A moderate route in Far Eastern Fells. Check the GPS track on Outdooractive for full details of the route, waypoints, and terrain.
Starting Point: Car park, Ambleside (NY 375 046).
Terrain: Town road, lane, woodland path, gill path, waterfall, fell path, Ambleside to Troutbeck Walk, open ridge, summit, wild walking, wall, descent path, farm track, return gill path Notable features: Ambleside, Stock Ghyll Lane, Stock Ghyll, Stockghyll Force, Wansfell Pike (482m), Baystones (476m — Wainwright), Middle Grove, High Grove, Ambleside to Troutbeck Walk, 1 Wainwright
A wonderful circular from the heart of Ambleside that makes the most of the town's extraordinary fell-side setting, combining the popular woodland approach along Stock Ghyll with a sustained and rewarding climb onto the Wansfell ridge. Stockghyll Force sets the scene perfectly — the falls are as fine as any in the southern Lake District and a worthy goal in their own right, even before the climb begins. The ascent to Wansfell Pike via the Ambleside to Troutbeck Walk is a slog in its upper stages but the views from the summit — Windermere spread out below, the Langdale Pikes rising to the west — are immediate and spectacular. The ridge northeast to Baystones, the true Wainwright summit of the walk, is a fine high-level traverse with wide views continuing in all directions, and the wild walking descent northwest to High Grove adds an adventurous character to the return. The path back through Middle Grove and past Stockghyll Force for a second look is a pleasant and easy finish. A thoroughly enjoyable walk that shows off the best of the country immediately above one of the Lake District's busiest towns — and all the better for starting and finishing with one of its finest waterfalls.