Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the Rydal Road car park in Ambleside. It climbs Sweden Bridge Lane out of the town and follows the track up Scandale past High Sweden Bridge to the head of the valley. From Scandale Pass a path climbs north-east to the summit of Red Screes, where a small tarn lies by the trig point, high above the Kirkstone Pass. The descent follows the long south ridge over Snarker Pike and down to the Kirkstone road into Ambleside.
It is 13.0 km with 774 m of ascent; allow about 5¾ hours. The grade is Hard: a long climb with rough, boggy ground.
Scandale Bottom and Snarker Moss are boggy, and the summit is close to steep crags and scree, so keep to the path in mist. There are ladder and step stiles with no gaps for dogs. Paths over the open fell are faint in places, so carry a map and compass.
The Rydal Road car park charges a fee. Frequent buses run to Ambleside from Windermere station.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Up the quiet valley of Scandale by High Sweden Bridge, over Red Screes and down its long south ridge
- A small tarn lies by the summit of Red Screes
Summits on the way
- Red Screes 779 m
- Raven Crag 767 m · passed close by
- Snarker Pike 644 m · passed close by
Getting there
Start: Rydal Road car park, Ambleside · Pay and display. 54.43370, -2.96473
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Rydal Road car park: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
