LOUGHRIGG FELL CIRCULAR

 

Now, some may say otherwise, probably many as a matter of fact but I don’t think anything starts the day better than being on two wheels with your pals and watching the sun rise from the heights of the fells here in the Lake District.

 

By some form of a small miracle I had managed to round up the troops for a sunrise ride, this ride wasn’t about “sending it” or trying to become the new KOM, it was about bringing like-minded individuals together to appreciate something as elementary as watching the sunrise.

 

Now, I’ve walked this route many times and some might say I’m doing it the wrong way round, but I wanted to reach Rydal caves pre-sunrise as being the pedantic individual that I am I knew that the rising sun would hit the very peak of Nab Scar. This peak is the most south-western of the famous Fairfield Horseshoe, sitting at 455 meters and just high enough to be kissed by the early morning sun.

 

 

This ride takes in a variety of views, the most spectacular ones include Rydal water, Grasmere and beyond up to as far as the central fells. Helm Crag stands small yet mighty in the middle of the valley, yet another view I never grow tired of.

 

After soaking in the views for a considerable amount of time it was to head down a short road section to Loughrigg Tarn. “Loughrigg Tarn” is a little of tautology, “Loughrigg” means “ridge of the lough” (lake) it’s a fell that’s described as being surrounded by an unusual amount of water with the aforementioned tarns and bodies of water. The fell is accessible from all sides making it an easily achievable circular ride. It’s only 355 meters tall but it still stands as one of my all-time favourite fells thanks to its spectacular 360 degree views.

 

From Loughrigg tarn it’s back up through the middle of the Fell where the bridleway splits the fell in half for a fun descent back into Ambleside. A quality morning with some great company.

 

Written by Andrew Barlow

Photos by Andrew Barlow