Fairfield Peak — Local services in England

As well as being the farthest point on the classic (and very busy, in all weathers!) Fairfield Horseshoe, Fairfield is also at the back of another less known Horseshoe - the Deepdale Horseshoe, up from Patterale: Start at Bridge End, Patterdale, go up the Hartsop above How ridge to Hart Crag, a long climb but a good path (bit indistinct near Hart Crag), then along the usual path to Fairfield, then down to Grisedale Hause (when you first see the way down from the back of Fairfield, it's looks pretty scary, but it's a very straightforward good path) and then up the other side to St Sunday's Crag. The descent down the spine of St Sunday to Birks looking down into Grisedale all the while is a delight, you end up on the Grisedale road back to Patterdale - the White Lion pub is then a definite magnet for weary legs. Just don't do what one very tired looking couple I once met did by accident: walked up the Fairfield horseshoe from Rydal, lost their sense of direction at the top (how?) and walked all the way down Hartsop above Howe into Patterdale - thinking Rydal was nearby:-) The White Lion and a taxi over the Kirkstone Pass was...

What an epic mountain to climb.

This mountain can be hit from many angles depending on which way you chose to go. My self, I climbed from pelter bridge car park and walked the Rydal horse shoe.

Pelter Bridge car park gets busy as there are a lot of other walks to do from that location so go early to get a spot, as space is very limited.

The walk itself is a reasonable walk, the path is well maintained by the national Trust and is also a good mountain path with very little technical points along the route. Good views over grassmere, windermere, Coniston and the scafell range. As you summit Fairfield your treated to some spectacular views of striding Edge, helvellyn, dollywagon pike and St Sunday crag.

If you chose to do the horse shoe and go in a clockwise direction, the Eastern fell from high pike to Ambleside is a bog and the path becomes less stable under foot until your closer to the bottom.

All in all,...

Fairfield offers some good views and mild challenge to occasional hikers, if you follow the most established paths. Other routes up are more physically challenging, though don't generally offer as pleasant a scenic experience until you converge with the other paths nearer to the peak. Those new to hill-walking should definitely bring/use a map, as the clarity of paths notably disappears at some points. Getting to the peak rewards you with a good look at other nearby peaks that beckon you over to them - a great way to extend your day's hiking if you're feeling up to the challenge!

Parking in nearby Grasmere is easy and convenient, and offers everything that you could need in the way of parking, facilities, dining, and outdoor...