6 Walks from Ambleside town centre

A popular and easy low-level 6.1 km walk along the old coffin route from Ambleside to Grasmere. The coffin route was used in medieval times to transport corpses for burial at St Oswalds churchyard in Grasmere, but, thankfully, these days you’ll only encounter other walkers.

This well-signposted ramble takes you out of Ambleside on the A591to Rydal, and then crosses Rydal Park (take some time to look around Rydal Hall and visit ‘The Grot’, an 18th-century summerhouse built for visitors to admire the waterfalls) to Nab Scar, where you can enjoy the view across Rydal Water. You’ll also walk past two of William Wordsworth’s former homes en route – Rydal Mount, and Dove Cottage in Grasmere, before finishing in Grasmere village for a well-earned slice of Grasmere Gingerbread.

Ambleside to Grasmere route >

Length: 6.1km
Elevation gain: 418m
Time: 3-4hrs

Starting point >

If your idea of a good walk is a short stroll with a fabulous view and then back into town for a drink and something to eat, then the pleasant lope out of Ambleside up to Stock Ghyll Force is the one for you.

Not many towns can boast a waterfall you can walk to – Ambleside can.

You can be up and down Stock Ghyll Force with photo stops included in around 40 minutes.

A clearly signposted amble from the centre takes you gently up to the railed viewpoint, where you can marvel at the exhilarating sight of the 70-foot torrent cascading down the hill. Once at the top, there’s also the option to pop in to Force Cafe just over the road and up the hill a bit from the waterfall viewing area.

Ambleside Waterfall route >

Length: 1.4km
Elevation gain: 86m
Time: 30 mins-1hr

Starting point >

For something a little more challenging from the centre of Ambleside (around five hours or so), you might want to take on the imposing peak of Red Screes, which sits next to the mighty Kirkstone Pass.

You can get halfway up by car and park at the car park next to the Kirkstone Inn, before ascending to the top (along with everyone else) but where’s the fun in that?

For a lesser-known route, take the steep road (the Struggle) out of Ambleside towards the Pass for about a mile until you get to a gate between two oak trees. Then head up towards the summit of Red Screes, taking in views of Ambleside, Loughrigg Fell and the Fairfield Horseshoe as you go, before descending via the Scandale Pass.

Red Screes route >

Length: 14.2km
Elevation gain: 806m
Time: 4-5hrs

Starting point >

This easy 6-mile circular walk from the centre of Ambleside (one of Wainwright’s favourites) will help you walk off your breakfast and rewards you with some of the best views in the Lake District – plus it takes in Rydal Caves on the descent. What’s not to like?

Set off from Zefferelli’s Cinema and follow the lane into Rothay Park, crossing the footbridge over the river before turning right into Under Loughrigg Road, walking over the cattle grid and following the path up until you reach the summit.

When you get there, take some time to admire the far-reaching panoramic views over Grasmere village, the lake and Rydal Water.

If you’ve had enough for one day, you can just go back down the way you came – but that means missing out on the caves. And you don’t want to do that, even if it is a bit rockier going down than it was coming up.

Follow the path down until you come to a long stone pathway known as the ‘motorway’. Walk along it and bear right to get to the caves. Once you’ve taken the obligatory piccies, you can carry on back down and follow the road under Loughrigg back into the park and on to Ambleside, then pick somewhere lovely for lunch.

Loughrigg Fell route >

Length: 10.4km
Elevation gain: 368m
Time: 2.5-3hrs

Starting point >

If you’re a fan of shortish walks with eye-pleasing views, this won’t-take-you-too-long yomp up to High Sweden Bridge should get you lacing up your boots quick-smart. And you can be done in about an hour and a half without getting too out of puff. You can start on Smithy Brow Lane opposite Rydal Road car park.

From there, walk along the lane past the Golden Rule pub (you can go there when you get back down, not before you go up!) until you come to Sweden Bridge Lane.

Take the turn and then keep walking, uphill all the way, until you come to Sweden Bridge – an 18th-century packhorse bridge.

On the way up you’ll see a folly called ‘The Tower of Friendship and Beauty’, which stands in the grounds of Eller How.

And you’ll enjoy views of the Langdales and Rydal Water before heading back down. Now you can go to the pub.

High Sweden Bridge route >

Length: 5.1km
Elevation gain: 226m
Time: 1.5hrs

Starting point >

Kendal Mint Cake. Grasmere Gingerbread. The Fairfield Horseshoe. Lake District classics all. And you might be glad of some mint cake and gingerbread to keep you fortified when you tackle an all-dayer like the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Around 18km with lots of ups and downs and often boggy in places, this challenging hike in the Rydal Valley ticks off eight Wainwrights en route, has spectacular views from the highest summit (if it’s not shrouded in mist) and can be started and finished in the centre of Ambleside.

Make sure you’re properly equipped before you set off and check the weather forecast. It’s a popular walk so the route up to the various peaks on the horseshoe is clear enough, but take a map and a copy of Wainwright’s Eastern Fells to help you plan and follow in the great man’s footsteps.

Fairfield Horseshoe route >

Length: 16.4km
Elevation gain: 1080m
Time: 5hrs

Starting point >

Walking around Ambleside in the Lake District offers a plethora of benefits, making it an enticing activity for both locals and visitors alike.