Walks near the Three Shires Inn: Wansfell from Ambleside

Ambleside is the closest town to the Three Shires Inn and an easy and pleasant bike ride away.

This walk starts from the very centre of the town, taking in the attractive Stockghyll Force waterfall and then the summit of Wansfell Pike - a fantastic promontory for viewing the higher mountains - before heading back to Ambleside.

The way can be very muddy and rough and the ascent to the top of Wansfell is steep.

Ambleside to Stockghyll Force

From the Salutation Hotel follow Stockghyll Lane, where a sign points the way to the waterfalls.

Keep following the lane, which takes a couple of dog legs and then runs beside Stockghyll itself. The lane heads uphill until a footpath branches off to the left, following the side of the ghyll through woods and eventually leading all the way to the impressive braided waterfalls of Stockghyll Force. There is something magical about the hidden gorge of the waterfalls and it really is quite special to be able to reach such a beautiful spot so easily from the middle of a town.

Stockghyll Force to Wansfell

Stay on the footpath and pass the head of the falls where you will see a sign pointing to the right towards the turnstile. Follow this and go through the turnstile to emerge onto the lane. Turn left and follow a footpath sign along the lane out of the woods.

Keep following the lane for a short distance until you reach a stile on the right and footpath sign. Cross the stile and follow the well worn path, which leads uphill, eventually becoming very steep and following stone steps towards the summit of Wansfell Pike.

Make sure you take time to have a breather en route and enjoy the wonderful views which become visible towards Langdale and the central fells, before eventually reaching the summit at 482m.

Wansfell Pike to Ambleside

Paths go in three directions from the summit. The path you have already climbed drops back towards the town, while another heads north east following the line of a wall. Another option descends to the east.

Take the path heading east, which is obvious and consists of a few sections of stone steps. This drops down the flank of Wansfell and gradually flattens out before reaching a wall.

Immediately after going through a gate in the wall turn right onto a distinct path. This heads gradually downhill until it reaches a gravel lane by a small waterfall. Turn left on the gravel path and pass through a gate.

Follow the lane all the way down to where it meets another lane and turn right (signposted to Ambleside). This lane leads to gates, a small wooden bridge and a cattle grid. After the cattle grid a sign points in three directions to Troutbeck, the Low Wood Hotel and Ambleside. Continue walking towards Ambleside.

The lane now leads into Skelghyll Wood. Keep following the lane, ignoring any paths leading off it, to emerge onto the main road back into Ambleside.