NY3405 : Triangulation Pillar, Loughrigg Fell

Loughrigg Fell

335m Elevation
174m Prominence
England Country
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NY3405 : Triangulation Pillar, Loughrigg Fell

Adrian Taylor Photo source

Overview

Loughrigg Fell is a 335.1 m Wainwright and Marilyn near Ambleside in the Lake District. Its rocky, undulating top offers wide views, with summit circuits from White Moss, Rydal and Ambleside. Steep paths and a confusing network of tracks make route-finding important, especially in low cloud.

Loughrigg Fell

Loughrigg Fell rises to 335.1 m near Ambleside, between the Grasmere, Rydal and Langdale valleys. It is a Wainwright and a Marilyn, with 174.1 m of prominence. The summit is a rock outcrop 3 m south-west of the trig point, at grid reference NY346051.

Walking routes

The routes below are complete summit circuits, with distances tied to their particular itineraries:

  • White Moss: 4.9 km. Climb via Rydal Cave and return by Loughrigg Terrace.
  • Pelter Bridge, Rydal: 6.5 km. Approach along the terrace, climb its steep summit path and return by Fox Ghyll.
  • Ambleside: 10.4 km. Cross the summit, descend to the terrace and pass Rydal Cave before returning along Under Loughrigg road.

These are the WalkLakes route variants. Cumbria Tourism describes a different Ambleside circuit of 6 miles, taking 3–4 hours. Choose the itinerary before estimating the day; adding Loughrigg Tarn changes the route. Loughrigg Terrace is a path across the fellside, not a complete circuit in its own right. The National Park's Loughrigg Tarn Circuit stays below the fell and does not visit the summit.

Ground and navigation

The modest height disguises an intricate top of rocky knolls, small tarns and boggy hollows. Summit paths include steep stone steps and eroded sections. Wet rock can be slippery, and the many junctions need care in mist. Rydal Cave is an old quarry with a rockfall hazard; entering it is not necessary for the summit walk.

Views

The fell offers views towards Windermere, the Langdale Pikes, the Fairfield group and the Coniston fells. Loughrigg Terrace overlooks Grasmere.

Access and facilities

Use paid parking at White Moss for the northern circuit, Pelter Bridge for Rydal, or Miller Bridge or Rydal Road for an Ambleside start. Pelter Bridge has limited capacity. Rothay Park provides a pedestrian approach from Ambleside. Public toilets are listed at White Moss Lower, Rydal Road and Rothay Park; Ambleside has shops and places to eat.

The 599 bus connects Windermere railway station, Ambleside, Rydal and Grasmere; the 555 also serves the A591 corridor. Check the timetable for the day and stop you plan to use.

Geology and history

The local Borrowdale Volcanic Group includes tuffs, volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks and igneous intrusions. BGS describes rhyolite sheets near Loughrigg Tarn and towards Rydal. Rydal Cave is a remnant of slate quarrying; hill farming and small nineteenth-century quarries also form part of the township's history.

Loughrigg is commonly interpreted as 'lake ridge'. Historical place-name scholarship allows Norse or Old English origins for the ridge element.

Explore routes near Loughrigg Fell

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Tarn Hows Fast Route

4.1 km ~1h Moderate

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Bow Fell from Langdale

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Great Carrs Halifax Wreckage from Wrynose Pass

4.6 km ~3h Hard

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Coniston to Tarn Hows: Monk Coniston Gardens and Woodland Circuit

8.1 km ~3h Moderate

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

White Moss, Rydal Cave and summit circuit

A 4.9 km circuit from White Moss via the woodland and Rydal Cave, climbing above the cave to the summit and returning down the steep path to Loughrigg Terrace. This is the complete WalkLakes circuit, not the distance of a one-way ascent. Cave entry is optional; rockfall is a hazard.

4.9 km Moderate

Rydal via Loughrigg Terrace and Fox Ghyll

A 6.5 km circuit from Pelter Bridge: pass above Rydal Water and Rydal Cave, follow Loughrigg Terrace, then climb the steep stepped path to the summit. Descend south-east to Fox Ghyll and return along the Under Loughrigg road. The route crosses rough and boggy ground.

6.5 km Moderate

Ambleside, summit, terrace and Rydal Cave circuit

WalkLakes' 10.4 km circuit starts in Ambleside, crosses Loughrigg Fell's summit, descends to Loughrigg Terrace and passes Rydal Cave before returning along Under Loughrigg road. This longer circuit does not include a detour around Loughrigg Tarn. Allow time for navigation on the complex top.

10.4 km Moderate
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Marilyn 300-399m hill Wainwright Birkett Synge Fellranger

Elevation

335m

1,099 ft

Prominence

174m

Coordinates

54.4375, -3.0084

NY346051

OS Map

90

Explorer: OL7N

At the Summit

The highest point is a rock outcrop 3 m south-west of the trig point, according to the Database of British and Irish Hills. The trig pillar is the obvious landmark on the rocky summit knoll.

Terrain & Geology

Woodland approaches bridleways and open fell paths rocky knolls and grassy hollows boggy patches and small tarns steep rough stone-stepped paths above Loughrigg Terrace

The Loughrigg area lies within the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, with volcanic tuffs, volcaniclastic sedimentary rocks and igneous intrusions. The British Geological Survey records rhyolite sheets around Loughrigg Tarn and towards Rydal.

Views & Scenery

Views include Windermere, the Langdale Pikes, the Fairfield group and the Coniston fells. Loughrigg Terrace gives a particularly close view over Grasmere.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name is commonly interpreted as 'lake ridge'. The ridge element may derive from Old Norse hryggr or Old English hrycg, according to W. J. Sedgefield's historical place-name study.

Historical Significance

Rydal Cave on the fell's northern side is a former slate quarry. The wider Rydal and Loughrigg township has a history of hill farming and small-scale nineteenth-century quarrying, as recorded by the Cumbria County History Trust.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Choose parking for your route: White Moss Upper or Lower beside the A591 for the northern circuit; the small, often busy Pelter Bridge car park at Rydal for the eastern circuit; or Miller Bridge or Rydal Road car parks in Ambleside for a longer town-start walk. These are paid car parks. Rothay Park is on the walking approach from Ambleside. Check the operator's signs for current charges and conditions.

Public Transport

Stagecoach 599 links Windermere railway station, Ambleside, Rydal and Grasmere. The 555 also serves the A591 corridor. Check the current timetable and your intended stop before travelling; services and frequencies vary by season.

Nearby Facilities

Ambleside has shops, cafes and restaurants, with public toilets including Rydal Road and Rothay Park. Toilets are also listed beside White Moss Lower car park. Check opening arrangements before relying on them.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Steep, rough and locally eroded summit paths; wet stone pitching can be slippery.
  • Numerous paths and similar-looking knolls make the top confusing in low cloud; carry a map and compass and know how to use them.
  • Boggy hollows and muddy ground between the rocky knolls.
  • Rydal Cave is a former quarry: rock can fall from its roof, and wet stepping stones require care.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Loughrigg Fell?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Loughrigg Fell through the maps

Are there other walkers around Loughrigg Fell?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Loughrigg Fell search or of course create your own walk for Loughrigg Fell

Can I organise a walk to Loughrigg Fell?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Loughrigg Fell.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Loughrigg Fell?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

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Location

Loughrigg Fell location map

Grid reference: NY346051

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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