Fairfield Horseshoe
Rydal Bridge - Nab Scar - Heron Pike - Great Rigg - Fairfield - Hart Crag - Dove Crag - High Pike - Low Pike - Rydal Park - Rydal Bridge
The sun tried all day to break through the hazy cloud which meant perfect fell walking weather as it never got too hot and the light breeze was very welcome on the uphill stretches.
An early start saw me as second car in the Rydal Bridge car park at about 8:30. This was packed to the rafters by the time I returned at 14:15 with Under Loughrigg & Rydal Park being very popular low level haunts in the sunshine.
The climb up Nab Scar from Rydal Hall was a fairly steep start but the views just keep getting better the higher you get ... the view back to Windermere was great today and the shot of Damson over Rydal Water was my favourite today. The uphill sections on this side of Rydal Valley are fairly tough going and energy sapping especially Great Rigg. The views out to Helvellyn over Dollywagon Pike & out over St. Sundays Crag are spectacular from Fairfield.
At Fairfield, after a wander about taking pics on the top we headed almost back on ourselves to the head of Hart Crag and the descent and ascent back up to Dove Crag. This looks steeper than it is and was comparatively easy compared to some of the previous tests. A long walk back following the wall over High & Low pikes followed, with some quite tricky, steep drops (I had to help Damson down on one section which is a first).
Just before Nook End Farm we cut right down Scandale Beck where Damson had a dip to cool off as the sun had finally broken through and was quite strong for our stroll back through Rydal Park and past the front of the hall.
This is a classic in the heart of Lakeland and should not be missed by anybody fit enough to take the challenge.
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Fairfield Horseshoe
Fairfield Horseshoe
by Phooooey » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:33 pm
Wainwrights included on this walk: Dove Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Hart Crag, Heron Pike, High Pike (Eastern Fells), Low Pike, Nab Scar
Hewitts included on this walk: Dove Crag, Fairfield, Great Rigg, Hart Crag
Date walked: 17/04/2011
Time taken: 5.5
Distance: 16 km
Ascent: 1048m
1 person thinks this report is great. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).Re: Fairfield Horseshoe
by ChrisW » Sun Apr 17, 2011 5:55 pm
What a beautiful looking walk, some great pics of the stunning scenery too 

Re: Fairfield Horseshoe
by Phooooey » Sun Apr 17, 2011 6:55 pm
Cheers Chris,
It's amazing what a bit of nice weather does to improve your photos.
It's amazing what a bit of nice weather does to improve your photos.

Re: Fairfield Horseshoe
by skuk007 » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:25 pm
Great pics, this is one of the best walks I've done in the Lakes so far. On a clear day like you had the views all over are pretty stunning.
Did it on a warm day but I particularly remember the cold wind blowing over the top of Fairfield which had me diving into my bag for hat and gloves pretty sharpish.
Did it on a warm day but I particularly remember the cold wind blowing over the top of Fairfield which had me diving into my bag for hat and gloves pretty sharpish.
Re: Fairfield Horseshoe
by Derek T » Sun Apr 17, 2011 9:46 pm
I did the same round this afternoon! Will post a report and photos later tonight 

Re: Fairfield Horseshoe
by Phooooey » Mon Apr 18, 2011 12:09 pm
Only needed to throw the fleece on yesterday. Weather was warm enough to not bother with gloves but a cap might have been advisable as my forehead is slightly red today.
Looking forward to seeing somebody elses pics of the same walk and to see if the drop off Low Pike was an adventure for them too.
Looking forward to seeing somebody elses pics of the same walk and to see if the drop off Low Pike was an adventure for them too.
1 person thinks this report is great. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
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