Walks from Kirkstone Pass
The walks you can reach from Kirkstone Pass — 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 Kirkstone Pass guide for parking, buses and where to stay.
7 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 Kirkstone Pass
- Fairfield Horseshoe 4.3 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 4.3 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.
- Loughrigg Terrace & Rydal Water 4.4 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.
- The Royal Oak Pub Walk (Ambleside) 4.4 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.
- Ambleside, Todd Crag, Rydal Cave 4.5 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 4.6 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.
- Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, Thornthwaite Crag and Gray Crag 4.8 km away10 km~832 m~3.4 hFour tops above Hartsop in 10 km with 832 m of climbing, including a stage averaging 35% — as steep as anything on the site. Severe for steepness but only moderate for navigation and exposure. About 3.4 hours.
- Long Hike to Fairfield from Ambleside 4.8 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.
- Angletarn Pikes and the Martindale round 4.8 km away22.2 km~1349 m~6.7 hHard🏞️ EasyA long, quiet circuit of the Far Eastern fells above Patterdale — over Rest Dodd and out to the remote peak of The Nab, then back across Brock Crags to the twin tops of Angletarn Pikes, and home over Beda Fell and Place Fell. Twenty-two kilometres and six summits in some of the emptiest country in the National Park.
- Brock Crags, Angletarn Pikes, Beda Fell & Place Fell 4.8 km away19.7 km~1070 m~5.7 hHard🏞️ EasyA big, varied Far Eastern round above Patterdale and the quiet Boredale and Bannerdale valleys — over Brock Crags to lovely Angle Tarn (one of the prettiest sheets of water in the Lakes), along the grassy whaleback of Beda Fell, and up characterful Place Fell for its superb view down Ullswater. Nearly 20 km and a proper day out, but rarely hard underfoot.
- Caudale Moor & St Raven's Edge 4.8 km away13 km~724 m~3.8 hHartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike and the Caudale Moor tops — four summits in 13 km with 724 m of climbing, and one stage averaging 35%, which ties the steepest on the site. Hard for navigation and exposure; about 3.8 hours.
- Sour Howes, Sallows, Yoke, Ill Bell, Froswick and Troutbeck Tongue in the sun! 4.9 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.
- Wansfell Pike and Baystones 4.9 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.
- Finishing of the Far Eastern Fells 5 km away22.5 km~1279 m~6.6 hRest Dodd, The Nab, Brock Crags and the Angletarn Pikes — six tops in 22.5 km with 1,279 m of climbing. Severe for both length and steepness and hard for navigation and exposure: about 6.6 hours and a full day out.
Fells within about 5 km
- Red Screes 0.7 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.
- Middle Dodd 1.4 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.
- Little Hart Crag (West Top) 2.3 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.
- Stony Cove Pike (Caudale Moor) 2.4 km away764 m~3.5 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inStony Cove Pike at 764m (2,507ft), also known as Caudale Moor, is a Wainwright summit in the Far Eastern Fells above the Kirkstone Pass, its broad summit plateau giving extensive views across the eastern fells and towards the Pennines.
- High Hartsop Dodd 2.6 km away519 m~2.5 h🚌 BusDecent · 71DryHigh Hartsop Dodd at 519m (1,703ft) is a small, grassy summit above Hartsop village, its top giving good views of Brothers Water and the lower Patterdale valley.
- Troutbeck Tongue 2.8 km away364 m~2 h🚌 BusDecent · 62DryTroutbeck Tongue at 364m (1,194ft) is a long, narrow ridge jutting into the Troutbeck valley, its summit giving fine views of the valley and the Ill Bell ridge above.
- High Pike (Scandale) 2.8 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.
- Low Pike 2.8 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.
- Baystones (Wansfell) 3.1 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.
- Froswick 3.4 km away720 m~3 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inFroswick at 720m (2,362ft) is the middle summit of the Ill Bell ridge above Troutbeck, a pointed peak with a surprisingly shapely profile when viewed from the Troutbeck valley below.
- Dove Crag 3.5 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.
- Thornthwaite Crag 3.5 km away784 m~3.5 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inThornthwaite Crag at 784m (2,572ft) is one of the most distinctive summits in the Far Eastern Fells, capped by a massive stone beacon — a tall, cylindrical pillar visible from miles around.
- Ill Bell 3.5 km away757 m~3.5 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inIll Bell at 757m (2,484ft) is the highest of the classic Kentmere Horseshoe ridge, a shapely, rocky summit with a wonderful collection of cairns and fine views south to Windermere and the Kent estuary.
- Hartsop Dodd 3.7 km away619 m~2.5 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inHartsop Dodd at 618m (2,028ft) is a grassy ridge summit above Hartsop village, its long slope rising to a broad top with fine views of Brothers Water and the Patterdale valley below.
- Yoke 3.9 km away707 m~3 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inYoke at 706m (2,316ft) is the southernmost summit of the Ill Bell ridge, a grassy shoulder above Troutbeck with fine views south to Windermere.
- Hartsop Above How (Gill Crag) 4.2 km away586 m~2.5 h🚌 BusDecent · 64DryHartsop above How at 586m (1,923ft) is a long, grassy ridge above the Hartsop valley, its summit giving good views down Brothers Water and across to Place Fell.
- Gray Crag 4.3 km away698 m~3 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inGray Crag at 638m (2,093ft) stands above Hayeswater and Hartsop, its steep eastern face dropping to the Hayeswater valley in a series of crags.
- Hart Crag 4.5 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.
- Heron Pike (Rydal) 4.5 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.
- Nab Scar 4.7 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.
- High Street 4.9 km away828 m~5 hMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inHigh Street at 828m (2,717ft) takes its name from the Roman road that ran along its broad summit ridge — an ancient highway traversed by legions and drovers alike for 2,000 years.
- Mardale Ill Bell 5 km away761 m~3.5 hMarginal · 40Summit likely clagged inMardale Ill Bell at 760m (2,495ft) is the southern end of the High Street massif above Mardale Head, a rocky summit with fine views of Haweswater and the Kentmere Horseshoe.
Distances are straight-line from the centre of Kirkstone Pass — ‘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.