Hike above a Lake District valley
Climb through bracken and dry-stone sheep pastures to the rocky crest of Loughrigg Fell, looking out over the mirror waters of Grasmere and Rydal Water inspired by William Wordsworth.
At a glance
May to October for pleasant fell walking conditions; autumn (October–November) brings spectacular golden copper bracken
Morning departure to complete the fell circuit before stopping for Grasmere gingerbread
3 to 4 hours for the 6-mile circular loop over Loughrigg Fell and around Rydal Water
UNESCO World Heritage Cultural Landscape fell walk · Self-guided hiking trail
Moderate (rocky trails, grass slopes, and some uneven stone pitching; 335m ascent)
Drop-in possible (public rights of way are freely accessible)
The cradle of Romantic conservation and Wainwright's fells
In 2017, the Lake District was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site, not only for its dramatic post-glacial geology of jagged volcanic fells and U-shaped glacial lakes, but as a cultural landscape shaped by traditional Herdwick sheep farming and the birthplace of the modern environmental conservation movement. Here, poets William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge celebrated the sublime beauty of nature, directly inspiring the founding of the National Trust.
Climbing Loughrigg Fell from Grasmere delivers the ultimate Lake District fell-walking experience without requiring technical mountaineering gear. Walking along historic dry-stone walls past sturdy Herdwick sheep, the trail climbs to a rocky trig point that Alfred Wainwright celebrated for having 'a panorama of mountains unsurpassed for beauty.' Below, the mirror-calm surface of Grasmere reflects the steep slopes of Helm Crag, while the path returns along the famous Loughrigg Terrace and through the echo chamber of Rydal Cave.
Hiking the Grasmere and Loughrigg loop
Depart from Grasmere village
Begin beside the churchyard where William Wordsworth is buried, picking up a paper-wrapped parcel of spicy Sarah Nelson's Grasmere Gingerbread.
Ascend to the trig point of Loughrigg Fell
Follow the stone-pitched footpath climbing through heather and bracken to the rocky summit plateau for 360-degree views stretching to Windermere and the Langdale Pikes.
Descend via Loughrigg Terrace and Rydal Cave
Descend onto the level path of Loughrigg Terrace, cross the slate stepping stones inside Rydal Cave, and follow the shaded lake shore of Rydal Water back to Grasmere.
Plan your experience
When to go
May through October offers the most reliable walking weather. Autumn (late October) turns the bracken hillside into flaming russet gold. Winter fell-walking can be magical with dusting snow on peaks, but requires proper winter boots and waterproofs.
Getting there
Direct Avanti West Coast trains run from London Euston and Manchester to Oxenholme Lake District, connecting to Windermere station. From Windermere, the double-decker open-top 599 bus runs every 20 minutes directly to Grasmere.
Booking & permits
No bookings are required for the trails. Grasmere village car parks fill by 10:00 on summer weekends; using the frequent Stagecoach bus from Windermere or Ambleside is strongly recommended.
What to bring
- Waterproof hiking boots with grippy Vibram soles (grassy slopes and slate paths can be slippery)
- Waterproof breathable jacket and overtrousers (the Lake District receives significant Atlantic rainfall)
- OS Explorer Map OL7 (The English Lakes - South-eastern area) or downloaded offline trail map
Before you go
- Visit Dove Cottage in Grasmere, where Wordsworth wrote 'I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud', before your hike.
- Buy fresh Grasmere Gingerbread early: the historic cottage shop often has a line of devoted customers down the lane.
Official information
Always verify permits, seasonal weather conditions and access directly with public authorities:
Official national park portal for weather forecasts, trail safety advice, fell ranger reports, and parking.
Official conservation trust caring for iconic fells, footpaths, tarns, and historic Wordsworth properties.
Ways to experience it
Walk the classic 6-mile circular route from Grasmere over Loughrigg Fell, visit Rydal Cave, and reward yourself with a pint of local Cumbrian ale at the Badger Bar.
Join a qualified Mountain Leader for an educational fell walk focusing on Lake District geology, dry-stone walling craft, and Herdwick sheep pastoral culture.
Certified providers & operators
Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire
Scenic open-top double-decker bus routes 555 & 599
Operating regular panoramic bus services through the central Lake District between Keswick, Grasmere, and Windermere
Wordsworth Grasmere (Dove Cottage)
Wordsworth museum, historic cottage tours & garden walks
Preserved 1799 home of William and Dorothy Wordsworth, featuring original poetry manuscripts and orchard gardens