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Hiking trails & Routes

View of Rydal Water – Grasmere Lake loop from Ambleside

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

View of Rydal Water – Grasmere Lake loop from Ambleside

Moderate

4.8

(466)

3,037

hikers

View of Rydal Water – Grasmere Lake loop from Ambleside

03:49

13.8km

240m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 3, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 6.15 km for 139 m

Customers only

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.41 km

Rydal Water Beach

Highlight • Lake

This place is used for splashing around in the water or swimming in it.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

2.68 km

Rydal Water is one of the smallest lakes in the Lake District. It is only 3/4 mile long by 1/4 mile at its widest point, that is a pretty small 1.2 kilometres by 400 metres in metric terms. However, it is a very popular place because of the connection to William Wordsworth. The views out over Rydal are great from any vantage point, but particularly from here, where you can get a close-up view of the island.

Tip by

3.15 km

View of Rydal Water from Rydal Cave

Highlight • Cave

This deep calm lake is great for swimming, with two little islands to reach.

Tip by

4.00 km

White Moss Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

The bridge at White Moss was installed in July 2014 to replace the previous wooden footbridge and form part of a network of cycle paths and improved access across the Lake District. The bridge was commissioned by the Lake District National Park.

The design of the bridge is inspired by the existing features on site: the three triangular stone pillars that support the bridge and the natural flow of the water. Within the new deck, the three triangular pillars are depicted with Corten steel panels. The movement of the water around the pillars and the swirling eddies that this creates are emphasised in the handrail supports at these locations.

Although the bridge’s handrails are based on traditional estate gates, they are heavier sections and hand-forged and punched holes provide a crafted, tactile finish. The steelwork is galvanised with a patinated finish and an oak deck with Corten steel inlays adds to the harmony of the structure with the rural environment.
(CB Arts)

Translated by Google •

Tip by

4.85 km

Lady Wood

Forest

6.64 km

View of Grasmere Lake

Highlight • Lake

Romantic Grasmere is seen beautifully from the village, with the charming Loughrigg Fell rising beyond. It is easy to see why Wordsworth loved it here.

Tip by

8.12 km

Grasmere

Lake

8.71 km

Grasmere Lake

Highlight • Lake

Just sit back, relax,have some snacks and enjoy the views

Tip by

9.02 km

Beach

9.09 km

Path along the River Rothay

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

The River Rothay flows between Grasmere and Rydal Water. The track follows the southern bank, it's rocky and fun to walk.

Tip by

10.9 km

Rydal Water Beach

Highlight • Beach

Easy trail- just watch out for the walkers!

Tip by

13.8 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

10.0 km

2.19 km

959 m

372 m

155 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

7.93 km

2.69 km

1.20 km

764 m

658 m

439 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Tuesday 18 August

18°C

11°C

82 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

June 24, 2025,Ambleside-Rydal-Grasmere-Ambleside

Our first hike in the Lake District—and an immediate highlight. Rydal Hall Waterfall, Coffin Way to Grasmere (great views of Rydal Water), Grasmere (wow—touristy), Grasmere Lake, and back along the River Rothay. Great views of the mountains, always fascinating despite the cloud cover.

Showing Translation

July 29, 2025,From Grasmere to Ambleside & back

Good circular with some great pitstops. The Badger bar is excellent.

April 21, 2024,Ambleside to Grasmere circular via the Coffin route and back via Rydal water

Nice walk with plenty of great views. Cafe at Rydal Hall is nice.

June 19, 2022,Rydal & Grasmere Loop

Out from Grasmere and onto Rydal.
Back via the coffin route.
Cheeky coffee in Grasmere to finish.

November 20, 2024,Grasmere – View of Rydal Water loop from Ambleside

An anaxing day!. There wasnt a cloud in the sky so the virws were fantastic all day.

September 27, 2021,Ambleside to Grasmere

A really nice gentle walk from Ambleside to Grasmere as we had friends who had a really old dog with them. It may have been quite flat but you still had good views. It was very popular.

We had a drink at Tweedies then caught the bus back.