Walks from Stock Ghyll Force
The walks you can reach from Stock Ghyll Force — 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 Stock Ghyll Force 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 Stock Ghyll Force
- Loughrigg Terrace & Rydal Water 0.4 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.
- Ambleside, Todd Crag, Rydal Cave 0.5 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.
- The Royal Oak Pub Walk (Ambleside) 0.5 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.
- Stock Ghyll Force 0.5 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.
- Long Hike to Fairfield from Ambleside 0.7 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! 0.8 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 0.8 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 to the Old Post Office Tea Room, Troutbeck (over Wansfell) 0.9 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.
- Fairfield Horseshoe 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 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.
- Wray Castle & the Windermere west shore 3.8 km away9.6 km~114 m~2.1 h🏞️ EasyA 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 3.8 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 4.7 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 4.7 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 4.7 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Fells within about 5 km
- Baystones (Wansfell) 2.4 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.
- Low Pike 3.2 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.
- Loughrigg Fell 3.3 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.
- Nab Scar 3.5 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 Pike (Scandale) 4.1 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.
- Heron Pike (Rydal) 4.3 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.
- Red Screes 4.4 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.
- Troutbeck Tongue 4.6 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.
- Sour Howes 5 km away483 m~2.5 h🚌 BusDecent · 69Dry, light windsSour Howes at 483m (1,585ft) is a broad, grassy summit above Troutbeck with good views south to Windermere.
Distances are straight-line from the centre of Stock Ghyll Force — ‘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.