Wansfell Pike and Troutbeck walk from Ambleside

Video run time: 25 minutes 18 seconds

A very popular circular walk from Ambleside, through the picturesque Skelghyll Woods and past Jenkin Crag viewpoint before striding out along Robin Lane to head down to and through the charming village of Troutbeck. A climb out of Troutbeck along Nanny Lane affords excellent panoramic views. Once the lane is left behind, a path heads up to the summit of Wansfell Pike. There is often confusion with people calling the peak Wansfell, but Wansfell (a 'Wainwright fell') lies about one mile to the North-East of Wansfell Pike along the wide ridge emanating from Caudale Moor. The summit views are magnificent and very wide ranging with no nearby taller fells to foreshorten the views. From the summit head steeply down in to Ambleside with views towards the Scafells and Langdales ahead over Ambleside. A small diversion can be made to Stockghyll Force before heading back along the road through Ambleside to the car park. If your knees are better suited to walking up steep slopes rather than down them, the walk can easily be done in reverse.

Best gifts for walkers - 49 top presents for hikers under £35

If you are wondering what to buy someone who likes walking, or searching for those inexpensive or personalised gifts for hikers, then look no further. We've put together a selection of practical presents under £35 that any walker or hiker in the UK would like to receive. Read our article:

Best gifts for walkers - 49 top presents for hikers under £35

What to wear and take on your walk:

If you are new to walking and want to know what to wear and take on your walk, or just want to know what to consider when buying your walking clothes and equipment then these articles are for you. We'll also take you through our favourite walking boots, walking jackets, walking trousers, rucksacks, backpacks, water bottles, mapping and safety equipment etc. of 2024. Read our articles:

What to wear on a walk and What to take on a walk

Parking:	The walk starts from Low Fold car park almost opposite Hayes garden centre on the A591 (grid reference NY 377 038). There are quite a few other car parks in Ambleside that can be used as an alternative to this one. If using one of the other car parks, head out along the A591, the main road through Ambleside in the Windermere direction towards Hayes Garden centre. Just before reaching the garden centre, turn left in to the car park to start the walk.
Directions:	Google Maps: get directions here / What3words: purified.trees.including
Walk distance:	6.3 miles (10.1 Km)
Estimated walk time:	3 hours 20 minutes
Height climbed:	610 metres
Grade:	2-C: A medium length walk that has rugged terrain and some steep climbs
Peaks / summits:	Wansfell Pike (482m)
Wainwrights:	None
Map:	Ordnance Survey - Explorer OL7 (The English Lakes - South-eastern Area) Buy this map from Ordnance Survey
Walk features:	Birds, Hills or fells, Lake or tarn, Views, Wildlife, Woods
Facilities / refreshments:	Toilets in the car park. Numerous pubs, cafes and 3 more public toilets in Ambleside. Two more pubs in Troutbeck further along the road from the Nanny Lane turning, a short detour could be made to visit these.
Nearest town:	Starts in Ambleside and passes through Troutbeck
Local self-catering accommodation:	View self-catering accommodation close to the start of this walk from Sykes Holiday Cottages or from Holidaycottages.co.uk
Local hotels, inns and B&Bs:	View hotels and inns close to the start of this walk from The Inn Collection Group
Walk Tags:	Video walk, Wainwright, Wansfell, Wansfell Pike, Troutbeck, Cumbria, Lake District, Hay's Garden Centre, Skelghyll Wood, Jenkin Crag, High Skelghyll, Low Skelghyll, Hundreds Road, Robin Lane, Annie's clock, St John's well, St James's well, St Margaret's well, Nanny Lane, The Hundreds, Stockghyll Force, Lake District National Park
Video run time:	25 minutes 18 seconds

Hill profile:

Video preview:

Downloads are available in different resolutions for your PC, SmartPhone and other mobile devices and are provided in mp4 format for maximum compapability with a wmv version also available. You also receive a PDF document with the walk details and an Ordnance Survey map extract that you can print out or view on your mobile device. Watch the video on your PC or burn to a CD or DVD to watch on your TV to see in detail the walk before you set off.

All downloads are available instantly.
Once saved to you device, you can then play them an unlimited number of times whenever you want!