The Fairfield Horseshoe

Fairfield is one of the most impressive Lake District fell walks, and for lovers of high level circuits, this is a sure fire ‘classic’. The Fairfield Horseshoe is a stunning sight and towers high above Ambleside, leaving the shoppers and cafe goers looking up in awe. From Fairfield’s summit you can see spectacular views in every direction. The Fairfield Horseshoe is host to eight summits including Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar.

The walk along the ridge is long but thoroughly satisfying; leaving you invigorated and wanting more. It is a challenging and rewarding day out, offering walkers an array of summits, excellent scenery, tarns, streams and roaming fells. The Fairfield guided walk is the ultimate horseshoe and the next step into the world of Lake District Mountains.

Guided Walk Overview

  • Height: 873m / 2,864ft
  • Distance: 17.5km / 11.5 Miles
  • Time: 5.5 Hours
  • Grade: Moderate

Equipment Needed

  • Walking Boots
  • Waterproof Jacket and trousers
  • Rucksack
  • Warm tops
  • Spare clothing
  • Hat & Gloves
  • Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
  • Packed lunch
  • Water bottle/Thermos Flask
  • Torch and whistle

A 15% discount is available on all equipment and clothing from the Adventure Peaks store. This is valid from the time of booking to the date of the walk.

Adventure Peaks Classic Lake District Guided Walks are aimed at regular walkers with little previous experience who would like to explore the Lake District fells. The Lake District Guided Walks can range from easy, moderate and hard. They can be rigorous and demanding, filled with excitement, new experience, or rekindle old memories. Adventure Peaks Lake District Guided Walks can ultimately give you that sense of being in another world. A world that only the mountains, rivers and forests of the Lake District can give you.

Wainwrights Included

Low pike, 508m – High Pike, 656m – Dove Crag, 792m – Hart Crag, 822m

Fairfield, 873m – Great Rigg, 766m – Heron Pike, 766m – Nab Scar, 612m

Total ascent/descent

1,066m/3,500ft

Where to Meet

9.00am @ Adventure Peaks, 101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0DB. You should have your rucksack packed ready to depart including a full packed lunch.

The day will finish between 3.00-3.30 pm

If you are not there within 20 minutes of the departure time (9am) the group will begin their walk.

Previous Experience

You should have a good level of fitness and be comfortable walking for 6-7 hours per day with around 1,066m (3500ft) of ascent.

*Grades Explained

We grade all of our walks on the length of day, amount of ascent and exposure. We have 3 grades; Easy, Moderate and Hard. If there is an exposure e.g. a narrow ridge line or edge (Striding/Sharp Edge) then the walk will be graded accordingly e.g. Hard/Exposure.

Weather Conditions

Hill walking can be undertaken in most weather conditions. Our instructors will endeavor to make the best use of the conditions to give you an enjoyable and rewarding day out.

“No group of fells in the Lake District exhibit a more striking contrast in appearance when surveyed from opposite sides than this lofty Fairfield group”
“On the north side the Fairfield range is magnificent: here are dark precipices, long fans of scree, abrupt crags, desolate combes and deep valleys: a tangle of rough country, small in extent but full of interest, and well worth exploration.”
Alfred Wainwright

Books & Maps

Ordnance Survey OL 5 covers The Southern area of the Lake District and OL7 covers the Northern area at a scale of 1:25,000. The BMC produce a Lake District map at a scale of 1:40,000, which are waterproof and tear resistant, specially designed for walkers and climbers.

Participation Statement

Adventure Peaks recognizes that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

 

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