Wansfell Pike above Ambleside an ever popular walk for day ramblers and serious fell walkers alike, I opt to ascend the steep northern slopes, with views into Langdale getting better with every painful step, but Wansfell keeps it's secret to the very end, as you scramble onto it's rocky crown the views down Windermere just blow you away, who needs class A drugs when a good breakfast and adrenalin will fuel your ascent and the views will get you high.
My route followed the banks of Stock Ghyll through dappled shade to the splendid fall of Stockghyll Force, leaving the woods at the revolving gate I followed the lane until a ladder stile offered me access to the steep slopes of Wansfell Pike, it may be steep but steep gets you up quickly and I was soon on the rocky summit, then east across the stile heading for Troutbeck, my route was to steer clear of Nanny Lane, (the normal route found in most walking books) after the first wall I turned right to follow a green path south, with Windermere Lake dominating my view, I reached Hundreds Road, (lane) this I strolled down to reach the junction of Robin Lane, a right turn took me through Skelghyll Farm into Skelghyll Woods with a short detour to the viewpoint above Jenkin Crag, followed by the descent back to Ambleside.
Wansfell Pike from Ambleside. |
|
|---|---|
![]() |
The spectacular 70 foot fall of Stockghyll Force. |
![]() |
Throw back to the time of Victorian entrepreneurs, the revolving gate exit, at one time a small levy would have been paid to enjoy the delights of Stockghyll Woods. |
![]() |
From the steeply aggressive slopes of Wansfell Pike views across Todd Crag to Wetherlam. |
![]() |
And from the same location, the Langdale Pikes over Loughrigg Fell. |
![]() |
Looking to yesterdays walk, Coniston Old Man and the ridges to Swirl How. |
![]() |
Kirkstone Pass in the shadow of Red Screes. |
![]() |
A view to die for, Windermere Lake from the summit of Wansfell Pike. |
![]() |
From the the rocky crown of Wansfell Pike summit, views to the Langdale skyline. |
![]() |
Taking a breather on Wansfell Pike, with views to Kirkstone Pass, Broad End leading to Hart Crag with Red Screes to the left. |
![]() |
Across Baystones to Yoke, Ill Bell and Froswick. |
![]() |
Crossing marshy ground on the path that lead to Hundreds Road, looking to the eastern slopes of Wansfell Pike. |
![]() |
Windermere Lake guiding me down. |
![]() |
Heading down Hundreds Road with breathtaking views down Windermere. |
![]() |
The Langdale skyline seen over Skelghyll Wood, my route takes me through Skelghyll Farm the only building in the picture. |
![]() |
On the edge of Skelghyll Wood looking to Lowwood Marina. |
![]() |
Across Windermere, Wray Castle. |
![]() |
On Jenkin Crag viewpoint fighting my way through the trees. |
![]() |
And for my trouble views to Coniston Old Man. |
![]() |
Latterbarrow above Wray Castle. |
![]() |
The Crinkle Crags with Bow Fell and to the right of the tree the Langdale Pikes. |