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Walks near Kirkstone Pass

19 routes and 22 fells within about 5 km of Kirkstone Pass, 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.

Walking routes near Kirkstone Pass

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.

• Red Screes from Kirkstone Pass →Start 0.7 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%.
• Fairfield Horseshoe →Start 4.3 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.
• Rydal Water & Rydal Caves →Start 4.3 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 4.4 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.
• The Royal Oak Pub Walk (Ambleside) →Start 4.4 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.
• Ambleside to Rydal, with Refreshments and Stepping Stones →Start 4.5 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.
• Troutbeck Tongue from Troutbeck →Start 4.5 km away10.52 km~519 m~2¾–4 hModerate effort Hard: steepnessPlannedPark: unnamed layby north-west of Sour Howes · Bus: 508 at the start
• Ambleside, Todd Crag, Rydal Cave →Start 4.5 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.
• Stock Ghyll Force →Start 4.6 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%.
• Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, Thornthwaite Crag and Gray Crag →Start 4.8 km away10 km~858 m~3¼–4¾ hModerate effort Severe: steepnessWalked February 2025Park: Hartsop village (donation) · Bus: 508, 590 m walk from Hartsop, adjacent to road endFour tops above Hartsop in 10 km with 858 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 3¼–4¾ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 51%. Exposure and navigation: graded by Lee on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Long Hike to Fairfield from Ambleside →Start 4.8 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.
• Angletarn Pikes and the Martindale round →Start 4.8 km away22.23 km~1402 m~6¾–9¼ hSevere effort Severe: distanceWalked in partPark: Hartsop village (donation) · Bus: 508, 560 m walk from Hartsop, adjacent to road endA long 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.
• Brock Crags, Angletarn Pikes, Beda Fell & Place Fell →Start 4.8 km away19.71 km~1072 m~5½–7¾ hHard effort Hard: distance and steepnessWalked in partPark: Hartsop village (donation) · Bus: 508, 580 m walk from Hartsop, adjacent to road endA big, varied Far Eastern round above Patterdale and the Boredale and Bannerdale valleys — over Brock Crags to Angle Tarn, along the grassy whaleback of Beda Fell, and up Place Fell for its view down Ullswater. Nearly 20 km and a proper day out, but rarely hard underfoot.
• Caudale Moor & St Raven's Edge →Start 4.8 km away12.96 km~732 m~3¾–5¼ hModerate effort Severe: steepnessPlannedPark: Hartsop village (donation) · Bus: 508, 570 m walk from Hartsop, adjacent to road endHartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike and the Caudale Moor tops — four summits in 13 km with 732 m of climbing, and one stage averaging 35%, which ties the steepest on the site. Hard to navigate; about 3¾–5¼ hours.Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 50%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.
• Ambleside over Miller Bridge →Start 4.8 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 4.9 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 4.9 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.
• Wansfell Pike and Baystones →Start 4.9 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.
• Finishing of the Far Eastern Fells →Start 5 km away22.5 km~1294 m~6½–9 hSevere effort Severe: distanceWalked August 2026One-way: finishes 2.9 km from the start in a straight line · Start: Cow Bridge, Hartsop (paid) · Bus: 508 at the startRest Dodd, The Nab, Brock Crags and the Angletarn Pikes — six tops in 22.5 km with 1,294 m of climbing. Severe for length, hard for steepness and to navigate: about 6½–9 hours and a full day out.Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained descent, about 31%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground. Summary checked by Lee McCoy, 26 August 2026.

Fells within about 5 km

• Red Screes →0.7 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.
• Middle Dodd →1.4 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.
• Little Hart Crag (West Top) →2.3 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.
• Stony Cove Pike (Caudale Moor) →2.4 km away764 m~3½–4¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsStony Cove Pike at 764m (2,506ft), 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~3¼–4¼ h🚌 BusDecent · 55 · rated on 27 OctoberDryHigh 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~2¾–4 h🚌 BusMarginal · 40 · rated on 27 OctoberSummit likely clagged inTroutbeck 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~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.
• Low Pike →2.8 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.
• Baystones (Wansfell) →3.1 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.
• Froswick →3.4 km away720 m~5½–7 h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsFroswick at 720m (2,362ft) is the northernmost of the three summits 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~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.
• Thornthwaite Crag →3.5 km away784 m~3½–4¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsThornthwaite 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~3½–4¼ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsIll Bell at 757m (2,484ft) is the highest of the three tops of the Ill Bell ridge, between Yoke and Froswick, 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~2½–3 h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHartsop Dodd at 619m (2,031ft) 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~5½–7 h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsYoke at 707m (2,320ft) 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~3½–4½ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHartsop 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~3¼–4¾ h🚌 BusSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsGray Crag at 698m (2,290ft) 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~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.
• Heron Pike (Rydal) →4.5 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.
• Nab Scar →4.7 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.
• High Street →4.9 km away829 m~5–6 hSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsHigh Street at 829m (2,718ft) takes its name from the Roman road that ran along its broad summit ridge, later a drovers' route.
• Mardale Ill Bell →5 km away761 m~3½–4¼ hSave it · 20 · rated on 27 OctoberToo windy for the topsMardale Ill Bell at 761m (2,497ft) is the southern end of the High Street massif above Mardale Head, a rocky summit with fine views of Haweswater and the Kentmere Horseshoe.

1 of the fells here are rated good to climb on 27 October — see live conditions →
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).

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.