Discover the Fairfield Horseshoe from The Grand at Grasmere
Some Lake District walks offer a summit. Others offer an entire day in the mountains. The Fairfield Horseshoe belongs firmly in the second category.
One of the Lake District's classic long-distance fell walks, the Fairfield Horseshoe follows a sweeping ridge around the head of Rydal, linking a series of iconic summits before completing a dramatic circuit through the surrounding fells. Along the way, you'll encounter expansive views across Grasmere, Rydal Water, Windermere and the Central Fells, with Fairfield itself providing the high point of the day.
For guests staying at The Grand at Grasmere, the route offers the perfect opportunity to spend a full day exploring some of the Lake District's finest high-level scenery before returning to the comfort of the hotel.
This is a considerably more demanding walk than shorter routes such as Loughrigg Fell or Silver How, so good fitness, appropriate equipment and favourable weather conditions are important. But for experienced walkers, the combination of distance, elevation and panoramic scenery makes the Fairfield Horseshoe one of the most rewarding walks in the area.
Fairfield Horseshoe at a Glance
Detailed Information
- Highest Point – Fairfield, 873m (2,864ft)
- Distance – Approximately 17km (10.7 miles)
- Duration – 5–7 hours
- Difficulty – Strenuous
- Wainwright Fells – Yes – 8 Wainwrights
- Starting Point – The Grand at Grasmere
- Parking – Complimentary guest parking at The Grand at Grasmere
- Dog Friendly – Yes, but only for suitably experienced dogs and owners
- Suitable For – Experienced walkers with a good level of fitness
- Terrain – Fell paths, steep ascents and descents, rocky ground, grassy ridges and exposed high-level terrain
- Navigation – Map and compass or reliable offline navigation strongly recommended
- Walking Boots – Essential
Route Description
Leaving The Grand at Grasmere, the route heads towards the southern end of the Fairfield range before joining the classic horseshoe circuit.
The approach provides a gradual introduction to the day before the route begins to gain height. As the path rises onto the fellside, the views open dramatically across Grasmere and Rydal Water, with the surrounding peaks gradually revealing themselves.
The Fairfield Horseshoe is traditionally walked as a circuit around the valley of Rydal, taking in a sequence of summits including Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike.
The climb to the high fells
The ascent towards Nab Scar provides the first significant test of the route. Once higher on the ridge, however, the character of the walk changes considerably.
The route becomes a classic high-level ridge walk, with broad views opening in both directions. Looking back, Grasmere and Rydal Water sit below you, while ahead the Fairfield range stretches towards the higher Central Fells.
From Nab Scar, the route continues towards Heron Pike and Great Rigg before reaching the highest point of the horseshoe at Fairfield.
Reaching Fairfield
At 873 metres, Fairfield is the highest point of the walk and the natural centrepiece of the route.
The summit is broad and stony rather than sharply defined, creating an almost plateau-like character. On a clear day, the reward is exceptional, with views extending across a huge section of the Lake District.
This is also one of the points where conditions matter most. The broad summit can become difficult to navigate in cloud or poor visibility, so it is particularly important not to rely solely on a visible path or mobile phone signal. Current route guidance recommends carrying a map and compass and being confident in their use.
Completing the horseshoe
From Fairfield, the route turns towards Hart Crag before beginning its descent along the eastern side of the horseshoe.
The ridge continues over Dove Crag, High Pike and Low Pike, providing another series of dramatic viewpoints before eventually descending towards the valley.
The final section brings the route back towards the starting area, completing the circuit and providing a satisfying finish to what is a full day on the fells.
Highlights
- Eight Wainwright summits in one walk
- Fairfield summit at 873 metres
- Panoramic views across the Lake District
- Spectacular views towards Grasmere and Rydal Water
- Classic high-level ridge walking
- A rewarding full-day fell adventure
- Fantastic photography opportunities
- One of the Lake District's most iconic circular walks
- A challenging route for experienced walkers
What You'll See
The Fairfield Horseshoe is one of those walks where the scenery changes constantly as you progress around the ridge.
Early sections provide elevated views towards Grasmere and Rydal Water, while the higher sections reveal increasingly expansive views across the Central and Eastern Fells.
From the higher ground, look out towards:
- Grasmere
- Rydal Water
- Windermere
- Loughrigg Fell
- The Langdale Pikes
- Great Rigg
- Hart Crag
- Dove Crag
- High Pike
- The surrounding Central Fells
The views from the western ridge towards Grasmere and Rydal are particularly rewarding, while the high-level sections around Fairfield provide the feeling of being properly immersed in the Lake District mountains.
On a clear day, the scale of the landscape makes the effort of the climb more than worthwhile.
Is This Walk Suitable?
The Fairfield Horseshoe is not a beginner's walk.
Its combination of distance, elevation gain, steep climbs, uneven terrain and exposed high-level sections means walkers should have a good level of fitness and previous experience of fell walking.
The route itself is well established, but conditions can change quickly in the Lake District. Fairfield's broad summit can also become challenging to navigate in low cloud, mist or poor visibility.
If you're comfortable walking for several hours over steep and uneven terrain and have experience navigating in the fells, the Fairfield Horseshoe is an exceptional full-day adventure.
For a shorter introduction to fell walking from The Grand at Grasmere, Loughrigg Fell, Silver How or Helm Crag may be more appropriate.
Walking Tips
Before setting off:
- Wear sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and grip.
- Carry waterproof clothing, even if the weather looks favourable when you leave.
- Pack plenty of water and food for a full day on the fells.
- Check the mountain weather forecast before setting off.
- Carry an Ordnance Survey map and know how to use it.
- Download the route for offline use rather than relying on mobile signal.
- Allow plenty of time – this is a full-day walk rather than a quick summit outing.
- Take extra care on exposed sections in wet, windy or icy conditions.
- Check daylight hours, particularly outside the summer months.
- Know when to turn back if conditions deteriorate.
The weather in the high fells can be dramatically different from conditions in Grasmere village, so preparation is particularly important on a route of this length and elevation.
Stay Just Steps from the Fells
One of the pleasures of staying at The Grand at Grasmere is having the Lake District right on your doorstep.
After a full day walking the Fairfield Horseshoe, there's something particularly satisfying about returning to the comfort of the hotel rather than travelling home.
After your walk, settle into a comfortable room, enjoy a well-earned drink in the lounge and take advantage of our dining options before relaxing for the evening.
For walkers, The Grand at Grasmere also offers:
- Comfortable luxury accommodation
- Dining in our restaurant
- A welcoming lounge for post-walk drinks
- Secure boot storage
- Heated boot drying facilities
- A location perfectly placed for exploring the Lake District
It's the ideal base for combining a challenging day in the fells with a little luxury afterwards.
Plan Your Walk
Ready to take on one of the Lake District's classic fell circuits?
Download the Fairfield Horseshoe route below or follow the interactive map to plan your day before setting off from The Grand at Grasmere.
Remember to check the weather, allow plenty of time and make sure you're properly equipped for a full day in the mountains.
Happy walking!
