A great walk from Grasmere to Alcock Tarn and then almost half of the Fairfild Horseshoe.
Date: 18th February 2017 Distance: 10.2km (6.33 Miles) Parking: Roadside A591
Start Location: Grasmere A591 Ascent (m/ft): 834m (2736ft) Weather:

Cloud Base 350m
Time Started: 10:45 Highest Point: Great Rigg (766m/2513ft) Difficulty: Moderate
Duration: 3 Hours 20 Minutes        
Route: Grasmere - Alcock arn - Nab Scar (450m/1476ft) - Heron Pike (612m/2008ft) - Rydal Fell (621m/2037ft) - Great Rigg (766m/2513ft) - Stone Arthur (500m/1640ft) - Grasmere

At the start of the walk looking up to Heron Pike which is lost in the cloud. The base at this time must have been around 200m.

The path to Alcock Tarn.


A view back to a cloud free Helm Crag.

Some cloud free summits over there too.

Old structures at Greenhead Gill.

Walking up into the cloud.

I suppose normally you would get a fine view of the whole tarn from here... today, not so much...

This is the summit cairn on Nab Scar - the first Wainwright along the ridge.

The cairn again from the other side. From here I headed north along the ridge.

To this summit which is of Heron Pike.


This time with the wet path in view.

This cairn marks the north summit of Heron Pike also known as Rydal Fell.

The cairns were the only main feature along the route without the views. This one marks the top of Great Rigg and a turning point for me.

I headed south west down to Stone Arthur.

And finally started to get some views. This one is down to Grasmere.

My route up earlier today - the cloud base has risen a fair amount as the notch to the left is where Alcock Tarn is.

Crossing the gill with a view to Grasmere lake.

And a final view from Loughrigg Fell round to Silver How.