Scandale Horseshoe

Joe Jackson

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This is a fantastic mountain walk, taking in five Wainwrights north of Ambleside. It starts off in the centre of town and follows a narrow, quiet country lane north to the cascades at Low Sweden Bridge, where it joins the main Fairfield Horseshoe path running north. The path north is easy to follow and thanks to the many thousands of people who do the Fairfield Horseshoe, it is well-defined too. About 800m before Low Pike is a short scramble which most fit walkers should be able to climb, but if not then it can be circumnavigated round to the right.

The first summit reached is Low Pike and stands at 508m above sea level. The view north is restricted thanks to the higher summits of High Pike and Dove Crag, but the view of Scandale is fantastic, as is Windermere to the south. A kilometre further along and you will summit High Pike, which offers a similar view but from a loftier height. Dove Crag is the next peak and is the highest of the day at 792m, with spectacular views in all directions.

The path down to Scandale Pass and Little Hart Crag offers the best views on the whole walk in my opinion. Place Fell and Angletarn Pikes look beautiful from this angle and can be seen in the general picture for the walk. Little Hart Crag is a 637m peak sandwiched between Dove Crag and Red Screes and its main plus is the view down the full length of Scandale to the south.

After a steep ascent beyond Scandale Pass the route summits the last peak of the day, which is Red Screes. The view south (in clear conditions) can stretch as far as Blackpool Tower and north the view is dramatic thanks to the steep slopes on the fell's north side. The return part of the walk takes you down the full length of Red Screes to the south, straight back to Ambleside.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - South East

Features

Cafe, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Mountains, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Toilets

7/21/2014 - Robert Hughes

This is a superb walk which at least matches the Fairfield horseshoe. The views are fabulous especially during the second half where Red Screes must have one of the best panoramic views of the central and Western fells in addition to many other good views in other directions. The directions are excellent and paths are clear and easy to follow. My only quibble is that I can only count 5 Wainwrights rather than the six mentioned in the description - perhaps I've missed one.