Walks ending at Ambleside 1st January 2024
Our start time on New Years Day is 30 minutes later - Coach starts at Heysham Towers at 9 am
Why not bring family or friends as guests to welcome in the New Year
The A walk will be led by Bob. It is 8.9 miles and 1800 ft of ascent.
This is a circular walk from Ambleside. We will "warm up" with an easy stroll through Rydal Park before beginning our main ascent on a good but steepish path to the summit of Nab Scar, our highest point at 1500 ft with excellent views to the S and W. Turning northwards we shortly leave the "Fairfield Horseshoe" path at a cairn and follow an easy grassy path down to Alcock Tarn. We continue down northwards with dramatic views up the valley of Greenhead Gill towards Great Rigg and Stone Arthur, then follow Greenhead Gill a short distance to join a lane leading to Michael's Fold. Here we join a narrow but easy path going south, and the second half of the walk is "gently undulating" through fields and woods to join the "corpse road" to Rydal, then the road by the River Rothay into Ambleside.
The B walk will be led by Lesley. It is approximately 7-8 miles and 1400 ft of ascent.
Starting at Rydal, we cross the River Rothay at Steps End and follow a path to a cave/disused quarry and then to Loughrigg Terrace, to the road & into Red Bank Wood. From Red Bank Wood we go through Hunting Stile towards the Wyke and then down to the shore of Grasmere at The Lea. Following the shore path, we continue to the weir & cross the bridge into Banneriggs and onto White Moss CP; we cross the road & pick up the Coffin Route passing Rydal Hall to the A591 with a walk back into Ambleside or by Low Sweden Bridge & Nook End Farm and then back into Ambleside.
Hopefully we will have some views with Auld Lang Syne & a tot of something so please have a little cup with you to greet the New Year!
The C walk will be led by David. It is 5½ miles (plus walking around Holehird Gardens) and approximately 750 ft of ascent.
Beautiful woodlands and delightful views for much of the walk, means that a camera is advised!
Starting in Windermere, we walk to High Hay Wood, Howe Hill and Far Orrest where we turn into Holehird Gardens (includes toilets) which we will visit for at least half an hour. Then we will set off for Troutbeck, crossing the Beck, climbing up Robin Lane (a 400 ft climb), and then down into Ambleside via Jenkin Crag viewpoint.