Rydal via Rydal Mount up Nab Scar: route map, distance and time
450 m · Lake District E · OS grid NY355072
Nab Scar is the steep southern end of the Fairfield Horseshoe, rising straight out of Rydal above Rydal Water.
A pitched path zigzags up from the lane by Rydal Mount to the top of the scar.
Rydal via Rydal Mount at a glance
| Distance | 2.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 377 m |
| Time up | 1h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Rydal village |
| Start grid reference | NY 365 062 |
| Summit grid reference | NY355072 |
Rydal via Rydal Mount 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
- Badger Bar & Restaurant0.2 km
- The Flying Fleece1.8 km
- Golden Rule1.9 km
- The Old School Room Tea Shop0.2 km
- The Barn Cafe1.6 km
- The Apple Pie1.9 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets1.8 km
- Public toilets2.0 km
- Rydal Hall Campsite0.3 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Rydal via Rydal Mount takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 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 15:37 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 15:35 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Nab Scar summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 8 mph gusting 17 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Good Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 18 mph gusting 27 mph, 31% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Rydal via Rydal Mount: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 17 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Nab Scar forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 1°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- 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 Nab Scar
Nab Scar is the steep southern end of the Fairfield Horseshoe, rising straight out of Rydal above Rydal Water. More about Nab Scar, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Heron Pike (612 m), 1.1 km north
- Heron Pike North Top (621 m), 1.4 km north
- Low Pike (508 m), 1.9 km east
- Stone Arthur (504 m), 2.1 km north
- Loughrigg Fell (335 m), 2.3 km south
- High Pike (657 m), 2.5 km north-east
Challenges that include Nab Scar
More walks from Rydal village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Fairfield Horseshoe from Rydal up Fairfield
- Rydal western Fairfield Horseshoe arm up Fairfield
- Rydal via Heron Pike up Great Rigg
- Rydal via Nab Scar up Heron Pike
- Rydal western Fairfield Horseshoe arm up Heron Pike North Top
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 NY355072), 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.
Rydal via Rydal Mount: questions and answers
How far is Rydal via Rydal Mount?
Rydal via Rydal Mount is 2.1 km one way to the summit of Nab Scar, with 377 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.2 km.
How long does Rydal via Rydal Mount take?
About 1h 5m to the summit of Nab Scar and 1h 30m 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 1h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Rydal via Rydal Mount?
Rydal via Rydal Mount starts from Rydal village. The grid reference is NY 365 062.
Is Rydal via Rydal Mount 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 Rydal via Rydal Mount today?
By 15:37 at the latest. Sunset on Nab Scar today is 18:07, Rydal via Rydal Mount takes about 1h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Rydal via Rydal Mount?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).