Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg & Stone Arthur

Friday 2nd June 2023

Walking Diary (All Walks) Lakeland Wainwrights Eastern

Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg & Stone Arthur.

Starting on the 'coffin route' before walking one side of the Fairfield horseshoe and then back down via Stone Arthur with it's glorious views over Grasmere and the central fells of the lake district.

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Distance: 8.3 miles
Duration: 4:30 hours
Ascent: 2808 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Accompanied By: On my Own
Weather: Hot & Sunny

Wainwrights Visited

Great Rigg Heron Pike Nab Scar Stone Arthur

3D outline of route

Parking

A great place to start a walk in the lakes - Parking alongside the A591 just outside of Grasmere with Helm Crag standing proud in the background.

A lovely sunny day which makes the lush green surroundings and bright rhododendron colours a joy to walk amongst.

Wordsworth territory as I branch off left along the lane on the outskirts of Grasmere.

Views of Nab Scar as I head along the lane, which then turns into a track and finally a path on the 'coffin route'

Loughrigg Fell

Rydal Water with an arial visitor.

A sharp left turn as I leave the coffin route and then the hard work starts as I start the climb up Nab Scar.

High Pike & Low Pike on the other side of the Fairfield Horseshoe. Now I don't know about you ? but I always favour going clockwise round this horseshoe, I don't really know why either - habit probably.

How many folk must start the Fairfield Horseshoe here and begin to wonder what on earth they have let themselves in for. There's certainly a lot of ascent in the first couple of miles.

Stunning views of Rydal Water and Grasmere from the summit of Nab Scar. The background (L-R) comprises of Loughrigg Fell, The Coniston Fells, Lingmoor, Pike of Blisco, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell amongst others.

Heading up the next one - Heron Pike.

Here's a view along the wide ridge between Heron Pike and Great Rigg. Now, I wanted to take a photo of the summit of Heron Pike, but I couldn't as a small group of walkers had decided to have a picnic on the summit cairn. This is a real pet hate of mine, I know folk don't realise what they are doing is spoiling it for others, but I wish they wouldn't.

The ascent up to the top of Great Rigg.

Great Rigg summit looking south towards Windermere.

A satisfying walk 'down' to the top of Stone Arthur - all the hard work had been done earlier on in the day.

Stone Arthur summit with superb views over Grasmere.

Time to head down, gentle descent at first with a steep bit at the end.

Looks like 'Fix the Fells' group are upgrading the path around here.

The last steep descent on a good stone staircase.

Still lovely and hot - but I did enjoy the bit of shade as I wandered back alongside Greenhead Gill.

Back out into the sun with views over to Helm Crag as I finish the days walk.