Loughrigg Fell summit – Rydal Cave loop from Ambleside

Hiking trails & Routes

Loughrigg Fell summit – Rydal Cave loop from Ambleside

Hard

4.8

(182)

1,452

hikers

Loughrigg Fell summit – Rydal Cave loop from Ambleside

03:19

10.5km

320m

Hiking

Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 22, 2026

Tips

Includes segments that may be dangerous

Parts of this route comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience is required.

After 4.06 km for 446 m

After 4.60 km for 389 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

4.03 km

Loughrigg Fell summit

Highlight • Viewpoint

Loughrigg Fell might not be the tallest peak in the Lake District. Standing on the summit you would hardy guess, though. Due to its prominent and exposed position, Loughrigg Fell sits right at the junction of five major valley systems. With no neighbouring peaks to block the views it affords an unrivaled panorama.

Tip by

4.75 km

View of Grasmere from Loughrigg Fell

Highlight • Viewpoint

They are currently rebuilding the path so some areas are quite loose rock

Tip by

4.88 km

View of the lake and island

Highlight • Viewpoint

5.03 km

View of Grasmere from Loughrigg Terrace

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Loughrigg Terrace is the path below Loughrigg Fell and above Grasmere. It traverses the hill from Red Bank woods in the west down towards Rydal Water in the east. The trail is clear and easy walking underfoot but cut into a fairly steep slope which gives it a fun airy feel.
It's a bridleway so watch out for bikes.

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6.37 km

Rydal Cave

Highlight • Cave

Take your time visiting Rydal Cave. It is a large cave on the north side of Loughrigg Fell, above Rydal Water. This cave is actually man-made, as a result of slate mining.

Take the stepping stones through the shallow water at the entrance to the drier part of the cave. A torch is not really necessary.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.65 km

Rydal Cave

Highlight • Cave

Whatever the weather the walk to to the cave is just beautiful 🙂

Tip by

6.96 km

Rydal Water

Highlight • Natural

Rydal Water lies in the heart of the Lake District and is connected to the larger lake of Grasmere to the west by the River Rothay. Spectacular views over the lake are offered by "Wordsworth's Seat", a natural rock formation on the western side of the lake, thought to have been one of the poet's favourite places in the Lake District. Situated just off the Grasmere to Ambleside road, this tranquil spot is ideal for a peaceful walk.
(VisitLakeDistrict)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.11 km

Stepping Stones Across the River Rothay

Highlight • Structure

Excellent start point to start your adventures in either direction, there will be plenty to see and breathtaking places to treasure for ever.
On a hot summers day more than likely you will be tempted to lose your own balance deliberately just to have fun at the spot... I highly recommended 🤣
Remembering to wear suitable & right footwear for the season!

Tip by

8.46 km

Fieldfoot Wood

Forest

10.5 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.43 km

1.51 km

1.26 km

624 m

398 m

128 m

124 m

Surfaces

3.40 km

2.78 km

1.86 km

1.26 km

1.10 km

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (320 m)

Lowest point (50 m)

Weather

Monday 12 October

17°C

8°C

68 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

May 6, 2026,Rydal Caves & Loughrigg Fell loop from Ambleside

Day 9: Rydal Caves & Loughrigg Fell loop from Ambleside

A lovely relaxing (a sort of day off??) hiking loop starting from Ambleside taking in the scenic delights of Rydal Caves, Rydal Water, Grasmere Lake, and the trig pointed beauty of Loughrigg Fell. All done on a good weather day, on great trails and meeting the most lovely, nice people …

October 12, 2023,Loughrigg Fell and Rydal Water

Sorry for all the photos, but it had to be today 😂. Such a beautiful hike 🤩

Showing Translation

February 13, 2022,Lake District Wainwright 211th highest Loughrigg Fell then Rydal Caves

After the weather stopped my other planned route for today decided to do a smaller fell then onto some beautiful caves. The rain was making all the steps into waterfalls and the wind on the top was rediculous but all good fun 😂