Lake District 2023: The Wansfell Wander. Circuit from Ambleside via Stockghyll Force and Troutbeck

This was a lovely circular walk where we climbed Wansfell Pike and Wansfell Baystones in mostly warm and sunny conditions. Starting from Ambleside, we passed the Bridge House and the Salutation Hotel and took the road up to the Waterfalls in StockGhyll Woods. After seeing the falls, we proceeded back to the road where we found the path to the summit of Wansfell Pike. This however is not the wainwright so we proceeded on to Baystones in light rain and bagged this summit.
From here we descended to Troutbeck via Nanny Lane where we stopped at the Old Post office Coffee stop for Aplle Pie and Cream. Finally we returned to Ambleside via Robin Lane passing Jenkin Crag on the way.
This was a fabulous route, we highly recommend it, as it gives fabulous views across to Kentmere, Windermere, the Langdales and the Kirkstone Pass.
Enjoy!
#lakedistrict #ambleside #wansfell

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

Another absolutely stunning hike despite the weather. Beautiful waterfall and birdsong. Thanks for sharing.

[@ashleyjarnold]

Thanks Chris, we really enjoyed this one, little bit of rain didn't really dampen our spirits - we had worse weather later in the week!! Regards, Ashley

[@gerrymcveigh]

Ashley, the woods, the waterfall and the birdsong were pretty cool👍A much better day higher up with mist free views over the lakes and mountains. The wall was a bit Mournesque and loved that there is some tree planting going on - much needed in upland areas throughout the whole UK🌳🌳 You were well seated in the tearoom😊

[@ashleyjarnold]

I found my spot at last!! There's a number of re-wilding projects going on in the Lake District, planting native trees rather than imported conifers, and a lot of protection for Red Squirrels. Also working to protect swamps and marshy areas. Thanks for stopping by, regards, Ashley.

[@wendingourway]

Always such great views...and those rock walls are so intriguing and have probably stood for ages. Enjoy the weekend. Bruce and Otis

[@ashleyjarnold]

Thanks Bruce and Otis too! I think you are referring to the wall just after Wansfell Pike - It's a real work of art, and will be around for many years to come as you say. Weekend has been busy, did parkrun this morning and have just finished cutting the lawns! Regards, Ashley

[@DAoutdoors]

Hi Ashley, Hi Andrea, wonderful video, and a wonderful route. I’m yet to tick off Wansfell, I think I might give this route a go. Thank you ever so much for sharing it with us. All the very best, Dave 😀⛰🥾🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@ashleyjarnold]

Thanks so much Dave. It's another great Lake District fell, and not too difficult. It always helps when there is a coffee shop on route!! Regards, Ashley

[@AlanMETALMAN]

Bring it on - good attitude! I remember that walk up through the woods well but never geo as far as the Fell there. Loved the moody clouds and looked a good day for walking too with some great views but shame the rain had to come but at least it was on the way down. Funny, retail therapy are always two words that put a smile on Mrs Metalmans face too, cheers Alan

[@ashleyjarnold]

They love all that endless browsing!! Not a short one this but plenty to see and we liked that we could be a circular route and fit in the tea shop!! Regards, Ashley

[@eddiecaisley5746]

Hi Ashley. Really nice walk with some cracking views. The view from Wansfell Pike is superb. Great stuff. Cheers. Eddie.

[@ashleyjarnold]

Thanks Eddie. I'm slowly getting my Lakes videos done - you must have a few from your Lake Garda trip still to do or have I missed one? Regards, Ashley

[@eddiecaisley5746]

@@ashleyjarnold I have 4 to 5 videos still to do from Lake Garda, just need to get myself motivated to get them done. I have the footage all in the software and split in to separate videos, just need to get the editing done. Cheers. Eddie.

[@ashleyjarnold]

I have 7 more to do from the Lakes trip, and like you the files are all downloaded and in the laptop - Andrea says do 1 a week!! I might even get out tomorrow and do a local walk because the weather has turned for the better - global warming hasn't reached the UK yet!! Ashley

[@stubloggs6358]

Great selection of photos in the intro.......Ghyll scrambling is also off our itinerary lol....although the waterfall im sure is impressive after heavy rain, when we went I was a bit disappointed, but the walk through is still lovely. The views open up very quickly on the way to Wansfell, yes the birdsong was lovely. A very well defined but steepish path up where a rest was well warranted...........(the most important thing about any walk you do Ashley is that YOU feel you have accomplished your goal and enjoyed it, too many people put too much emphasis on a ''wainwright'', just my opinion 😊)......stunning views throughout Ashley. Andrea showing an impressive burst of speed to the other summit. The path down to Troutbeck looked a joy after a summit walk........so glad you showed that sign saying the tea-room was shut on a Tuesday(we had planned to do that route on a Tuesday but changed our plans last minute)........very apt you were put in naughty corner ha,ha. Beautiful path back down into Ambleside with views down Windermere. This will be on my radar to do next year, great video. ATB....Stu/Wendy...👍👍....PS Wendy also speeds up when she senses retail lol.

[@ashleyjarnold]

Thanks Stu/Wendy, such great detail in your comments. You are so right, it's not all about the Wainwrights, often a lake or a forest walk can be equally stunning. We walked once from Ashness Bridge to Watenlath and back and really loved it - coffee shop also helped and great views at the tarn. Retail therapy for Andrea is just part of our deal, though rarely do I go in or film!! Regards, Ashley

[@stubloggs6358]

@@ashleyjarnold No problem Ashley, I know how much goes into filming and editing a video.......That Watendlath walk is really beautiful.....you might want to consider going on to Dock tarn next time you are in the area, its worth the extra effort and you could promise Andrea a bit of retail therapy as a bonus....😊 Myself and Wendy have a very similar deal..😎.

[@daveostlemountainman]

I have been up to that waterfall numerous times and I never knew there was a path to Wansfell up there.. Looks a good route :)

[@ashleyjarnold]

Thanks Dave, circular routes are always good! On our next one, Stone Arthur, you even get a mention, free of charge!! Ashley

[@daveostlemountainman]

aw thanks, I appreciate it.. hope you found the summit as I couldn't tell which one it was haha@@ashleyjarnold

[@ashleyjarnold]

We opted for one and just claimed it in the mist!!

[@hikingtohealth]

Still can't get over how beautiful that place is, tell me this Ashley I know you've been there before but where yous using maps to find your way or do you know it from memory?

[@ashleyjarnold]

Well now, that's a real good question. When we first went to the Lake District our navigation skills were hopeless and we needed to sort that out. Every walk we did on this trip was brand new to us, so no memory to fall back on. I have all 4 paper maps of the Lake District, OL4 TO OL7, we take the right one with us on each walk but rarely look at it. What I do have is the OS App on my phone and these 4 OS maps so I can plot and follow routes on this - it also uses GPS Tracking so we always know where we are. however, we still sometimes get lost, as the fells and paths are tricky. So, I watch youtube videos of many others to familiarise myself with the route and landmarks - I always try to show our route clearly for others too. If I can find the car park and the starting path I'm normally well sorted. Sorry for such a long answer!! Now the Mournes or anywhere in our country is another ball game as we have no OS Maps - i just use the Discovery Maps, experience, and a Mourne Mountains Book. Hope that answers the question!! Regards, Ashley

[@hikingtohealth]

Yep pretty much 😅.