Lilies and Lakes Seen from Loughrigg

Above little Ambleside, Loughrigg Fell looks out to lake, dale and high fell.

Distance 3.3 miles (5.3km)

Minimum time 1hr 45min

Ascent/gradient 575ft (175m)

Level of difficulty Medium

Paths Road, paths and tracks, can be muddy in places, 3 stiles

Landscape Town, park and open hillside with views to high fells

Suggested map aqua3 OS Explorer OL 7 The English Lakes (SE)

Start/finish NY 375047

Dog friendliness Under control; busy roads, park, sheep grazing

Parking Ambleside central car park

Public toilets At car park

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Directions
Background
Information

1 Take the wooden footbridge from the car park and go right, along the Rydal road to pass the waterwheel and Bridge House. At the junction bear right along Compston Road. Continue to the next junction, with the cinema on the corner, then bear right to cross the side road and enter Vicarage Road alongside the chip shop. Pass the school and enter Rothay Park. Follow the main path through the park to emerge by a flat bridge over Stock Ghyll Beck. Cross this then go left to cross over the stone arched Miller Bridge spanning the River Rothay.

2 Bear right along the road over the cattle grid until, in a few paces, a steep surfaced road rises to the left. Climb the road, which becomes unsurfaced, by the buildings of Brow Head. At the S-bend beyond the buildings, a stone stile leads up and off left. Pass through the trees to find, in a few dozen paces, a stone squeeze stile. Pass through this and climb the open hillside above. The paths are well worn and a variety of routes are possible. For the best views over Windermere keep diagonally left. Rising steeply at first, the path levels before rising again to ascend the first rocky knoll. A higher, larger knoll follows and offers definitive views of the Fairfield Horseshoe to the north and over Windermere to the south.

3 Beyond this, the way descends to the right, dropping to a well-defined path. Follow the path to pass a little pond before cresting a rise and falling to lovely little pocket-handkerchief Lily Tarn (flowers bloom late June to September). The path skirts the right edge of the tarn, roughly following the crest of Loughrigg Fell. A gate/stile leads to the base of a further knoll and this is ascended to another worthy viewpoint.

4 Take the path descending right to a track below. Bear right to a gate which leads through the stone wall boundary of the open fell and into a field. Continue to descend the track, passing an interesting building on the left, the old golf clubhouse. Intercept the original route just above the buildings of Brow Head.

5 Continue to cross Miller Bridge then, before the flat bridge, bear left to follow the track by the side of Stock Ghyll Beck. Beyond the meadows a lane through the houses leads to the main Rydal road. Bear right along the road to the car park beyond the fire station.

The favourite of many, Loughrigg is a delightful low fell, which runs from Ambleside and the head of Windermere lake, towards both Langdale and Grasmere. This circuit crosses the River Rothay by Miller Bridge and rises to a craggy viewpoint before traversing small Lily Tarn to return via the stone lane of Miller Brow.

With the exception of possibly thick mist or cloud, this is a walk for all seasons and most weather conditions. The views, south over Waterhead and down Windermere and north over the wooded vale of Rydal into the high mountain drama of the Fairfield Horseshoe, are some of the most evocative in the region. The delightful detail of tree, rocky knoll, heather, bracken and the white and green cup and saucers of the lilies on Lily Tarn, contrast with the grand open views of mountain, dale and lake.

Even before the heights of lovely Loughrigg are reached, the varied slate stone buildings of Ambleside provide an intriguing start to the walk. Indeed, despite recent developments, there is a lot more to this little town than just being the outdoor equipment capital of Britain. Sited in the old county of Westmorland, Ambleside has long been a site of occupation. Bronze-Age remains, c2000 bc can be seen on the nearby fells and the Galava Roman fort, near Waterhead, was one of the most important in north west England.

How Head, just up the Kirkstone road, one of the oldest surviving buildings in old Ambleside, is located in the area known as Above Stock. Sections of this fine stone house date back to the 16th century and it was once the lodge of the Master Forester of the Barony of Kendal. It has massive circular chimneys, a typical Westmorland feature, stone mullioned windows and incorporates stone from the old Roman fort at Waterhead and cobbles from the bed of Stock Ghyll Beck.

Stock Ghyll once served as the heartbeat of the town when, some 150 years ago, it provided water power for 12 watermills. On this walk we pass a restored waterwheel, immediately followed by the famous Bridge House, one of the most photographed buildings in the Lake District. Spanning the beck, this tiny 17th-century building is said to have been built thus to avoid paying land tax. Locally it is said to have once housed a family with six children. It is now a shop and information centre for the National Trust. Ambleside has become a major tourist resort with shops, hotels and restaurants, and is a convenient base for exploring the rest of the Lake District.

While you're there

The Armitt Museum, opposite the car park, provides a fascinating look at Ambleside and its environs in times past. An area is devoted to Beatrix Potter, where her desk and some of her natural history watercolours are on display. Borrans Park at Waterhead, with Galava Roman Fort next to it, and Rothay Park both provide pleasant recreational areas for those with a little time to spare. Near the Bridge House, the Glass House provides demonstrations in glass blowing.

What to look for

Lily Tarn, just after Point c, is naturally known for its white water-lilies. The lilies have lightly scented white flowers that unfurl between June and September. Despite its great beauty it has a sinister reputation. Whilst its blooms may tempt the inquisitive, rope-like stems which grow up to 8ft (2.4m) long, can easily ensnare the unwary and many a hapless swimmer has been drowned, beguiled by its innocent appearance.

Where to eat and drink

Inns, cafés and restaurants and all types of eateries abound in Ambleside. Favourites with walkers and climbers include the atmospheric Golden Rule pub, just up the Kirkstone road above the car park and Daisy's Café, opposite the market cross.