Fairfield sits at the head of the valley immediately north of Ambleside. It's a busy thoroughfare full of fellwalkers particularly in decent weather. The reason for its popularity is evident. Its close to Ambleside and its such a well defined circuit. Its a fair old yomp at about 16 kilometres with an ascent that takes you up to 873 metres (Approx. 10 miles rising to 2700 feet in old money) at the summit. You can go anti-clockwise via Low Sweden Bridge or clockwise via Rydal Hall. My own choice is the latter up Nab Scar past Heron Pike and over Great Rigg.

To see larger images, click on the thumbnails.

Being such a well defined track it is easy to be complacent. The ground is quite rough as with any fell. It is certainly not a circuit for the occassional fell walker, nor is it the place to wear training shoes. The images above demonstrate the awkwardness of the weather. It may be clear when you set off but it is all too easy for that summit to disappear into the clouds. Extreme care is needed on the summit at such times. There are a number of places where the route is close to steep, precarious drops.

The views on the way up and from the summit are terrific. Ascending Nab Scar gives terrific views across Rydal Water to the caves and Loughrigg Fell. At the summit St Sunday Crag stares you right in the face with Helvellyn and Striding Edge beyond and to its left. Looking back to the south Lake Windermere stretches out before you and disappears into the distance.

As I have said, Fairfield can be busy. The natives are friendly though and it is surprisingly easy to strike up a conversation with people who you would probably ignore in the streets. Perfect strangers, walking and talking. There's got to be a moral in that somewhere.

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Stuart Banner