The Fairfield Horseshoe walk is one of the most famous and popular hikes in the Lake District. It is an 18km (11.2 mi) journey that will take you roughly 6 to 8 hours to complete. This is a challenging horseshoe-shaped walk (c.1,000m / 3280ft ascent), which takes you on a tour of some of the Lake District’s most beautiful fells.
You will go through some of the most typical landscape Cumbria has to offer: large ridges covered with grassy summits that will remind you of alpine pastures.
The walk begins at Ambleside and heads towards Rydal Mount (the historic home of William Wordsworth). You climb to Heron Pike and then onto Great Rigg and Fairfield before returning to Ambleside via Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike.
The views are spectacular, with Rydal Water, Grasmere, Lake Windermere and Coniston Water visible from the peaks.
Fairfield Horseshoe, the basics
General information about the walk
There is no specific season for the Fairfield Horseshoe as it is accessible all year long. That said, sunny days are rare, and you will want to avoid days where clouds are touching the summits. It would highly decrease the general interest of the walk, blocking the panoramic and scenic views.
The paths are well defined; however, one should take care of Fairfield’s summit where in poor visibility, there is the danger of steep drops to the north and west. You will not find any specific difficulty or challenge.
Equipment for the Fairfield Horseshoe
Some of the key things you may want to bring with you:
- Walking Boots
- Waterproof Jacket and trousers
- Rucksack
- Warm tops
- Spare clothing
- Hat & Gloves
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Packed lunch
- Water bottle/Thermos Flask
- Torch and whistle
The walk
The ascent
Take north in the direction to Rydal. There are two options, following the road all along or taking a path on the right after Scandale Bridge.
In the centre of Rydal, take the steep path going through the valley, going up north. Leave it to take another way on the left that goes up among ferns. You will aim for the first mount of the day: Nab Scar. Going out of the ferns, you will now enjoy a more open view of Rydall Water and the valley of Ambleside.
The footpath is now clear. It will continue towards the next peak: Heron Pike. From the top, you will be able to see the entire itinerary. The long route follows the ridges to Great Rigg and then Fairfield, which marks Rydel Fell’s end. You will go back down through Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike.
Fairfield’s summit is large and flat. You will see some small walls made of stones. To the east, you will enjoy a fantastic view of the large valleys. To the north, you will see the small lake of Grisedale Tarn as well as of Helvellyn.
The descent
Take the footpath south-east that goes towards Dove Crag. It is a bit steeper and rockier than the others. You will then follow a beautiful wall, which is particularly handy when the visibility is poor.
You will go down to High Pike, then towards Low Pike, where the little wall follows the ridges like a miniature version of China’s Great Wall. Go on towards the ferns; you will soon join beautiful pastures among the trees where you will follow a path leading back to Ambleside.
Wainwright’s fells on the Fairfield Horseshoe
The route is an eight summit circuit of the ridges around the breathtaking valley that surround Rydal Beck. You will be able to find a more exhaustive list of the highest mountains in England in our dedicated article Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England.
Nab Scar – 440 metres
Nab Scar is a fell in the English Lake District, which stands above Rydal Water. Its summit bears a large cairn. The view westwards is extensive, with the Central Fells seen to particular effect.
Heron Pike – 612 metres
Heron Pike is a fell in the English Lake District, two kilometres east of Grasmere. It is part of the Fairfield group in the Eastern Fells. It should not be confused with the Heron Pike that forms part of Sheffield Pike, although it appears that, by coincidence, both Heron Pikes are the same height.
Ascents of the fell start either from Rydal or Grasmere; the ascent from Grasmere allows you to visit Alcock Tarn after a short detour. However, most walkers who visit Heron Pike do so either on the way to or on the way back from Fairfield’s main fell.
Great Rigg – 766 metres
Great Rigg is a fell in the English Lake District, 7 kilometres (4½ miles) north-north-west of Ambleside and reaching a height of 766 metres (2,513 feet). It is most often climbed as part of the Fairfield horseshoe.
However, a direct ascent of sorts can be done from Grasmere up the south-west ridge taking in Stone Arthur on the way. You can continue the walk to Fairfield and Seat Sandal before returning to Grasmere to complete a 10-km circular walk.
Fairfield – 873 metres
Fairfield is one of the most popular fells in the Lake District (England, UK) because of the multiple hiking routes it offers. It is most commonly climbed as the high point of the Fairfield horseshoe.
Hart Crag – 822 metres
Hart Crag is a fell in the English Lake District, one of the Fairfield group of hills in the Eastern Fells.
The summit of Hart Crag has a covering of rock with rich turf showing through. Two cairns mark the ends of a short ridge running along the top, with other cairns giving guidance to Deepdale and Dovedale’s viewpoints. The highest point is at the south-eastern end of the summit area, a little to the west of the main path. The view is good westward to the Scafells and toward the Far Eastern Fells, but Fairfield and Dove Crag obscure much of the District.
Dove Crag – 792 metres
Dove Crag is a fell in the English Lake District. In the Eastern Fells of the national park, seven kilometres south-south-west of Glenridding, it reaches a height of 792 metres (2,598 feet).
One would climb Dove Crag as part of the Fairfield horseshoe walk, but a direct ascent from Patterdale is required to show the fell’s full potential, displaying the impressive crags just to the northeast of the summit.
High Pike – 656 metres
High Pike is a fell in the English Lake District, five kilometres north of Ambleside. High Pike reaches a height of 656 metres (2,152 ft). It is sometimes referred to as Scandale Fell, although this name only applies to the high ground at the head of Scandale.
High Pike is often climbed as part of the Fairfield horseshoe walk. The ascent from Ambleside leaves the centre of the town to the north.
Low Pike – 508 metres
Low Pike is a small fell in the English Lake District. It has a modest height of 508 m (1,667 ft) and is three kilometres north of Ambleside. Low Pike is well seen from the town’s streets as the first prominent fell on the ridge, which continues northwards for a further four kilometres to Fairfield. This ridge is part of the Fairfield horseshoe walk, and Low Pike is most commonly climbed as part of this.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fairfield Horseshoe
How long does the Fairfield Horseshoe take?
The Fairfield Horseshoe walk will take you approximately 6 to 8 hours. It is 18km (11.2 mi) long with a substantial elevation (c.1,000m / 3280ft ascent), making the walk more challenging.
Where is the Fairfield Horseshoe?
Fairfield Horseshoe is taking you from Ambleside towards Rydal Mount to Fairfield Peak and back to Ambleside. It is located in the Lake District, in England (United Kingdom).
How many Wainwright fells are on Fairfield Horseshoe?
The Fairfield Horseshoe walk will take you on top of 8 Wainwright fells (Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike).
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