Ambleside Walks
Ambleside is one of the most popular bases for walkers in the Lake District. The town has great facilities with lots of shops selling walking equipment, several hotels and lots of pubs and cafes. There's several different walks to try from the town including challenging hill climbs, woodland trails, waterfalls and riverside paths.
This short walk around the town takes you to Rothay Park and then along the River Rothay to the Ambleside Roman Fort and Waterhead Pier on Lake Windermere. It's a nice gentle walk with lovely views of the surrounding fells.
You can start the walk from the car park in the centre of town and pick up a footpath along Stock Ghyll to Rothay Park. The park has picnic benches, large grassed areas and natural rock outcrops. The River Rothay also runs through the park and there are good views of the surrounding fells as well. Follow the path south along the river and it will lead you through fields to the roman fort. The fort is Grade I listed and dates from the 1st or 2nd century. It was probably built under Hadrian's rule to guard the Roman road from Brougham to Ravenglass. After exploring the fascinating remains of the fort you continue to Borrans Park at Waterhead. From here there are lovely views over Lake Windermere and nice pub where you can enjoy refreshments in the lakeside garden.
Other Walks around Ambleside
- Stock Ghyll Force - This walk takes you to the beautiful Stock Ghyll Force waterfall in Ambleside, in the Lake District. The waterfall is just a short walk from the centre of Ambleside. From here you walk to Stockgyhll Lane where there is a sign saying 'To the Waterfalls'. Bear left here to enter Stock Ghyll Woods where you follow shady paths along Stock Ghyll Beck to the main falls. Here you will find a railed viewpoint from which you can watch the spectacular 70 foot high waterfall. It's a lovely wooded climb with a series of smaller waterfalls to enjoy on the way.
- Coffin Route-Ambleside to Grasmere - Follow the Coffin Route from Ambleside to Grasmere on this lovely walk in the Lake District. The walk is fairly easy with only a short climb and a well defined, signposted route. The path is so called because it was used to convey coffins on their final journey to St Oswalds Church in Grasmere.
- Wansfell Pike - This circular walk in the Lake District takes you up Wansfell Pike fell to Troutbeck, and then back through Skelghyll woods. It's popular with walkers as it begins and ends in the accessible town of Ambleside.
- Windermere Way - A circular walk around Lake Windermere in the beautiful Lake District
- Fairfield Horseshoe - This is a challenging horseshoe shaped walk which takes you on a tour of some of the Lake District's most beautiful fells. The walk begins at Ambleside and heads towards Rydal Mount, the historic home of William Wordsworth. You climb to Heron Pike and then onto Great Rigg and Fairfield before returning to Ambleside via Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike. The views are spectacular with Rydal Water, Grasmere, Lake Windermere and Coniston Water all visible from the peaks.
- Jenkin's Crag - This is a nice easy climb to try from Waterhead in Ambleside. It takes you from the northern end of Lake Windermere to a viewpoint overlooking the lake. There's a footpath near to the bus stop on the A591 which is signed for Jenkin's Crag. You climb toward Skelghyll Wood where you pick up woodland trails to the viewpoint. Here you can enjoy great views over the lake to the surrounding mountains. It's a short walk of about 0.5 miles and a nice one to do if you are staying in Waterhead or if you've got half an hour to spare before catching a bus from Waterhead!
- Red Screes - This cirular route takes you up Red Screes fell in the Lake District National Park
- White Moss Walks - This walk follows the footpaths around White Moss Common in the Lake District. The area consists of a series of nice footpaths taking you through woodland and meadows.
- Alcock Tarn - Climb to this pretty tarn and enjoy wonderful views over Grasmere lake on this walk in the Lake District. The walk start from the good sized White Moss Common car park off the A591 near Rydal Water and Grasmere Lake. The route heads north to White Moss Common, passing Lady Wood and White Moss Tarn. You continue past Dove Cottage, through Bracken Fell Wood to Grey Crag. The final section takes you from Grey Crag to the tarn where you can stroll around the water and take in the magnificent views.
- Loughrigg Tarn - This circular walk takes you to the lovely Loughrigg Tarn from Skelwith Bridge. The walk starts from the Skelwith Bridge Hotel and follows country lanes and footpaths around the pretty tarn. It's a fairly easy climb to the high point above the tarn with splendid views of the surrounding fells. It's a secluded peaceful spot which was a favourite of William Wordsworth.
- Loughrigg Fell - The climb to Loughrigg fell from Grasmere is a very popular one. It's a reasonably straightforward climb with wonderful views over Rydal Water and Grasmere Lake. The walk starts in the centre of Grasmere and follows country lanes and good footpaths to the 335 m (1,099 ft) summit. You start by following Red Bank road from Grasmere which runs around the western side of the lake before picking up a footpath to the summit which is effectivley a series of stone steps. The route also passes Loughrigg Terrace which is well worth a short detour. This level path affords wonderful views towards Helm Crag and the Fairfield group and leads to the fascinating Loughrigg Caves.
- Windermere to Ambleside Walk -This scenic route takes you between these to popular towns via Wansfell, Troutbeck and Orrest Head.
- Ambleside to Skelwith Bridge - A moderate walk to Skelwith Bridge taking in Loughrigg Tarn and Skelwith Force Waterfall
- Circular Walk from Ambleside - A splendid circular walk from the town centre visiting several of the area's highlights.
Ambleside Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Ambleside Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Ambleside OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Ambleside Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The 17th century Wateredge Inn is a great place for refreshments with a lake view. It's located right next to Lake Windermere and includes a large outdoor seating area which is perfect for summer days. You can find it on Borrans Road, Ambleside, with a postcode of LA22 0EP for your sat navs.
In the town centre there's the Unicorn Inn to try. This quintessential traditional Lakeland public house is the oldest pub in Ambleside, dating back to the 18th century. They do good home cooked food and have a fine selection of ales. You can find the pub in the town at postcode LA22 9DT for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The area around the town is great for dog walking with waterside trails and woodland paths in the nearby Stock Ghyll Wood and Skelghyll Wood. The Wateredge Inn and the Unicorn Inn mentioned above are also dog friendly.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Detail of Galava Roman Fort, Ambleside. This is part of the excavated ruins that has been left open. It looks rather like steps down into a sunken storage pit.
Bridge House, Ambleside. This tiny stone-built house straddling Stock Ghyll and standing next to the main A591 road in Ambleside is probably one of the Lake District's best known and most photographed landmarks. The tiny building is originally thought to have been a summer house and/or an apple store for nearby Ambleside Hall. Dating from the 16th century, it was built over Stock Ghyll to escape land tax. It has also been said that at some time a family with six children lived here in the two rooms. It is now a shop for the National Trust.
Waterhead, Ambleside The northern end of Lake Windermere. The Watersedge Hotel is to the left of picture, and boat moorings to the right. Wansfell Pike is seen to the right of picture, and Snarker Pike to the left.
Falls in Ambleside. Taken from Stockghyll lane on the way up to Wansfell.
Rothay Park in Ambleside. Photo taken from near the main entrance to the park from the village direction. Looking towards the Fairfield Horseshoe.
Church Road, Ambleside
Market Cross in the centre
Rydal Road in spring