Walk Description

We had arranged to meet up with Simon in Ambleside and walk up to Wansfell Pike via the Stock Ghyll waterfalls.  It was already raining when we met up with Simon and so we decided to don the waterproofs in the carpark.  We walked towards the centre of Ambleside and as we crossed Stock Ghyll I spotted a heron in the ghyll.  It stayed there long enough for the three of us to get some photographs of it.  We followed the quiet road up towards the waterfalls.  This was my first visit here and I was really surprised at their size and beauty.  We could have stayed there a lot longer, but the rest of the walk was waiting for us so on we went. 

So far the walking had been fairly easy but after we left the waterfall the path steepened and we were soon in the cloud.  I was slow climbing this section of the path and Steve and Simon kept having to wait for me to catch them up.  The summit appeared almost without warning and I was glad to stop for a while to get my breath back.  Steve and Simon took advantage of this time to consult the map, visibility was very poor and route finding could have been difficult.  We followed the wall roughly northwards and did our best to avoid the worst of the wet ground.  Eventually we crossed the final wall and then spent a little time trying to decide which of the shapes looming in the mist was the highest point.  After taking the obligatory summit photographs we made our way back to the shelter of the wall for lunch.

After checking with the map and gps we headed down the fellside towards Nanny Lane.  The weathered hadn't improved and we continued down Nanny Lane still shrouded in thick mist until Steve pointed to a strange shimmering sight in the clouds.   The clouds were starting to thin and Windermere was starting to appear, glowing in the distance.  Slowly other views began to appear, although the higher fell tops stayed shrouded with cloud.  Eventually we reached Troutbeck and sat for a little while on the bench outside Town End Post Office having another bite to eat and soaking up some of the weak sun.

We then headed along Robin Lane towards High Skelghyll.  The views along Windermere towards the south and west were opening up but there were very dark threatening clouds blocking any view of Langdale and we were glad that we hadn't chosen to walk there today.  It was very peaceful in Skelghyll Wood and the remaining autumn colours were fantastic.  We carefully left the main path and made our way over the slippy rocks to the view point on Jenkin Crag.  Once we had taken our fill of the views we headed back to Ambleside and the car.  We left our rucksacks, boots and waterproofs in the car and went to get a warming cup of Hotter Chocolate and a slice of cake to finish the walk in style.

Thanks to Steve and Simon for their company.  The walk took about 5 and a half hours.
 
 

Route & Planning

Details and Route Map

Photo Opportunities

Walk Profile

The route map shown here should not be used as a replacement for the appropriate map(s). Before attempting the walk you should check the suitability of this route in relation to your capabilities and experience.