Loughrigg Fell From Ambleside: Complete Beginner Guide (2023)

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Hiking Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside? Yay! This is one of the best (and my favourite walks) in the Lake District.

If you’re visiting the Lake District for the first time, the Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside loop is one of the best ‘easy’ walks with incredible views of Grasmere and Rydal Water. With a summit of 335m, it still requires effort and sturdy feet to climb, but it’s definitely one of the least strenuous in the area.

As you summit the fell, the views across the national park are worth every step. From the glistening waters of Rydal Water and the small town of Grasmere, it’s one of the best views in the Lake District.

So, what do you need to know before doing the Loughrigg Fell walk from Ambleside? Let’s get started!

Other Lake District walking posts:

• Helm Crag walk from Grasmere – Everything You Need to Know
• 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District
• BEST Walks from Ambleside, Lake District
• 9 Easy Walks in the Lake District (That Still Have Incredible Views)
• Scafell Pike From Langdale: Everything You Need To Know

Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside: A Summary

Loughrigg Fell is known for being one of the ‘easier’ Wainwrights to hike in the Lake District. Whilst it will still take half a day to hike up and down, it doesn’t require any specialist equipment, and can be completed by anyone with moderate fitness levels.

Peaking at 335m (1101ft) above sea level, Loughrigg Fell is popular due to its central location in the national park. Whilst most hikers start the walk from Ambleside town centre, it can also be hiked from the beautiful village of Grasmere.

There are no toilets or food and drink facilities en route to the Loughrigg Fell summit. You will need to purchase essentials in Ambleside or Grasmere beforehand and remember to fill your water bottle before starting your walk.

Elevation gain	335m (1101ft)
Distance from starting point	10.4km (6.5 miles)
Difficulty level	Easy-moderate
Time needed	3-5 hours from start to finish
Facilities	Toilets and refreshments in Ambleside
Postcode	LA22 9HQ
Parking	The Ambleside town centre, pay and display car parks
Closest village	Ambleside or Grasmere
Nearest train station	Penrith
Nearest bus stop	555 which runs from Kendal to Grasmere

Where to stay in the Lake District for the Loughrigg Fell walk

If you’re only staying in the Lake District for a few nights, I recommend staying in Ambleside. Ambleside is known as the ‘heart of the Lake District’, and is one of my personal favourite areas, as it’s within walking distance of Lake Windermere.

If you’re only visiting the Lake District briefly, it’s an easy way to see some of the quintessential grey slate buildings, traditional pubs, and modern Lake District restaurants. Ambleside is also only a ten-minute drive from the Helm Crag walk starting point.

• If you’re a solo traveller in Ambleside, I recommend staying in the YHA Hostel. It’s a short distance from the centre of Ambleside, and you’ll be able to meet other solo backpackers. ➡ BOOK THIS HOSTEL NOW!

• Want a cute and cosy cottage in Ambleside? Our favourite is Grayling Cottage. It’s just a one-minute walk from Ambleside town centre and is beautifully decorated. ➡ BOOK THIS COTTAGE NOW!

• For a luxurious one-night stay in Ambleside, check out The Ambleside Inn. It’s an 18th-century hotel which will give you a true ‘English countryside’ experience. ➡ BOOK THIS HOTEL NOW!

Getting around the Lake District

If you can, take a car to get around the Lake District. If you only have one day, you don’t want to be spending hours waiting for public transport. Don’t have a car? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

However, if you haven’t got access to a car, exploring the Lake District can still be done! The Lake District has amazing public transport (a lot better than some of the rest of the country), and you can whizz around on buses and boats. For more information about travelling around the Lake District without a car, you can check out my guide here.

➡ Need to hire a car in the Lake District? We rent our cars in the UK from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! 🚗 LOOK AT CAR HIRE PRICES IN THE UK NOW!

Where is Loughrigg Fell?

Loughrigg Fell is a Wainwright in the Lake District, Englands. It is in between the villages of Ambleside and Grasmere. The starting point for the Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside walk is near the Zeffrelis Cinema in the Ambleside town centre.

Getting to Loughrigg Fell

🚗 TRAVELLING TO LOUGHRIGG FELL BY CAR

If you are travelling to the Loughrigg Fell starting point by car, park in one of Ambleside’s many car parks. The car park next to the Flying Fleece pub is only a 10-minute walk from the starting point. 

Need to hire a car for your Lake District trip? Check out the prices of UK car hire here.

🚌 TRAVELLING TO LOUGHRIGG FELL BY BUS

If you are using the bus to reach Loughrigg Fell, you can board the 555 to Ambleside. This is a double-decker open-top bus which runs from Keswick to Grasmere. If you need more help on getting public transport around the Lake District, check out my travelling around the Lake District without a car post here.

Where to park for the Loughrigg Fell starting point

The Loughrigg Fell starting point is in the city centre of Ambleside, next to Zeffrelis Cinema. Any car park in Ambleside will be in close proximity to the starting point. If you are completing the Loughrigg Fell walk from Ambleside, I recommend parking in one of the following Ambleside car parks:

• Lake Road (LA22 0DB)
• Rydal Road (LA22 9AY)
• King Street (LA22 0BX)
• Miller Bridge (LA22 0EE)

Parking in the Lake District is pretty expensive, so if you’re able to get the bus or walk from your accommodation, I’d recommend it!

TOP TIP: Buses in the Lake District are amazing, and since our last visit, I realised you don’t actually need a car. Either jump on the 599 or the 555 to get to all the major villages and towns, without the heavy parking fee! Check out my post: Getting Around the Lake District Without a Car (+ Solo Travel Tips!) for more public transport info!

Refreshments and facilities en route

When you begin your walk to the summit of Loughrigg Fell, there are no facilities or refreshment stops. I recommend stopping off in Ambleside for your morning coffee and breakfast, then taking a slow walk to begin your hike.

☕️ Looking for the best coffee in Ambleside? Whenever we hike or talk a walk from Ambleside, we stop off at The Picnic Box. Not only do they do a cracking coffee, but they also do ‘walker’s lunches’, where they’ll prep and pack a packed lunch for your hike! We visit every time we’re in the Lake District!

You can find the Picnic Box at 1 Lake Rd, Ambleside LA22 0AD.

🚽 Toilets, on any walk in the Lake District, are always non-existent. Need the loo whilst you’re hiking? It’s going to be a nature pee! Make sure you pack toilet paper in your day bag, and a small plastic bag to store the rubbish when you’ve finished.

🗑️ There are very few (if any) bins on any walks in the Lake District, so be sure to take any trash you have with you.

Route Description for the Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside walk

Part 1: The ascent to Loughrigg Fell

Hiking Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside is straightforward. There aren’t many ‘wrong turns’ you can take, and you will follow a path for the majority of the walk.

However, it’s always important to carry a map, as there aren’t many signposts whatsoever in the lakes. Make sure you at least know where you’re going, and have a map downloaded or a physical paper map at hand.

Start your walk by turning right next to Zeffrelis Cinema. Follow this road, passing the primary school and church spire. Follow the lane into Rothay Park, and then across the small footbridge crossing the River Rothay.

Turn right along Underloughrigg Road to walk over the cattle grid, until you reach a steeper tarmac path (that’s one of the steepest parts of the entire walk). From here, you can follow the path until you reach the summit. If you have time, stop off at Ivy Crag for incredible views of Lake Windemere.

After stopping at Ivy Crag, you should be able to see the trig point in view. Keep going, you only have around 15 minutes or less left! From Ambleside town centre to the trig point, it took us 1 hour 45 minutes. This was with a couple of quick stop-offs and photo opportunities.

Related posts: Swimming in Lake Windermere: BEST Spots

Part 2: The summit of Loughrigg Fell

Upon reaching the summit, you will see a pile of stones making the trig point. This is the highest point of a hill or mountain, marked by a pile of stones, bricks or concrete.

The trig point is surrounded by rocks and gravel, and standing next to it can get windy! But spend some time here admiring the views and soaking in your accomplishment of hiking one of the famous Wainwrights in the Lake District.

If you have summited Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside, you can either return back the same way or loop down to Rydal Caves. Of course, the route to Rydal Caves is longer, but it’s worth it!

Part 3: The descent to Grasmere, or back to Ambleside

The descent in itself isn’t difficult, and you will see families, dogs and people of all ages en route. We really enjoyed stopping along the way to chat with some of the locals! However, the descent is much rockier and has more uneven terrain than the ascent. It isn’t too difficult, but it just takes a bit more care and concentration.

Descend following the path from the summit, until you reach a perpendicular long stone pathway (aka the ‘motorway’, the busiest part of the hike). Follow this, bearing right, leading you to the Rydal Caves.

After spending some time at the Rydal Caves, you have two options. You can either walk another two miles back to Ambleside and treat yourself to a large slice of cake at the end, or jump on the 555 bus right back to town.

Who wants to guess what we did?

Alternate route: Loughrigg Fell from Grasmere

It’s also possible to start your walk to Loughrigg Fell in Grasmere instead of Ambleside. In my opinion, Ambleside is a better starting point because the terrain is flatter and easier to walk on during the ascent.

If you start from Grasmere, you will ascend on the loose rocks and stones, which may take more time to reach the summit. However, both ways reach the same point, and both have incredible views!

Want an easier walk than Loughrigg Fell? Both Blea Tarn and Tarn Hows are two of my favourite easy walks in the Lake District.

What can you see from Loughrigg Fell?

Described by Wordsworth as ‘the most loveliest spot that man hath found’, it isn’t a surprise that Loughrigg Fell has some of the best views in the Lake District. The summit provides views of Grasmere Lake, Grasmere Village and Rydal Water. Just before the summit, you can spot Lake Windemere from Ivy Crag (which is somewhere you may want to stop off for a while).

Although I wouldn’t ever recommend hiking in bad weather, if it’s only drizzling and misty, the hike offers some of the most dramatic and atmospheric views of the surrounding fells. It’s pretty special! And if you’re hiking in sunny weather on a clear day, the Loughrigg Fell summit views are just unbeatable.

What to pack for the Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside walk

Make sure you have suitable walking shoes, as some of the rocks on Loughrigg Fell are uneven and could be quite painful to walk over in regular shoes.

In any weather, be sure to pack at least a litre of water – more in the summertime. Even if you’re not doing a hefty climb like Helvylln or Scafell Pike, these walks still require physical activity and strength. Having a dehydration headache at the top of the summit isn’t ideal! 

As well as packing your regular items for a trip, these are some of my essential items for walking Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside:

• A lightweight waterproof jacket
• Hiking boots (that won’t slip) – these are my favourites for any kind of weather
• An umbrella
• A waterproof day bag
• A waterproof phone case (which can also be used for wild swimming when it’s sunnier)
• A portable charger
• Lots of layers
• A GoPro for waterproof camera footage
• A waterproof backpack cover
• A chilly bottle to keep your water at a drinkable temperature
• A Dry Robe, as it helps to keep you warm when entering and leaving the water (even if it’s raining!)
• As well as using bug spray, we have midge repellent wristbands.

Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside: FAQs

1) Is Loughrigg Fell a hard walk?

It depends on what you think a ‘hard’ walk is. Is it as high as Ben Nevis or Scafell Pike? No. But it is still a mountain, and it is still an 11km loop! You will need to budget at least 4 hours of your day to complete the Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside loop, and to some, 4 hours of walking is tough!

In terms of steepness, there are only a few small sections of steep walking. None of the steep sections has any sheer edges or drops. On the descent to Rydal Caves, some of the terrains are tricky and rocky, but nothing too difficult, and no scrambling is needed for the entirety of the walk.

2) How long is the Loughrigg Fell walk?

If you are walking from the centre of Ambleside, up to the summit of Loughrigg Fell, descending to Rydal Caves and back into Ambleside, the distance is just under 11km. Depending on how many stop-offs, detours and lunch breaks you need, it will take between 4-5 hours.

Feet tired? Once you’ve descended and visited the Rydal Caves, you can actually board the 555 bus back to Ambleside. It’s still a 2-mile walk from here, so you might need the pick-me-up!

3) Can I walk Loughrigg Fell if I am scared of heights?

Yes! As someone who is terrified of heights (but working on it), Loughrigg Fell is one of the best hikes in the Lake District. It really depends on how scared of heights you are, but if your height fear is triggered by sheer drops and edges, then Loughrigg Fell is perfect. There are no sheer drops, edges or narrow paths throughout the entire walk.

If you’re worried about the height of Loughrigg Fell or the path ascending and descending, message me over on Instagram to chat!

4) Do I need hiking boots to walk Loughrigg Fell?

If you’re hiking Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside, I would recommend wearing hiking boots. As it’s not one of the bigger hikes in the Lake District like Scafell Pike or Helvellyn, it’s not vital, but they will definitely help your feet on rocky boulders and uneven edges.

If you complete the entire loop from Ambleside to the summit, and back to Ambleside, it will take you around 4 hours. This is a long time to be on your feet! Having hiking boots helps to cushion your steps and add comfort to your hike, as well as stop you from slipping on the descent.

5) Do I need a car to visit the Lake District? 

If you’re visiting the Lake District and are short on time, I recommend hiring a car. However, it is possible to get around the Lake District using public transport.

If you’re looking to hire a car in the Lake District, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world!  ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in the UK now!

6) What tours should I do in the Lake District? 

Looking to book a tour in the Lake District? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!

When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else! 

If you’re visiting for the first time, the tours I recommend doing are:

• Ten Lakes Full-Day Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
• William Wordsworth and Dove Cottage Half-Day Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
• Beatrix Potter Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS

➡ You can check out available tours in the Lake District with prices here!

7) Do I need a SIM card to visit the Lake District? 

If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive. 

ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!

Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside walk. When you’re planning a trip to the Lake District, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more Lake District content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other posts you might like:

• Blea Tarn Walk: What to Expect
• Getting Around the Lake District Without a Car (+ Solo Travel Tips!)
• What to Pack for the Lake District: Ultimate First Timer Guide

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