Walks from Ambleside – A Handy Guide
There are many exciting and well-known walks from Ambleside due to its position in the Lake District National Park. Ambleside is in the southern Lakelands at the northern end of Lake Windermere and is close to Grasmere, Rydal Water, to name just a couple of walks.
The town is a fantastic base to explore the eastern fells in the Lake District, and there are many Ambleside walks that you can do, short, long, high and low, which means that it is a fantastic option to base yourself in the Lakes. There are easy and low level walks around Ambleside too.
If you are staying in the town, read our guide of the best 21 things to do in Ambleside. It will help with ideas and information on how to get there and where to eat! There’s nothing like walking in the Lake District, but if it’s raining, you may find something to do on this list! Although the Lake District is known for being busy, you can find your spot if you choose one of the less-visited fells.
When to visit to walk in Ambleside
Try to visit midweek or out of the school holidays if possible (especially the UK summer holiday). If you are looking for an ideal month, we can recommend May because you will find beautiful bluebells scattered in the woods and on the fells.
Top Tips for Ambleside walks.
- Please wear suitable footwear. It can get muddy here.
- Be prepared for all weather, even in summer and take a raincoat. You may find more than one season in a day in the Lake District National Park.
- Check the weather here – especially if you are going up high. It will tell you what the forecast is like at the summits and whether or not it is clear or not and whether there are any mountain hazards.
- Take a map with you or download one for the longer walks. They are on the Ordnance Survey website.
- Take water with you and use a reusable water bottle!
- There are plenty of walking shops in Ambleside if you need to get anything before you go.
10 Best Walks from Ambleside
There are so many exciting and beautiful walks from Ambleside, and the following are just meant as a rough guide, with rough distances, to help you decide which hike is the right one for you!
1. Ambleside to Grasmere on the Coffin Route
Distance: 5.6 miles
One of the best Ambleside walks to Grasmere is along the Coffin Road, a low easy walk that was once used to take the dead to St Oswald’s in Grasmere to be buried. Imagine this scene whilst you are walking. Although, that is not the only thing that is special about this Ambleside walk. On this route, you will be able to pay literary homage to the great poet William Wordsworth as you pass Rydal Mount, Dove Cottage, and you can see his grave in Grasmere cemetery.
Tip: If you only want to walk one way, there is a regular bus service that will take you back to the start, and you can depart from either Grasmere or Ambleside. This means this is one of the most accessible and best walks from Ambleside.
2. Sweden Bridge
Distance: 3.2 miles
One of the best Ambleside walks to Sweden Bridge, an old packhorse bridge from the late 1700s that is well-liked amongst walkers. The walk is circular, easy to follow but does involve an uphill walk from Ambleside. So, do not underestimate it because it is short. The trail can be slippy if it has been raining, making sure you have suitable footwear with a grip! After Sweden Bridge, you will see incredible views over Lake Windermere on your way back to Ambleside.
3. Stockghyll Force Waterfalls
Distance: 0.9 miles
A short walk and one of the best easy walks around Ambleside is to the 20m high waterfalls. The route leaves from Ambleside town centre and takes you on a gentle stroll through Stockghyll woodlands towards the waterfall. It is well signposted from the Visitor Centre in the town centre and is a popular route.
Follow the road up and bear left into the woods. Make sure you visit the viewing platforms on both sides for a unique experience and take in the serenity on the footbridge on your way back if you decide to make it a circular walk. What’s great about this Ambleside walk is that it will only take 20-minutes – a perfect evening or morning stroll and it is great for kids too! The Ambleside waterfall walk is a favourite for a very good reason!
Read our guide to the Ambleside waterfalls if you’re interested!
4. Wansfell Pike
Distance: 4.7 miles
More strenuous than other hikes on this list, Wansfell Pike has a steep incline to the top (488m above sea level), but you will be rewarded with beautiful views once you get there. As one of the best walks from Ambleside, you can expect an easy to follow walk along a steep but stony path, which means that it is unlikely that you will get lost. It is a popular walk to the craggy top and along the ridge to Wansfell’s summit and can be boggy in places, so make sure you wear appropriate footwear.
5. Ambleside to Windermere Walk
Distance: 6.5 miles
One of the best walks from Ambleside is to the largest lake in England – Lake Windermere. Here you will not only be able to enjoy the beauty of the lake, but you can step back in time to see the Galava Roman Fort, which is looked after by the National Trust. It is free to walk around and explore too. Also, why not rest your legs and go on a boat trip whilst you’re there? If the weather is on your side, of course!
6. Old Man of Coniston
Distance: 5-6 miles
One of the most popular walks near Ambleside is the Old Man of Coniston, one of the highest falls in the Lake District. There are different ways to reach the top, and they range in difficulty. The two most popular routes, the Low Water and the Goat’s Water track, both begin from the Walna Scar car park, and it is the latter is the easiest route to tackle.
It is good to know that this hike can get steep, and you will see the remains of a Victorian Quarry, as well as indescribable views over the lakes and fells. From here, you can see as far as Morecambe Bay, so make sure you take the time at the top to enjoy it!
7. Langdale Pikes
Distance: 7 miles
Another walk near Ambleside is to Langdale Pikes, whose summit is distinct across the region. It is located above the Langdale Valley and has many different trails that you can use to get to the top. Some are difficult, and some are more moderate, but one thing is for sure, you will see great peaks and beautiful views. You can begin this walk at Stickle Ghyll, heading towards Stickle Tarn and Pavey Ark before returning on the Cumbrian Way.
Alfred Wainwright, a British fell walker and guidebook author, described Langdale Pike as “Langdale Pikes and no mountain group better illustrates the dramatic appeal of a sudden rising of the vertical from the horizontal”, which should be enough to convince you to go on this walk.
8. Rydal Hall
Distance: 3.6 miles return
The walk to Rydal Hall from the town is one of the easy walks around Ambleside, but one where you can enjoy some peace in the formal gardens and hear the crashing of the waterfalls. Not only will you be able to enjoy the magnificent gardens, but also you will have views of Rydal Beck Valley and Nab Scar fells. It is impressive and is easy to follow and extend to Loughrigg Fell if you want to.
9. Fairfield Horseshoe
Distance: 10 miles
This walk is an old favourite, primarily due to the exceptional views over the Lake District. However, it is good to know that this walk can be boggy, so keep this in mind if you decide to take it on. It is also helpful to understand that if it is a good day in Ambleside, that does not mean that you will find good weather at the top of the Fairfield Horseshoe.
However, you will find the opposite, as there are microclimates, and this walk can be more challenging than you may think because the distance is not too long. We do not want to put you off, though, as the popularity of this walk is there for a good reason, but you will have to be prepared for this one. If you fancy it, park at Rydal Road Car Park.
10. Loughrigg Fell walk from Ambleside
Distance: 6.5 miles
Loughrigg Fell offers insane panoramic views of the falls, Langdales and over Grasmere and is one of the best walks from Ambleside. It is a fantastic option if you are after the views but not the long strenuous inclination of some of the other fells in the Lake District. The ascent is about 360m to the top of Loughrigg Fell, and you can expect the weather to be harsher at the top than in the town. The return track will take you towards Rydal and then back to Ambleside along a flat trail. You can also do this hike from Grasmere if you prefer.
There you have it, 10 of the best Ambleside walks. Each varies in difficulty, views and experiences. Which one will you go on first?
We only recommend things that we have personally tried and love using on our travels and hikes.
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