Todd Crag and Lily Tarn Walk

This family friendly walk takes you on a loop from Ambleside, up to Todd Crag and back down past Lily Tarn. Here’s how we did it.

This straightforward walk takes you to Todd Crag, which isn’t a fell in it’s own right. It’s known as a satellite peak, and is part of the very well known Loughrigg Fell. It is lower than Loughrigg, making it easier to access, but is a fabulous viewpoint where you can enjoy views right along Lake Windermere.

The two bonus perks of this walk are: first of all it starts in Ambleside, giving you a choice of options for parking or public transport in. Second of all, it finishes in Rothay Park, which is a brilliant park for kids, with plenty of benches for a well-earned rest for everyone!

Here’s the walk…

1. The walk starts at the Miller Bridge town centre car park. Parking here is pay and display, we gave ourselves 3 hours. If you’re arriving on the bus, walk down Rothay Rd from the bus interchange (this is less than 5 mins).

2. Leave the car park where the big ‘EXIT’ sign for cars is. Careful as you walk along here as you’re alongside the exiting vehicles. Make your way across the entrance to the industrial estate, and make your way to Rothay Rd. Cross this road.

3. Head to the right once you’ve crossed the road. Keep going until the road meets the A593, and you see a sign saying ‘Footbridge 50 yards’. Follow this sign to the left. You will have to cross the road again, head down a wide path and go through a gate to find the footbridge. Cross the bridge and turn left onto the path, this will then join the pavement.

4. Walk along the pavement on the A593, walking away from Ambleside. After a few minutes you will see some terraced houses across the road at Clappersgate. Cross here (take care), and look for the gap in the wall with a footpath sign. Take this footpath as it leads up away from the main road.

5. Follow this path as it climbs up through a fairly wooded area. The ground is pretty uneven on the way up here with lots of tree roots and loose stones.

6. You will come to a gate. Go through this and follow the path as it emerges out onto the side of the fell. Continue along this path, fairly soon the views will open up to your left, and there is a convenient bench to stop and enjoy them for a little while (this was our first snack stop!).

7. Continue along the path until you come to a gate. Go through the gate, then just after this where the path splits take the path to the right, uphill through the woods. Follow this as it gets steeper until eventually you come to a gate. Go through this gate.

8. After the gate, follow the path as it takes you forward and round a bend to the left. *Remember to look right here for some stunning views down to Lake Windermere* Now follow this path as it leads through the open fields.

9. You’ll come to a rocky outcrop to your left. This is great for climbing on, and from here you can see Todd Crag, where you are headed. You can see the various paths leading to the crag, and you can choose any of these as your route.

10. We chose to walk along a path to the right side of the wall, then cut through the gap in the wall to the left get to the crag. Some of these paths are quite boggy, and this was the easiest path for us on the day. Once you’re at the base of the crag, you can see the paths up and it’s fairly easy to climb the final metres to the top. Then – enjoy! The view from here is honestly amazing.

11. After a rest, a snack, and plenty of time to enjoy the views, it’s time to continue the loop and head down. From Todd Crag, retrace your steps down and go back through the gap in the wall. You’re now going to head east, with the wall you can see ahead of you on your right.

12. Follow this path as it leads over and then down the hillside. It will take you to Lily Tarn, which will reveal itself to you as you continue along the path. Go round the right hand side of Lily Tarn, and keep going on this path.

13. You will come to a wall with a gate. Go through this gate. Then continue on the path as it leads fairly steeply downhill. Enjoy the views up ahead! The path will lead you all the way to a bridge across a stream. Cross this bridge, and continue to follow the path until it finishes at a low wall.

14. At the wall, you’ll see stone steps on the other side for you to climb down. Once you’re safely down these, follow the wide track as it leads downhill to your right. You will eventually come to a little humpback footbridge (Miller Bridge) on your left. Cross this bridge, and then cross the much more modern one after this too.

15. From here, it’s a straight walk along the path ahead of you until you reach Rothay playpark, which is brilliant for kids (and has public toilets). It’s time for a well deserved rest! Miller Bridge car park where you started, is just along the path on the other side of the playpark.

We hope you enjoyed the walk!

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Ambleside to High Sweden Bridge walk

Loughrigg Terrace Walk

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