Fairfield Horseshoe

[Phooooey]

Fairfield Horseshoe
Rydal Bridge - Nab Scar - Heron Pike - Great Rigg - Fairfield - Hart Crag - Dove Crag - High Pike - Low Pike - Rydal Park - Rydal Bridge

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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.

Nab Scar from Rydal Mount

Damson & Rydal Water

The uphill sections on this side of Rydal Valley are fairly tough going and energy sapping especially Great Rigg.

Heron Pike

Great Rigg

The views out to Helvellyn over Dollywagon Pike & out over St. Sundays Crag are spectacular from Fairfield.

Helvellyn from Fairfield

St Sundays Crag 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.

Heading out 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).

Tough Descent

View from High Pike

Damson on High Pike

Damson takes a rest on stile at Low Pike

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.

Rydal Park

This is a classic in the heart of Lakeland and should not be missed by anybody fit enough to take the challenge.

Fairfield Horseshoe from Heron Pike

[ChrisW]

What a beautiful looking walk, some great pics of the stunning scenery too

[Phooooey]

Cheers Chris,
It's amazing what a bit of nice weather does to improve your photos.

[skuk007]

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.

[Derek T]

I did the same round this afternoon! Will post a report and photos later tonight

[Phooooey]

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.