Fairfield Horseshoe

Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult (depending on fitness)

Wainwright Guide: Book One – The Eastern Fells

Fells: Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike

The Fairfield Horsehoe is one of the most iconic routes in all the Lake District. At approximately 14-15 miles in length, this circular trail includes eight, YES EIGHT, Wainwrights. It is perfect for the more experienced walker who is looking to bag multiple fells in one trip, and even has opportunities for the more energetic walkers to detour and bag a couple of extra fells.

This is bound to be at least a 4 hour expedition so I would advise you to pack for all weather conditions and check local weather services like MWIS and Weatherline prior to heading out. The first time Jonny and I attempted the Fairfield Horseshoe we were with a couple of Jonnys friends. Although it was bright sunshine the wind at summit level was unbearable! You could literally lean forward into the wind without falling down. Needless to say that with Emi in tow we abandoned the hike for another day.

Our second attempt at the hike was much more successful! With Jonnys brother Matthew we had a fantastic day out in the rare Lake District sunshine and got amazing views for miles around. I would highly recommend this walk for the challenge alone but the views just make it all the more tantalising.

Where to Start?

I would recommend sarting out this hike from Ambleside Cricket Club, accessed off the A591 (on your left as you come out of Ambleside). There is no official parking fee but there is an honesty box which we always donate to if we use the car park. In the event of a cricket match you will have to either park in Ambleside or park in the Rydal car park slightly further along.

From the car park I would recommend tackling the walk in a clockwise direction. Turn left and follow the road along until you reach the signposts for Rydal Hall and Rydal Mount. This will take you up a small road to the right which begins o incline very quickly.

If you have time I would highly recommend exploring both Rydal Mount, the previous home of William Wordsworth, and the grounds of Rydal Hall where the famous grotto can be discovered.

Carry on up the road, past Rydal Hall and Rydal Mount until you reach a small farmhouse and a fork in the path. Carry on to your left.

This will bring you very quickly to a gate where you will begin your ascent of Nab Scar.

Nab Scar

The path immediately becomes very steep but it is very well marked and easy to follow. Be sure to take a break every now and again and turn around to look at the view. Windermere absolutely glistens in the sun and it makes all the hard work well worth it.

The incline does gradually become less severe and as you start to turn more towards the oncoming ridge you get views of Windermere, Rydal and Grasmere below. You can even see down to Rydal Cave which puts your current elevation well into perspective.

Nab Scars summit is located just to left of a stone wall, which has not remained intact but it is still obvious that it was once in place. A large cairn marks the spot of the first Wainwright on the list.

Heron Pike

The path is pretty self explanatory from here. Just continue climbing to the North. The path is still fairly obvious with the incline varied. In some places it is quite a steep uphill, in others the fell is much more gentle.

There are two summits of Heron Pike, with the more Northern of the two being the higher. It is marked fairly obviously with a large cairn, where the Southern summit is not. The grassy plateau between the two summits is a welcome relief after the initial slog to this point.

We had a quick rest stop here before heading on. The views of Windermere in the background are still incredible.

Great Rigg

Again the path is fairly self explanatory from here. Both Great Rigg and Fairfield appear fairly ominous still, however the majority of the climb has already been achieved! Initially the path will even out underfoot, however it soon transforms into yet another steep incline.

Part way up, as you are almost coming upon the summit of Great Rigg, those with excess energy can detour to the left and add Stone Arthur to the tally of fells. This is also a walk in it’s own right though so is not necessarily needed during this particular hike.

Again the summit is marked by a fairly obvious cairn. With only Fairfield looming ahead on this side of the ridge, the half way point will be properly in sight.

Fairfield

Continue following the well marked path and it will lead you to the summit of Fairfield. A small decline is followed by a steady incline. It is obviously a path well travelled but it is a little deceptive in how long it feels like you are walking for.

The summit itself is fairly similar to that of High Stile and Hindscarth in the sense that it is a pretty flat expanse with boulders and stones strewn about. This summit however has a delightful windbreak, which I must say is needed! Even on a day where the winds were predicted to be light there is a fair gust blowing on the summit.

Once you have reached the summit of Fairfield you are half way complete, as well as on top of the highest fell on the route.

From here you have a few options. Some choose to add either Seat Sandal or St. Sunday’s Crag onto their tally. Others trek forward towards Dollywagon Pike and along into the Hellvelyn range. Most from here continue with the second half of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Hart Crag

From the summit of Fairfield you want to turn nearly back on yourself but instead of heading back down the path you arrived from you need to track slightly to the left.

There is a slight decline before the path inclines again toward the summit of Hart Crag. We ended up stopping for some lunch around here and were able to appreciate fantastic views down the valley between the two ridges of the Fairfield Horseshoe, out towards Windermere. It is also quite satisfying to look back onto Fairfield and see what you have already achieved.

The summit of Hart Crag is located slightly to the right of the main path. It is marked by a cairn but it is not as obviously marked as the previous fell tops.

Dove Crag

From Hart Crag to Dove Crag the path remains self explanatory. It is also one of the sections on the route that requires the least amount of effort compared to previous.

Dove Crag itself holds the secret spot the Priests Hole which can be accessed when ascending from the Brother’s Water side of the fell. This is one of those locations you should always take care when attempting access. It is not to be attempted in poor weather or by those unsure underfoot.

Approaching from Hart Crag the path starts to turn back towards Windermere and will follow the remnants of a wall on your right.

The summit of Dove Crag is marked by another obvious cairn to the left of the path.

High Pike

As you head towards the summit of High Pike from Dove Crag you will be firmly on the home stretch. The path remains easy to follow and the views of Windermere in the distance are an incredible vista to look out on during the walk.

You remain on the left of the wall until you reach the summit. The path is pretty good underfoot most of the way along, however there are sections where it becomes a little bit too muddy. We improvised a little and used the wall to help us keep our feet dry.

The summit itself is marked by a small cairn slightly to the left of the path, but the backdrop looking down towards Low Pike and Windermere is absolutely stunning! One of the best views in the entirity of the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Low Pike

The path to Low Pike can be pretty steep in places, and feels like it carries on for a long while. It does remain pretty obvious though so is easy enough to follow.

The summit of Low Pike is the least obviously marked throughout the walk. There is a very small cairn that marks the location, just off the main path. It is found at the highest point after a stile crossing a stone wall.

From the summit itself you get fantastic views looking back on the Fairfield Horseshoe. It’s pretty exhilarating and rewarding seeing the route you’ve just been on.

The view down towards Ambleside and Windermere is also pretty spectacular from the Low Pike summit, as it is throughout the rest of the hike.

Descent

From Low Pike the walk back to Ambleside seems a little bit never ending. The terrain is fairly uneven at points and the path does split occasionally with the option to scramble down some parts.

Eventually you come to a point where the path becomes a farm track. Trees and surrounding shrubs spring up on either side of the path changing the scenery a little.

There comes a point where the main track bends towards the left and a smaller grassy track splits off to the right. This is the path you want to follow to get back to where the car is parked. Following the track will take you through a farm and onto Nook Lane, leading directly into Ambleside.

The grassy path leads through a gate and follows a small beck. The view onto Nab Scar and the starting point of the Fairfield Horseshoe is pretty incredible.

This path pretty quickly comes out onto a larger track where you can either turn right towards Rydal Hall, or left towards the A591. If you are parked at the cricket club then the best way back to the car is to turn left.

Upon reaching the road, you can either head to the left towards Ambleside, where there are multiple places you can get your hands on a well deserved pint, or right towards the cricket club.

Once back to the car the relief will be immense! But the sense of achievement will also be fantastic. The Fairfield Horseshoe is hands down one of the best walks in the Lake District. One for the bucket list for sure.

Have you completed it yet? Let me know in the comments!