Wansfell from Troutbeck walk
Follow this challenging circular trail along old tracks and footpaths from Troutbeck to the fells. You're rewarded with outstanding views over Windermere and Ambleside from the top of Wansfell.
Near to
TownendStart point
Jesus Church, Troutbeck, grid ref: NY412027Trail information
*Some of the trail is on rocky and uneven ground. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**The walk is not suitable for people with limited mobility. For further details, please see section marked Access.
*** Dogs are welcome. Please keep your dog on a lead as area is grazed with sheep and cattle.
Prepare for unpredictable weather
A map, compass, waterproofs, whistle, and torch are all essential for this walk. The weather on the exposed fell tops can be much more extreme than the start of the walk.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Jesus Church, Troutbeck, grid ref: NY412027
Stage 1
From Jesus Church bus stop, follow the narrow Green Gate Lane going west into Troutbeck village. At the top of this lane is Troutbeck tea-room. Turn left here and follow the road through the village for around 1km until you reach Townend on your right.
Stage 2
Stay right to stay on Holbeck Lane and head past Townend car park. Take the first path to your right, Fell Lane, and at the end turn left onto Hundreds Road.
Stage 3
Continue on Hundreds Road for almost a mile, until you pass a waterfall on the left. Turn up on to the grassy path towards Nanny Lane following National Trust signs.
Stage 4
Just before reaching Nanny Lane, turn left and go through a kissing gate and walk up to Wansfell Pike, which has superb views of Ambleside and the surrounding fells.
Stage 5
Follow the path that leads north-east from Wansfell pike along the side of a wall until you reach Baystones, the marked summit cairn of Wansfell.
Stage 6
From the summit cairn, walk southerly following the footpath downhill for 1.5 miles (2.4km) until you reach Troutbeck.
Stage 7
When you reach the road in Troutbeck, turn left and almost immediately turn right onto a small lane. Where that lane meets a small road, turn left and soon after turn right onto another lane, which then becomes a footpath back to Jesus Church.
End point
Jesus Church, Troutbeck, grid ref: NY412027
Trail map
Circular walk over Wansfell from Troutbeck | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Ambleside to Troutbeck walk
From Ambleside go on a circular discovery walk through country lanes, woods and fields. Along the way enjoy views of Lake Windermere, visit Troutbeck village and Townend farmhouse, and climb up to Wansfell Pike for great views of the fells.
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A 4-mile circular walk through classic Lake District scenery from Brockhole near Lake Windermere, through Troutbeck Valley to visit Townend, a 17th-century farmhouse.
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Discover the area around Townend, a 17th-century farmhouse a stone's throw from Lake Windermere.
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