the high point and Windermere laid out behind you on the descent.
- The Royal Oak Pub Walk (Ambleside) 2.2 km away5.9 km~68 m~1.3 hEasy🏞️ EasyAn 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.
- Loughrigg Terrace & Rydal Water 2.2 km away10.7 km~288 m~2.6 h🏞️ EasyA lake-and-terrace classic linking Grasmere and Rydal Water, taking in Rydal Cave, the old Coffin Route and the famous Loughrigg Terrace view down Grasmere. Easy-moderate, with a little climbing and some rougher ground.
- Grasmere to Easdale Tarn 2.3 km away9.5 km~237 m~2.3 hEasy🏞️ EasyOne of Lakeland’s loveliest short valley walks — from Grasmere village up the green trough of Easdale to its hidden tarn, ringed by crags with Sourmilk Gill tumbling down beside the path. Gentle underfoot with just enough climb to feel earned, and a firm favourite with dogs.
- Grasmere lake circuit 2.3 km away5.7 km~95 m~1.3 h🏞️ EasyA 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 4 miles, almost no climbing.
- Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag, Steel Fell and Tarn Crag 2.3 km away20.8 km~910 m~5.7 hThe 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.
- Castle How & Lang How - Birketts 2.3 km away10.9 km~445 m~2.9 hLang How, Swinescar Pike and Castle How on the knolly ground above Grasmere — 10.9 km and 445 m, nothing steeper than about 10% on average, but rated hard to navigate among the hummocks. Just under three hours.
- Stone Arthur from Grasmere 2.3 km away6.8 km~516 m~2.2 hThe steep little top above Grasmere, out and back in 6.8 km with 516 m of climbing. Easy for length, navigation and exposure — it is the gradient that makes it, rated hard. About 2.2 hours.
- Helm Crag & Far Easedale 2.3 km away15.9 km~850 m~4.6 hThe full skyline of Far Easedale from Grasmere — Helm Crag's rocky top first, then Gibson Knott, Calf Crag and Steel Fell around the rim of the valley. A long day at 15.9 km, and the head of Easedale can be vague in cloud.
- Ambleside, Todd Crag, Rydal Cave 2.4 km away10.4 km~392 m~2.7 hThe 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.
- Stock Ghyll Force 2.6 km away2 km~90 m~0.5 h🏞️ EasyA short, steep-sided woodland loop from the middle of Ambleside to the 70-foot Stock Ghyll Force — at its thundering best after rain, and easily tacked on to a town visit.
- West of Grasmere 2.6 km away15.4 km~806 m~4.4 hSix tops on the rough ground west of Grasmere — Tarn Crag, Codale Head, Sergeant Man, Blea Rigg and Swinescar Pike — in 15.4 km with 806 m of climbing. Hard for length and steepness; about 4.4 hours.
- Long Hike to Fairfield from Ambleside 2.9 km away22.4 km~1350 m~6.7 hA big horseshoe day from Ambleside — 1,350 m of ascent in 22.4 km, opening with a relentless 738 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.
- Sour Howes, Sallows, Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick and Troutbeck Tongue in the sun! 2.9 km away27.6 km~1395 m~7.8 hThe longest day in this group — 27.6 km and 1,395 m over six tops of the Kentmere and Troutbeck skyline, with nothing averaging steeper than about 9%. Severe for length, hard for terrain and exposure; about 7.8 hours.
- Ambleside to the Old Post Office Tea Room, Troutbeck (over Wansfell) 3 km away9.9 km~546 m~2.9 hModerate🏞️ EasyA proper half-day loop with a reward built in: climb out of Ambleside over Wansfell Pike for a huge view down Windermere, drop into pretty Troutbeck for tea and cake at the Old Post Office Tea Room, then circle back. Around 550 m of up and down — and dog-friendly throughout.
- Wansfell Pike and Baystones 3 km away11.9 km~534 m~3.3 hThe pair above Ambleside — 11.9 km and 534 m, nothing steeper than about 12% on average, and easy for both navigation and exposure. A straightforward half-day at about 3.3 hours.
- Elterwater & Skelwith Force 3.6 km away7.6 km~164 m~1.8 h🏞️ EasyA 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 3.6 km away11.5 km~487 m~3.1 hModerateThe 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 3.6 km away4.3 km~91 m~1 hEasy🏞️ EasyA short, near-level loop from Elterwater village along the River Brathay — easy, pretty and quick, with the Langdale Pikes ahead and plenty of water for a hot dog. A gentle leg-stretch or a lazy family afternoon.
- Loughrigg Tarn & Loughrigg Fell 3.6 km away9.8 km~382 m~2.6 hModerate🏞️ EasyA 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, endlessly varied, and grand for dogs.
Fells within about 5 km
- Nab Scar 1 km away450 m~2 h🚌 BusDecent · 70DryNab Scar at 450m (1,476ft) is the steep, rocky escarpment directly above Rydal Water, its craggy face one of the most recognisable profiles in the southern Lake District.
- Loughrigg Fell 1.8 km away335 m~2 h🚌 BusDecent · 68DryLoughrigg 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~2.5 h🚌 BusDecent · 66DryLow 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~3 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inHeron Pike at 612m (2,008ft) is 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~3 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inHigh Pike at 656m (2,152ft), above Scandale, is a broad grassy summit at the southern end of the ridge above Ambleside giving wide views south across Windermere and north to the Fairfield group.
- Stone Arthur 3.2 km away504 m~2 h🚌 BusDecent · 67DryStone Arthur at 500m (1,640ft) 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 h🚌 BusDecent · 74DrySilver How at 395m (1,296ft) 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~3.5 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inGreat Rigg at 766m (2,513ft) is the subsidiary summit on the Fairfield Horseshoe between Fairfield and Heron Pike, a broad ridge top that Wainwright described as giving one of the finest views of the Rydal valley and the wooded country south towards Ambleside.
- Dove Crag 4.3 km away792 m~3.5 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inDove 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~3.5 h🚌 BusDecent · 70Dry, firm underfootRed Screes at 779m (2,556ft) 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.
- Baystones (Wansfell) 4.4 km away487 m~2.5 h🚌 BusDecent · 63DryBaystones at 487m (1,598ft) is the north top of the Wansfell ridge above Ambleside, giving outstanding views of Windermere and the Central Fells.
- Helm Crag 4.5 km away405 m~2 h🚌 BusDecent · 70Dry, firm underfootHelm 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~3 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inLittle 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~3 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inMiddle Dodd at 654m (2,146ft) is the grassy ridge between Red Screes and Little Hart Crag 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~3.5 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inHart Crag at 822m (2,697ft) 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.
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.