Fairfield Horseshoe.

I set my alarm for 4:30am, so an early night for me. But getting to Rydal early (pre-8am) meant I was able to get a parking place alongside Rydal Church. Small payment made in the church honesty box and I was on my way to the Fairfield Horseshoe nice and early.

The Grot & Waterfall at Rydal Hall viewed from the road bridge.

Following the Coffin Route until I reached this left turn. You can go to the outskirts of Ambleside and then round to start the ascent, but this handy shortcut does cut the corner.

Looking back towards the return leg of todays walk.

The low sun for a while caused some difficulty as I rounded the nose of the climb, but soon it was behind me.

Looking back towards Ambleside and Windermere.

An easy and gradual ascent with views up the Scandale valley.

The final climb up Low Pike (508m).

Standing alongside the summit of Low Pike. From this point on I joined the main ridge path. A little bit of enjoyable hand to rock, but nothing exposed or difficult from here to the next summit, which is High Pike.

Little Hart Crag and Scandale Pass can be seen to my right.

A quick glance back down my route so far with Windermere way off in the distance.

Reaching High Pike summit (2 down, another 6 to go)

The walk was pretty solid underfoot all the way round with the exception of this soggy section. Easily crossed though.

Arriving at Dove Crag summit.

I was a tad concerned that the lovely weather I'd enjoyed so far would soon disappear under a cloak of clag.

Yep, things are beginning to disappear. Hart Crag is somewhere over there.

Hart Crag summit with little in the way of views.

Approaching Rydal Head as the cloud slowly lifts.

Normal service is resumed - I can now see the other side of the horseshoe.

I had taken a phone call for 10 minutes and when it ended I was pleased to see that Fairfield would be in good visibility when I get there.

Looking back at Hart Crag as I make the short climb up to the large expanse of Fairfield's top.

Flat and featureless. In the past (and usually in poor visibility) many folk can get disorientated up here and depart via the wrong path - I have met some on previous occasions.

To be fair, I've had to be cautious in the past that I don't head in the wrong direction as it's easily done without a view. But now there would be no fear of that at all with the long distance views available in all directions.

The very shapely St. Sunday Crag.

I ventured over to the far side of Fairfield's flat top to enjoy the sights that had previously been hidden.

Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike & Helvellyn with Striding Edge to the North.

The rough and grassy summit is extremely flat and you can take your pick as to which of the many cairns is the true summit point.

On my way again as I start the head along the wide ridge towards Great Rigg.

Seat Sandal on the left with Dollywaggon Pike on the right.

Looking back up to Fairfield with Hart Crag on the right.

Great Rigg summit.

The descending shoulder to the right heads in the direction of Stone Arthur, a rocky spur which overlooks Grasmere. Many Wainwright baggers make the 'out and back' slog here, but I prefer to save Stone Arthur for a separate walk day, it's too nice of a climb to just rush and tick off.

The northern top of Heron Pike at 621m, but I think most count the southern outcrop of rock is most peoples idea of the top.

Heron Pike - A few minutes later, and 30' lower, is the top !

Views of Grasmere a plenty as the descent continues.

Arriving at (or should I say descending to) the summit of Nab Scar.

Rydal Water can now be seen down below.

The hole in Loughrigg Fell is the Rydal caves.

Starting the steep descent of Nab Scar in the direction of Ambleside.

With the sun out, I'm pleased to be heading down rather than up.

I stopped and looked back at the last descent, as I consider whether it was easier to do the Fairfield Horseshoe in a clockwise direction, but was it any better? The answer is, I just don't know, I enjoy both ways.

Now for the short stroll to my car at Rydal.