Muirhead at Applethwaite Hall

fairfield Horseshoe

A classic circular Lake District walk as onerous as the views are breathtaking. Starting and ending in Ambleside - other routes are available see for eg Wainwright’s The Eastern Fells - it’s only (only!) about 10.2 miles in total but the endless ups and downs make the going especially tough. This is a serious walk - the summit can a be confusing especially in the mist which can come down in the blink of an eye and there is the danger of steep drops. Compass skills and a map are required.

Distance: 16.4 km (10.2 miles)

Ascent: 1080 m

Minimum Time: 5 hours +

Terrain: very rough & at times boggy

Parking: plenty - Rydal Road car park is always a good choice

Maps: OS OL5, OL7

Dogs: ladder & stone styles - some with dog tunnels

End of Walk Sustenance: no walk round the Fairfield Horseshoe can be considered complete without a celebratory pint of beer,/lager,/wine,/water/ tea at The Golden Rule on Smithy Brow, Ambleside

Fun Fact 1: doing the horseshoe allows you to bag 8 separate Wainwright fells in one walk

Fun Fact 2: the current female record holder for the Fairfield Horseshoe Fell race - which takes place every May - is Vic Wilkinson who took 1 hour 27 minutes 15 seconds in 2013