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Rydal Water & Grasmere circular

Lake District Walk

Nat Park - Lake District - Lake District Central Fells

County/Area - Cumbria

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 6.0 miles / 9.8 km    Ascent - 1200 feet / 364 metres

Time - 4 hours 10 minutes    Grade - easy/mod

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Rydal Water & Grasmere circular
Click image to visit gallery of 6 images.

The Lake District has a wide variety of low level walks. Sadly many walkers reserve these for days when the clouds lie low over the higher fells meaning that they never enjoy them at their best. This walk starts from the regional centre of Grasmere and follows a well walked track to Rydal. From here the route passes the shores of Rydal water before enjoying wide ranging views over Grasmere. As well as the scenic interest the walk passes two of the homes of William Wordsworth, namely Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount. Both of these are passed by the walk and can be visited with an admission fee.

The start is the large pay and display car park (grid ref. NY339072) just off the A591 Ambleside to Keswick Road. Exit the car park and turn left back to the main road. Cross the A591, and take the lane opposite passing Dove Cottage on your left. Walk along the lane until just before it bends right. Here leave the lane and continue ahead on a stony track. At first the track goes uphill but soon levels off to follow a more undulating course across the fellside all the way to Rydal. Reaching Rydal, turn right down past the church to the main road.

Cross the main road and turn left walking towards Ambleside. At the first road junction, turn right and cross the bridge. Once on the other side of the River Rothay turn right again along a tarmac lane. Continue past some cottages after which the lane becomes a rougher track and exits onto open pastures. The path forks (grid ref. NY358060). Bear left here to join the higher path which leads past caves and old quarries. At the next major junction (grid ref. NY347059) continue along the Loughrigg Terrace path which offers a fine view of Grasmere and the superb backdrop of higher fells.

Just before reaching a plantation of trees turn right and descend very steeply to the shore of Grasmere. Turn left and follow the lakeside path as far as you can (grid ref. NY335064). Here turn away from the lake to reach a lane. Turn right along the lane and walk back into Grasmere village.

Other walks nearby

Walk 3625 Silver How from Grasmereeasy3.2 miles
Walk 1154 Between Grasmere and Langdalemoderate9.5 miles
Walk 1111 High Raise & Helm Cragmod/hard9.5 miles
Walk 1823 Fairfield Horseshoe & Loughrigg from High Close mod/hard14.0 miles
Walk 2254 Grisedale Tarn from Grasmeremoderate5.5 miles
Walk 2841 Seat Sandal via Grisedale Tarn from Grasmeremoderate5.0 miles
Walk 2932 Green Burn horseshoe from Grasmeremoderate7.0 miles
Walk 2715 Skelwith Bridge & Loughriggeasy/mod5.5 miles
Walk 1684 Lingmoor Fell & Langdale easy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 1141 Elterwater circulareasy/mod4.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking the Lake District Fells - Keswick

Walking the Lake District Fells - KeswickPart of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 30 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from Keswick, Whinlatter, Bassenthwaite, Caldbeck, Mungrisdale and Threlkeld, with highlights including Skiddaw and Blencathra. Includes suggestions for longer ridge routes.
More information

The Cumbria Way

The Cumbria WayA guidebook to the 73 mile Cumbria Way, an easy long-distance walk though the heart of the Lake District National Park, from Ulverston in the south to Carlisle in the north, with good transport links to either end. The route is largely low-level but this guide offers alternative mountain days to climb some of the famous fells en route.
More information

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