The Waterhead Hotel to Wansfell Pike
(via Ambleside and Troutbeck)

Walk time: Approx 6 hours
Distance: Approx 9  miles
Difficulty: Strenuous
Starting point: The Waterhead Hotel

Highlights
• - Breathtaking views on a clear day from the top of Wansfell
• - Jenkins Crag
• - You will pass pubs for a well deserved drink or something for lunch, The Queens Head or The Mortal Man in Troutbeck are both recommended

After a strenuous climb up Wansfell enjoy a gentle stroll along well defined paths across open fell, that eventually lead down to Troutbeck.  We do have a map covering the area of this walk so please just ask if you would like to see it before you set off.

The Walk
From the main entrance of the Waterhead Hotel on your left, walk along the roadside pavement for approx 450 yrds to take a right up a narrow lane (Old Lake Road) on the opposite side of the road.  Take care crossing over.  Follow this lane passing a car park on your left until you turn right onto Fisherbeck Lane.  Ascend this residential road for only 70yrds then bear left onto another lane.  At the T-junction turn right onto Blue Hill Road, continue along this lane which will alter into a stony track.

Follow this very steep and winding footpath bordered by trees and stone walls. You will also pass a swing gate and large gate on your left.  You will reach a stile next to a field gate, cross over and proceed straight ahead along a narrow path bordered by walls for another ¼ mile, to climb over a wooden stile adjacent to a gate.  Follow the relatively level path straight ahead until you reach a well-defined stony footpath.  Turn right up this path which is just before a wooden swing gate.  You have approx ½ mile before you eventually arrive at the summit of Wansfell.  Well done!

To depart the summit, locate the nearby stile gate in the wire fence to start descending the gentler east facing slopes of Wansfell.  The lake will be on your right, bear left and descend the well defined footpath across open fell for just under ½ mile, then pass through the swing gate set into the stone wall.  Follow the footpath that will lead you through a large gate to link up with a track bordered by stone walls on both sides.  Turn right and continue downhill until you arrive at a lane after about ¾ mile.

Turn right onto the lane and follow through the village of Troutbeck for ½ mile, to locate a lane on your left (it is directly opposite a building on your right bearing the inscription ‘Annies clock 2000’)  After approx 20yrds bear right up a tarmaced track which immediately alters into a stony track signposted public bridleway – Robin Lane.  Continue until you reach the Y-junction with a seat and continue straight on for a further 250 yrds to pass a double rutted track on your left.  At the next Y-junction with 2 large gates and a small swing-gate, bear left (off the main track) and pass through the small swing gate (public bridleway – Skelghyll & Jenkins Crag)
Follow the path downhill passing through several gates along the way to link up with a hard surfaced track by the side of a flat bridge.  Turn right across the small beck then immediately go through a gate by the side of a cattle grid.  Follow the track until you see a double rutted stony track signposted public footpath – Low Wood Hotel ¾ mile.

You should be able to see The Samling on your right, you have two options from this point, you can either follow the sign for The Low Wood Hotel and then reach the lake walking back to The Samling via the main road or continue along the path until you reach Skelghyll Wood and then head back to us.

The Low Wood
Pass through the large gate, the stile with a farm gate on you right and climb over the stile, within 50yrds turn left through another gate/stile.  Follow the grassy path straight ahead and then pass through the swing gate (which has steps on the opposite side) to enter the adjoining field, with the Low Wood Hotel and the lake directly in front of you, descend along the right hand wall then bear left to head through a swing gate/farm gate.  Continue in the same direction and in the lower part of this field, bear slightly left then curve right around a wire fence, to pass through a swing gate at the rear of the hotel.  With the large car park on your right and an access lane to office buildings on your left, walk down hill passing through the interconnecting arch to reach the main road, the A591 – Windermere/Ambleside road.
Cross the busy road, taking care and turn right to head for The Samling drive way, please be careful crossing this extremely busy road.

Skelghyll Wood via Jenkins Cragg
Continue along the path until you reach Skelghyll Wood, you should pass us below you, there are a couple of paths down the hill that will lead you to the hotel and come out near the Dutch Barn which is at the end of lane from the car park.
Or continue through the woods heading into Stagshaw Gardens.  You will eventually come out onto a main road in Ambleside.  Once you reach the main road, turn right and walk along the main road heading towards Windermere, the lake should be on your right hand side.  You will eventually come to our drive.  Please be careful crossing the road.

Safety
Most of the paths are rough, stony or muddy, therefore please wear sensible footwear with good grips.  It can be very cool and blustery at a height of 1581 feet, remember to take something warm to put on should you need to.  The weather can change rapidly, please check weather reports before setting off and just to be sure please let the team know you are going to tackle Wansfell.  Take care crossing extremely busy main road!