Loughrigg Terrace Walk
Rydal Cave Detour
This easy-going walk from Rydal near Ambleside follows the elevated path of Loughrigg Terrace, with the option to detour to the impressive Rydal Cave along the way. It’s one of the most rewarding low-effort walks in the area, offering lake views, woodland paths and classic Lakeland scenery
Loughrigg Terrace walk overview
Distance: 5 km
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 3-4hours
Start point: Rydal Water near Ambleside, close to Rydal village and Rydal Lodge
Highlights: Grasmere, Rydal Water views & Rydal Cave
Route description
This easy-going walk from Rydal follows the elevated path of Loughrigg Terrace, with the option to detour to the impressive Rydal Cave along the way. It’s one of the most rewarding low-effort walks in the area, offering lake views, woodland paths and classic Lakeland scenery.
Leave Rydal and follow the road west. Take the opening in the stone wall on the left and cross the wooden bridge over the River Rothay. Turn right and follow the path around the headland. As you pass through the wooded area, the path divides.
Lower Path - Offers stunning lakeside views of Rydal Water. When you pass the ruin on the right follow the rising path as it heads on towards Grasmere, and not through either of the gates on the right which head down to the river and Grasmere Beach.
Higher Path - leads to Rydal Cave. A worthwhile detour on the Loughrigg Terrace Walk, Rydal Cave is a large man-made cavern formed during slate mining over 200 years ago. Slate steppingstones lead into the cave, where still water on the floor often reveals small fish in the clear pool.
Both Higher & Lower paths provide striking views across Rydal Water towards Nab Scar and the surrounding fells.
When you pass the ruin on the right follow the rising path as it heads on towards Grasmere, and not through either of the gates on the right which head down to the river and Grasmere Beach.
Continue along Loughrigg Terrace, where Grasmere Beach (hero image) soon comes into view. Numerous benches line the path, offering peaceful places to pause and enjoy the outlook. The path carries on past where the steep steps head off on the left up to Loughrigg Fell.
Optional ascent: Loughrigg Fell For those with a little more energy, the climb to Loughrigg Fell (above) is well worth the effort, as it provides impressive higher elevated views. Alfred Wainwright regarded Loughrigg Fell as offering one of the finest returns for effort among the Lakeland fells, with exceptional views gained from a relatively modest ascent.
If you prefer to keep the walk easy, continue along Loughrigg Terrace, where you will enjoy numerous stunning views of both Grasmere and Rydal Water.
The following two images were taken from the path heading up to Silver How and looking back to Rydal Water.
The following shows the dragonfly pond, with Windermere in the distant background.
From the path you will see a boggy stream with some stepping stones. Cross the stream and head off slightly left to a rocky climb. The stream opens out to a boggy patch which can be navigated then there is a pretty well-defined path leading away.
You will arrive at a rocky outcrop and hill after a boggy patch with stepping stones, where you should head right and follow the path that skirts the hill. You will see the summit of Silver How in front of you as you skirt around the hill. You need to do a short scramble around the back of the summit to arrive at the summit of Silver How.
From here you pretty much follow the ridge line back down to where you started from doing a complete circuit of the fell. Use these directions with the route map on the pdf for best navigation of the circuit.
Highlights of the Loughrigg Terrace walk
- Panoramic summit views across Rydal Water, Grasmere and the central Lake District fells
- Rydal Cave
- Easily reached from Rydal Water
- Easily reached from Rydal
Other walks near Rydal Water
Loughrigg Fell Walk
Rydal Cave Walk
Rydal Water Circular Walk
Parking near Rydal Water
Several small car parks provide access to the Loughrigg Fell walk around Rydal Water.
White Moss Car Park – approximately 140 spaces located northwest of Rydal Water between Ambleside and Grasmere.
Pelter Bridge Car Park – around 15 spaces located south of Rydal Water near the bridge crossing the River Rothay.
Rydal Lodge Car Park – about 8 spaces, with priority given to guests staying at Rydal Lodge.