Fairfield
Fairfield at 873 metres is the summit at the centre of the most famous horseshoe walk in the eastern Lakes. The Fairfield Horseshoe — a circuit that takes in Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike, and Low Pike — is a classic 10-mile round trip from Ambleside that has been walked by fell walkers for over a century. Fairfield is the highest point and the pivot of the day. The summit is a broad, peaty plateau, spacious enough to feel exposed in bad weather and disorientating in mist. The cairn at the highest point is substantial. The western rim drops dramatically into Grisedale — Grisedale Tarn is visible directly below, with the path over Grisedale Hause connecting Fairfield to Helvellyn. The eastern rim drops toward Deepdale, one of the quieter valleys in the eastern Lakes. In clear conditions the view extends from the Helvellyn range to the north to the Coniston Fells and Scafell group in the west. Windermere is visible south-east. The summit plateau is genuinely impressive in scale.
Walking
The standard Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside (LA22 9DB, car park in town) takes the path south of the rugby club up to Nab Scar and then the long ridge north via Heron Pike and Great Rigg to Fairfield. The return loops east via Dove Crag and Low Pike, descending back to Ambleside via Scandale. Total distance around 10 miles with 900 metres of ascent. Allow 6 to 7 hours. The alternative start from Rydal (LA22 9LU) shortens the approach but the walk is essentially the same. Grasmere is another option for the start, with the path up via Stone Arthur and Great Rigg. A separate, less-walked approach from Patterdale via Deepdale and Cofa Pike gives a rougher, quieter ascent from the east and is a genuine contrast to the popular Ambleside circuit. This approach takes in Hart Crag before Fairfield and descends via Grisedale Tarn — a long day of around 12 miles.
Routes
Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside
Ambleside town car park
Tips
The Fairfield Horseshoe is one of the finest circuit walks in the Lakes and is not as difficult as its reputation suggests. The terrain is mostly good paths and the scrambling is minimal. Start early to avoid the crowd on summer weekends. The summit plateau can be disorientating in mist; know the bearing to Grisedale Hause before you set off. Zeffirellis in Ambleside (LA22 0BT) is worth knowing about for food on the return.