Fairfield Horseshoe

Rydal (or Ambleside) → Nab Scar (2.4 km, 403 m)

Climb of about 403 m over 2.4 km (around 17% average).

Decision point: From Pelter Bridge car park turn left past the Cote How venue, then take the next right through the gate and on through the next. At the fork bear right to the bridge over the Rothay, cross the road and turn left into Dora's Field and through the church grounds. At the small road (parking bollards) turn left up the incline, then take the track left by Hart Head Cottage and follow the signs up. Keep the wall close on the steep pitched ascent - it shelters you from any westerly.

Easy to get wrong: A sustained, steep pull with no real let-up. At Nab Scar's summit the crags drop steeply above Rydal Water - stay well back from the edge.

Nab Scar → Heron Pike (Rydal) (1.1 km, 156 m)

Climb of about 156 m over 1.1 km (around 14% average).

Decision point: Follow the clear, cairned ridge north and keep heading up - you can't really go wrong as the ridge narrows pleasantly to Heron Pike, where the full horseshoe opens up.

Easy to get wrong: The odd boggy patch underfoot, and the wind tends to pick up along here - be ready to add a layer.

Heron Pike (Rydal) → Heron Pike North Top (Rydal Fell) (0.4 km, 4 m)

Undulating section of about 0.4 km.

Decision point: Continue north along the broad grassy crest; the path is unmistakable over the minor top of Rydal Fell.

Easy to get wrong: A precipitous drop on the right at Erne Crag - keep to the main path.

Heron Pike North Top (Rydal Fell) → Great Rigg (1.8 km, 159 m)

Climb of about 159 m over 1.8 km (around 9% average).

Decision point: Beyond Rydal Fell the path bends gently left and eases into a long, steady, manageable climb to Great Rigg.

Great Rigg → Fairfield (1.4 km, 141 m)

Climb of about 141 m over 1.4 km (around 10% average).

Decision point: A slight drop, then the final push to the day's high point. The ground roughens noticeably - exposed rock and loose stone - onto Fairfield's broad stony summit plateau with its cairns and wind shelters.

Fairfield → Hart Crag (1.2 km, 5 m)

Descent of about 77 m over 1.2 km.

Decision point: Leaving Fairfield you must turn EAST (left, if you came up from Great Rigg) and pick out the cairned path; it drops quickly and stonily to a narrow hause at the head of Rydale, then climbs to Hart Crag (the rocky summit is a few steps south of the GPX line).

Easy to get wrong: The most critical navigation point on the route. Fairfield's plateau is broad and featureless and in mist is genuinely confusing, with steep craggy drops on most sides - carry a compass and a GPS with the route loaded, and use them. The rock can be greasy when wet.

Hart Crag → Dove Crag (1.1 km, 30 m)

Undulating section of about 1.1 km.

Decision point: Descend the awkward ridge to a grassy depression and meet a wall - keep it on your left from here; it is your guide for the rest of the walk. Follow it up to Dove Crag, where the route turns south-west for home.

Easy to get wrong: The most awkward section of the descent - rock that's easy to slip on wet or dry, and easy to turn an ankle. Take your time.

Dove Crag → High Pike (Scandale) (1.7 km, 1 m)

Descent of about 137 m over 1.7 km.

Decision point: Continue south along the wall; the terrain eases to a simple path down a shallower grassy gradient. Keep close to the wall.

Easy to get wrong: Light rocky scrambles at High Pike - good fun in the dry; in bad weather take the path around them on the east side.

High Pike (Scandale) → Low Pike (1.1 km, 0 m)

Descent of about 165 m over 1.1 km.

Decision point: Stay beside the wall over Low Pike - more light scrambling, with an easier path round the east side in poor conditions.

Easy to get wrong: Deep bog just above Low Brock Crags, marked with a 'Warning Deep Bog' sign - pick your line carefully and test each step with a pole. You can cross to the west side on a ladder stile, or make a wide sweep to the east.

Low Pike → Finish (4.8 km, 26 m)

Descent of about 415 m over 4.8 km.

Decision point: Drop down the direct line to Low Sweden Bridge - rougher underfoot, with a short downclimb (the gentler alternative is the footpath left to High Sweden Coppice, which avoids the scrambly outcrops). Follow the farm track down as it becomes a lane; don't cross Scandale Beck onto Nook Lane - instead bear north to Rydal Hall's walled gardens and cafe, or carry on to the A591 and walk north under half a mile, turning left over the River Rothay back to the car park.

Easy to get wrong: The Low Sweden Bridge line includes a short downclimb and is rougher than the High Sweden Coppice path.