Wansfell from Troutbeck Walk

A 6.3 mile (10.1 km) loop from Jesus Church in Troutbeck, and that figure is the total distance for the whole circuit, village approach and return included. Allow 3 to 5 hours, with around 436 m of ascent. Graded challenging, mostly for the sustained climb and the rough ground up top.

From the church and Church Bridge (grid ref NY412027) you follow Green Gate Lane into Troutbeck, then walk the length of the village past Townend before turning up Fell Lane onto Hundreds Road. That old track is the easier way to gain height, and after much of the climbing is behind you it passes a waterfall before a grassier path leads toward Nanny Lane. A left turn through a kissing gate puts you on the final, simple pull to Wansfell Pike, which is the well known viewpoint but not the top. From there you head north-east beside a wall to Baystones, the marked summit of Wansfell, before turning southerly for the open descent back toward Troutbeck, with lanes and footpath returning you to Jesus Church. Nanny Lane is an ancient track back into the village.

The payoff is the contrast: a historic village, a quiet pastoral valley, then rough fellside, the Wansfell Pike viewpoint and the Baystones summit, with broad views over Windermere and Ambleside when visibility allows. Views depend entirely on the day, and cloud can sit on these tops when the valley looks fine.

• Country lanes, field footpaths and open fell, with rocky, uneven sections and possible mud.
• The descent is open and fairly featureless, so it pays to know where you are turning off.
• Exposed fell tops here can have more extreme weather than the start. Carry map, compass, waterproofs, whistle and torch as essentials.

Dogs are welcome and should be kept on a lead, as the area is grazed by sheep and cattle.

Parking in Troutbeck is limited to a few off-road spaces and roadside laybys, and the village is popular with walkers, so a space is not guaranteed. Arriving early helps. By bus, the nearest stop is Troutbeck Bridge, about 1.3 miles from the start, which adds a road walk at each end.

The shorter, direct up-and-down ascent of Wansfell Pike from another access point is a separate walk and misses the village, Hundreds Road and Baystones entirely.