Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal up Fairfield: route map, distance and time

873 m · Cumbria

Fairfield is the high point of the Fairfield Horseshoe above Ambleside, a broad stony summit with crags falling away on its northern side.

Climb over Nab Scar, Heron Pike and Great Rigg to Fairfield, then return over Hart Crag, Dove Crag and High Pike.

Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal at a glance

Distance	6.7 km one way, to the top
Ascent	846 m
Time up	2h 45m by Naismith's rule
There and back	4h 5m, down the same way
Grade	Moderate
Start	Rydal (by Rydal Hall)
Start grid reference	NY 365 062
Summit grid reference	NY 358 117

Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal map

The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.

Height profile and getting to the start

Start grid ref NY 365 062 · Driving directions · By bus or train

Near the start

From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.

How long Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal takes

Pace	To the top	There and back
Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up	2h 15m	3h 20m
Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up	2h 45m	4h 5m
Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up	3h 20m	5h 5m

Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.

Today: sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 13:02 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:00 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 5m for the walk and an hour for stops.

Fairfield summit weather for this route

Good Today Sunday 18 October

Mainly clear, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 29 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October

Dense drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 40 mph gusting 49 mph, 59% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.

Best day of the next seven for Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 29 mph and a 0% chance of rain.

Hour-by-hour Fairfield forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Fairfield?

Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.

What to take today

An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.

About Fairfield

Fairfield is the high point of the Fairfield Horseshoe above Ambleside, a broad stony summit with crags falling away on its northern side. More about Fairfield, with the live forecast.

On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.

Extend the walk: tops near the summit

Hart Crag (823 m), 1.1 km south-east
Great Rigg (766 m), 1.4 km south
Seat Sandal (737 m), 1.5 km west
Dollywaggon Pike (859 m), 1.8 km north-west
St Sunday Crag (841 m), 1.9 km north-east
Dove Crag (792 m), 2.1 km south-east

Challenges that include Fairfield

More walks from Rydal

Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.

Rydal via Heron Pike up Great Rigg
Rydal via Nab Scar up Heron Pike
Rydal via Rydal Mount up Nab Scar
Rydal western Fairfield Horseshoe arm up Heron Pike North Top

Other routes up Fairfield

Route	Distance	Ascent	Time up	Grade
Patterdale via St Sunday Crag	7.0 km one way	888 m	2h 55m	Moderate
Rydal western Fairfield Horseshoe arm	9.2 km one way	—	—	Hard
Grasmere via Stone Arthur	6.4 km one way	830 m	2h 40m	Hard
Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause	8.9 km one way	820 m	3h 10m	Hard
Cow Bridge via Caiston Glen and Scandale Pass	8.9 km one way	830 m	3h 10m	Hard

In an emergency

Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 365 062, the summit at NY 358 117), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.

Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal: questions and answers

How far is Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal?

Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal is 6.7 km one way to the summit of Fairfield, with 846 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.4 km.

How long does Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal take?

About 2h 45m to the summit of Fairfield and 4h 5m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 5h 5m for the round trip.

Where do you park for Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal?

Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal starts from Rydal (by Rydal Hall). The grid reference is NY 365 062.

Is Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal suitable for beginners?

Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.

What time should I start Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal today?

By 13:02 at the latest. Sunset on Fairfield today is 18:07, Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal takes about 4h 5m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.

Is there a GPX for Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal?

Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).