The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 1 Wainwright and 2 interesting pubs.
Calculated time: 5h20[?] 
Distance : 8.42mi
Vertical gain : 1634ft
Vertical drop : 1903ft
Highest point : 1522ft
Lowest point : 148ft 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Area : Lake District 
Location : Windermere
Starting point : N 54.380119° / W 2.904031° 
Arrival : N 54.418932° / W 2.961475° (D) Leaving Windermere Station, head across the A591 towards a sign that indicates the start of the path up to Orrest Head. There are a few short-cuts but the main path weaves its way up to the viewpoint without much complication.
(1) From Orrest Head, descend through the fields to Crosses Farm to pick up a sign-posted track "Troutbeck 1½ mile". Go through the farm at Far Orrest, turn right then left to follow the old track past Allen Knott. When you reach the road at Fusethwaite Yeat, turn right for 50 yards then left along the track called Longmire Road. Keep straight on until you are above the Limefitt Holiday Park, which you go through, over Trout Beck and up to the A592 Kirkstone Pass road. Go left, down to Jesus Church and then right through the church grounds to find a track that leads across to Troutbeck and the Mortal Man pub.
(2) After a refreshing pot of tea, turn left along the road (heading towards Townend) for about 50 yards the right up the track known as Nanny Lane. This pleasant walled track takes you through a gate just before a single oak tree. About 100 yards further on the route leaves the lane, heading left and upwards towards Wansfell Pike (Wainwright at 487m).
(3) The views from Wansfell Pike are worth taking in and maybe a lunch stop is a good excuse to spend some time there before heading west towards the woods. The path curves north and drops quite steeply heading for Stockghyll Force. At a junction, turn left to follow the ghyll and down into Ambleside.
(4) You might want to get refreshments and food as you pass through the centre of Ambleside (The Golden Rule Pub, grade II-listed building, was voted "Britain's Best Post-walk Pint" in 2019). To get to the pub, turn right at the end of Stockghyll Lane, then right again to go past the Tourist Information Centre, down North Road and turn left at the end. From the pub, carry on down Smithy Brow (Kirkstone Road) and turn left at the junction (mini roundabout). Go past the famous Bridge House (National Trust) and bear right at the junction. Turn left at The Slack and head for The Smithy Fish & Chips shop (check out Ghyllside Cycles next door). Turn right down St Mary's Lane, past the Kelsick Centre and turn right onto Church St. Turn left onto King St and go past the car park and main bus-stop. Turn left up Kelsick Road, then right at the top (indicated Windermere, Kendal A 591). The last section of the route uses a side road, the Old Lake Road, to break up the pavement walk along Lake Road, that funnily enough goes to the lake. When you reach the Lakeside, head for Ambleside Pier (old green and white building) then bear left along the water's edge to reach The Lakeside Restaurant and YHA Ambleside.(A)
Waypoints :
D : mi 0 - alt. 430ft - Windermere Station
1 : mi 0.69 - alt. 745ft - Orrest Head
2 : mi 4.51 - alt. 597ft - Mortal Man, Troutbeck
3 : mi 5.88 - alt. 1522ft - Wansfell Pike
4 : mi 7.08 - alt. 230ft - Ambleside
A : mi 8.42 - alt. 154ft - YHA Ambleside
Food and drink is available along the route. There's a supermarket outside Windermere Station, tea and other beverages at the Mortal Man in Troutbeck, plenty of shops and pubs in Ambleside. Book an evening meal and breakfast at YHA Ambleside to avoid carrying extra weight (in the backpack).
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Enjoy the fells, the views, the villages and the pubs. Don't rush but keep an eye on the weather and the time. Plan ahead and have alternative routes if you get into difficulties (go along Robin Lane to High Skelghyll if the weather is unpleasant). Don't leave any rubbish and don't damage the environment. Keep to the Country Code and respect the farmers, vegetation, animals and rivers. Don't take any plants or stones home; take photos (they last longer and you can share them). Say hello to fellow walkers and help anyone who needs it. Take care of yourself and make the most of the moment!
10.49mi
+2631ft
-2480ft
7h05
Average
Starting point in Windermere - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 2 Wainwrights and 2 interesting pubs.
2.76mi
+112ft
-125ft
1h20
Easy
Starting point in Windermere - Cumbria From Bank Road to Miller Ground with beach and pontoons overlooking Lake Windermere and waterfalls at Wynlass Beck and Mill Beck 20 yards up Sherriffs walk.
17.79mi
+4154ft
-3957ft
11h50
Average
Starting point in Nether Staveley - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 8 Wainwrights, 4 tarns and 1 pub.
11.21mi
+3435ft
-3051ft
8h10
Difficult
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way, there are 7 Wainwrights,1 tarn and 1 pub.
16.43mi
+1965ft
-1880ft
9h15
Easy
Starting point in Hawkshead - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 2 Wainwrights, 1 ferry and 2 lakes.
10.27mi
+2913ft
-2917ft
7h15
Average
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria The Fairfield horseshoe includes seven other Lake District fells. Low Pike, High Pike, Dove Crag and Hart Crag form the outward route with the return over Great Rigg, Heron Pike and Nab Scar back to Ambleside via Rydal. This is a high level route so choose a good day to make the most of the views.
1.63mi
+144ft
-148ft
0h50
Easy
Starting point in Hawkshead - Cumbria A gentle walk in a beautiful setting, enjoyable in any weather. The walk is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs and is not too long for little legs.
4.13mi
+1175ft
-1316ft
2h55
Average
Starting point in Lakes - Cumbria A few kilometres from Ambleside, a walk to the top of Loughrigg Fell overlooking the lakes of the National Park Lake District.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
