This walk starts from Rydal church, St Mary’s, where it is always a delight to view the lovely east window. As you leave by the huge door, walk ahead to see the spectacular show of daffodils in Dora’s field. When Dora, William Wordsworth’s daughter died of TB, he was distraught. In her memory he planted hundreds of daffodils in the field next to the church. The daffodils are still cultivated, the field now owned by the National Trust. The walk continues over several restored paths, through woodland, across the open slopes and beside the River Rothay, with just a glimpse of the tranquil water of Grasmere.

Park in the side road by Rydal church, grid reference 365062, where you are asked to donate £2 to the church funds.

Route

1 After leaving the church, by the great door, go ahead along the pleasing sloping paths through the lovely daffodils and then descend the path to the busy A591. Cross with care, and walk right for a few steps to take on your left a signed footpath, with steps dropping down to the long wooden footbridge over the Rothay. Pause halfway across to enjoy its charm. Once across, turn right to walk an easy track through the lovely woodland to a gate onto the open lower slopes of Loughrigg with the foot of Rydal Water ahead. Soon the path comes to a small crag. If the level of the lake has gone down it is possible to scramble or walk around. If not climb the path to the top and then descend the other side. Continue on beside the lake enjoying the reflections of Nab Cottage and of the imposing Nab Scar.

2 The path carries on along the other side of the wall, with just tiny glimpses of lake and then climbs beside walled woodland on your right. Go through a large wooden gate into the trees and drop down the well-restored path winding through the sylvan glory. On reaching the valley, cross another long footbridge over the hurrying river and turn left beyond. A short way along is a bench seat where you might wish to take a break and listen to or watch the dippers. Walk ahead and go through a gate to ascend the new track through more woodland. Where the track divides, keep left and descend to cross another footbridge (the third) over the foot of Grasmere where the outflow continues as the River Rothay.

3 At the bridge end turn left to walk beside the river. This path has been recently flooded but now is reasonably passable and leads to a gate into woodland. Stroll on along path through the trees, enjoying the burbling of the river to reach the good track descended earlier. Turn right and climb to the wooden gate on to the fell. From here go straight ahead along a good path that climbs steadily, gently curving left over the fell slope. From here the views of Rydal Water are even more spectacular.

4 At the highest point the path becomes very rough for a few feet. Beyond, pass the huge cave that we could once visit but now is fenced off. Keep on the main path, now reinforced, as it arcs around before passing through some fine larch trees. Then the path slopes down. It was probably washed away in earlier storms and now has been restored with boulders and slate. It is unpleasant to walk on but dry and short. Do not attempt the muddy path on the right banking unless you are an agile teenager that never slips on mud! From now on the path continues ahead with more dramatic views of the lake. Go through the next gate into woodland and pass a row of houses. A short way along, opposite the next dwelling, take the signed footpath through woodland to the bridge you crossed near the start of the walk. Retrace your steps up to the road. Cross as soon as it is safe and walk on to the side road by the church where you have parked.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.