Walks from Ambleside
The walks you can reach from Ambleside — 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 Ambleside guide for parking, buses and where to stay.
Walking routes near Ambleside
- Long Hike to Fairfield from Ambleside 0.1 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! 0.2 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) 0.3 km away9.9 km~546 m~2.9 hModerate🏞️ Easy & familyA 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.
- Stock Ghyll Force 0.3 km away2 km~90 m~0.5 h🏞️ Easy & familyA 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.
- Wansfell Pike and Baystones 0.3 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.
- Ambleside, Todd Crag, Rydal Cave 0.4 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.
- The Royal Oak Pub Walk (Ambleside) 0.6 km away5.9 km~68 m~1.3 h🏞️ Easy & familyAn 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 0.6 km away10.7 km~288 m~2.6 h🏞️ Easy & familyA 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.
- Fairfield Horseshoe 2.2 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.
- Rydal Water & Rydal Caves 2.2 km away6.5 km~216 m~1.7 h🏞️ Easy & familyA 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.
- Wray Castle & the Windermere west shore 3.1 km away9.6 km~114 m~2.1 h🏞️ Easy & familyA roughly 6-mile circular taking in the mock-Gothic Wray Castle and the quiet western shore of Windermere. A varied, low-level day — flat underfoot but a fair distance.
- Capple Howe & Sallows 3.9 km away8.7 km~480 m~2.5 hSour Howes, Capple Howe and Sallows above Troutbeck — three modest tops in 8.7 km with 480 m of climbing and one stage averaging 16%. Rated hard to navigate; about two and a half hours.
- Grasmere to Easdale Tarn 4.8 km away9.5 km~237 m~2.3 h🏞️ Easy & familyOne 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 4.8 km away5.7 km~95 m~1.3 h🏞️ Easy & familyA 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 4.8 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 4.8 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.
- Helm Crag & Far Easedale 4.8 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.
- Stone Arthur from Grasmere 4.8 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.
- Elterwater riverside loop 4.8 km away4.3 km~91 m~1 h🏞️ Easy & familyA 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.
- Lingmoor Fell from Elterwater 4.9 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 & Skelwith Force 4.9 km away7.6 km~164 m~1.8 h🏞️ Easy & familyA 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.
- Loughrigg Tarn & Loughrigg Fell 4.9 km away9.8 km~382 m~2.6 hModerate🏞️ Easy & familyA 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
- Baystones (Wansfell) 2.9 km away487 m~2.5 h🚌 BusSave it · 23Summit likely clagged inBaystones at 487m (1,598ft) is the north top of the Wansfell ridge above Ambleside, giving outstanding views of Windermere and the Central Fells.
- Loughrigg Fell 3.1 km away335 m~2 h🚌 BusSave it · 28Summit 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 3.7 km away508 m~2.5 h🚌 BusSave it · 21Summit likely clagged inLow 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.
- Nab Scar 3.7 km away450 m~2 h🚌 BusSave it · 27Summit likely clagged inNab 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.
- Black Fell 4.4 km away323 m~2 h🚌 BusMarginal · 35Firm underfootBlack Fell at 323m (1,060ft) is a small, heathery summit above Tarn Hows, its top giving fine views of this most popular of Lakeland beauty spots.
- Heron Pike (Rydal) 4.7 km away612 m~3 h🚌 BusSave it · 19Too windy for the topsHeron 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) 4.7 km away657 m~3 h🚌 BusSave it · 19Too windy for the topsHigh 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.
0 of the fells here are rated good to climb on 12 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.
Distances are straight-line from the centre of Ambleside — ‘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.