Fairfield Horseshoe

• Views of the entire Lake District
• Good ridge walking
• Includes 8 Wainwrights

If there are any major summits which I did not see on my recent round of the Fairfield Horseshoe I would be surprised. As I was striding along both of the long arms of Fairfield I felt the entire Lake District was mapped out in front of me. It was fantastic to be able to walk for reasonable periods of time and be able to look at the scenery without any fear of stumbling on a rock or walking off the mountain. I went ‘out’ on the Great Rigg west ridge from Rydal and the views to the west up Easedale and beyond were excellent, as I approached the summit of Fairfield the Helvellyn ridge presented itself in all its glory whilst on the return it was great to pick out individual summits in the Far Eastern area (never easy as they can be a little similar). The ridges do have some rocky outcrops but it is generally good walking country -only the backside of Fairfield has cliffs and dangers.

Recommend: Follow the east ridge all the way, do not be tempted to come off early to cut the corner to Rydal

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL7 Lake District South Eastern Area. The summit of Fairfield is on the North Eastern sheet
Start Point:	365062. Parking in Rydal is an issue. If you can get in on the little road to Rydal Mount that is best. Otherwise it depends how brave you are feeling
Terrain:	Obvious tracks round the horseshoe, the final path through Rydal Hall being a great ending to the walk
Eating & Drinking:	For once I advocate a tea shop - walking through the grounds of Rydal Hall there is a wonderfully situated tea shop, just 2 or 3 minutes from Rydal. The Badger Bar in the Glen Rothay hotel offers a good pint for the desperate
Similar Walks Nearby:	Ridges over Grasmere village Loughrigg Fell, a beauty in minature Crinkle Crags & Bowfell
Places to Stay:	Ambleside Backpackers Broadoaks Boutique Country House, Troutbeck