Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge up Low Pike: route map, distance and time
508 m · Lake District E · OS grid NY373078
Low Pike is the first top on the eastern arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe above Ambleside, a rocky little summit beside a long stone wall.
Follow the lane out of Ambleside to Low Sweden Bridge, then climb the open ridge beside the wall to the rocky summit.
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 446 m |
| Time up | 1h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ambleside (Rydal Road car park) |
| Start grid reference | NY 376 044 |
| Summit grid reference | NY373078 |
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge 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
Near the start
- Royal Oak0.1 km
- The White Lion0.1 km
- The Ambleside Inn0.1 km
- Sheila's Cottage0.0 km
- Costa0.0 km
- Kopi Tiam0.0 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 50m |
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 14:52 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:50 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Low Pike summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Low Pike right now. The main Low Pike page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Low Pike forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Low Pike
Low Pike is the first top on the eastern arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe above Ambleside, a rocky little summit beside a long stone wall. More about Low Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High Pike (657 m), 1 km north
- Heron Pike North Top (621 m), 1.8 km north-west
- Heron Pike (612 m), 1.8 km west
- Nab Scar (450 m), 1.9 km west
- Red Screes (779 m), 2.5 km north-east
- Dove Crag (792 m), 2.6 km north
Challenges that include Low Pike
More walks from Ambleside
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike up Baystones
- Ambleside via Low Pike and High Pike up Dove Crag
- Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside up Hart Crag
- Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike up High Pike
- Ambleside via Scandale Pass up Little Hart Crag
- Ambleside via Rothay Park up Loughrigg Fell
- Ambleside via the south ridge up Red Screes
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 376 044, the summit at NY373078), 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.
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge: questions and answers
How far is Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge?
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge is 3.8 km one way to the summit of Low Pike, with 446 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 7.6 km.
How long does Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge take?
About 1h 30m to the summit of Low Pike and 2h 15m 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 2h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge?
Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge starts from Ambleside (Rydal Road car park). The grid reference is NY 376 044.
Is Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge 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 Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge today?
By 14:52 at the latest. Sunset on Low Pike today is 18:07, Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge takes about 2h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).