Ambleside via the south ridge up Red Screes: route map, distance and time
779 m · Cumbria
Red Screes is the big fell above Kirkstone Pass and Ambleside, with a short, steep climb from the pass to a summit with a trig point and a small tarn.
Leave the Kirkstone road above Ambleside and follow the long grassy south ridge over Snarker Pike to the top.
Ambleside via the south ridge at a glance
| Distance | 5.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 717 m |
| Time up | 2h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ambleside (Kirkstone road) |
| Start grid reference | NY 376 044 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 396 087 |
Ambleside via the south ridge 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 the Ambleside via the south ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 20m | 3h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 55m | 4h 20m |
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 13:37 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:35 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Red Screes summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Red Screes right now. The main Red Screes page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Red Screes forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Red Screes
Red Screes is the big fell above Kirkstone Pass and Ambleside, with a short, steep climb from the pass to a summit with a trig point and a small tarn. More about Red Screes, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Middle Dodd (654 m), 0.8 km north
- Little Hart Crag (637 m), 1.6 km north-west
- High Hartsop Dodd (519 m), 2 km north
- High Pike (657 m), 2.2 km west
- Stony Cove Pike (764 m), 2.5 km north-east
- Low Pike (508 m), 2.5 km west
Challenges that include Red Screes
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
- Marilyns · 1,555
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 Low Sweden Bridge up Low Pike
Other routes up Red Screes
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkstone Pass | 1.1 km one way | 320 m | 0h 45m | Moderate |
| Cow Bridge via Caiston Glen and Scandale Pass | 5.8 km one way | 640 m | 2h 15m | Hard |
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 NY 396 087), 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 the south ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Ambleside via the south ridge?
The Ambleside via the south ridge is 5.8 km one way to the summit of Red Screes, with 717 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.6 km.
How long does the Ambleside via the south ridge take?
About 2h 20m to the summit of Red Screes and 3h 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 4h 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Ambleside via the south ridge?
The Ambleside via the south ridge starts from Ambleside (Kirkstone road). The grid reference is NY 376 044.
Is the Ambleside via the south ridge 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 the Ambleside via the south ridge today?
By 13:37 at the latest. Sunset on Red Screes today is 18:07, The Ambleside via the south ridge takes about 3h 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 the Ambleside via the south ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).