to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Scandale and Red Screes
Type:Walking Route
Ambleside, Cumbria
About
Secretly tucked away behind Ambleside is the high valley of Scandale. In times past it provided a direct link between Ambleside and Patterdale for foot and packhorse traffic but with the surfacing of the route over Kirkstone Pass it has fallen out of favour and become something of a backwater. For walkers however this change in fortune is a real bonus, as it provides an unexpectedly quiet and attractive route into the hills, direct from the hustle and bustle of Ambleside.
From the top of the dale at Scandale Pass one option is to break out North West and head towards peaks like Dove Crag, Fairfield or St Sunday Crags. This is a fairly full on choice and will suit experienced walkers. If you are new to the area or want a little less challenging area then the fine summit of Red Screes is the mountain to head for. It sits in a lofty and slightly detached position and can be reached easily from Scandale Pass by a brisk ascent to the South East. Its distinct summit is marked by a trig point and a cairn from where you get superb panoramic views. To the South you can look out over the roofs of Ambleside and along the length of Windermere then to the North you can peer through the depths of Hartsop to the shining waters of Brothers Water and Ullswater, and if that isn't enough to the West and East you have the great peaks of the Central and Eastern fells.
The terrain is village roads, lanes & fell tracks, valley bottom path, mountain pass, steep fellside, stony summit and high rounded ridge.
Planning an adventure in the Lake District, Cumbria? Make sure you’re prepared for your route, the weather, and every possibility. Be AdventureSmart and check out our top tips on staying safe, and having fun before you go.
Book Tickets
Facilities
Routes
- Length of route (miles) - 8
- Typical duration of route - 5 - 6 hours
Awards
- Cumbria Awards
Member of Cumbria Tourism 2016
Related
Tour of Loughrigg Fell, AmblesideThe fells just west of Ambleside are gentler than the higher fells and offer a good introduction to…
Troutbeck and Jenkin Crag, AmblesideTroutbeck and Ambleside are linked by an old bridleway that traverses the southern flanks of…
Claife Heights from Ambleside, AmblesideClaife Heights, an area of low fells lying west of Windermere, is an excellent venue for those new…
Fairfield Horseshoe, AmblesideThe Fairfield Horseshoe is probably the most famous of the classic Lake District rounds - this…
Wansfell Pike, AmblesideThe triangle of fells sandwiched between Ambleside and Troutbeck terminates at the diminutive…
Tour of Langdale, AmblesideLangdale is the closest valley to Ambleside which leads you right into the heart of the Lake…
Lily Tarn and Todd Crag, AmblesideYou don't have to climb to the top of the highest peaks to experience the magical mixture of…
Loughrigg Fell, AmblesideLoughrigg Fell might not be the biggest peak in the Lake District but standing by the summit trig…
Ambleside to Grasmere - 'The Coffin Route', AmblesideWalking the Coffin Road from Ambleside to Grasmere then taking advantage of the bus for the return…
High Sweden Bridge, AmblesideCutting deeply into the hills on the northern side of Ambleside, the wild and lonely valley of…
Tour of the Langdales, AmblesideGreat Langdale, and its sister valley Little Langdale,sit side by side amongst the high dramatic…
The Mountain Road, AmblesideThis ride is one for toughies on mountain bikes.
Tarn Hows and Tilberthwaite, AmblesideBetween Ambleside and Coniston is an intricate network of low fells and twisting dales.
Tour of Coniston and Hawkshead, AmblesideMaking frequent stops and taking in all the attractions of an area is all part of the fun of being…
King Street Car Park, Ambleside, AmblesideParking spaces: General: 29, Disabled spaces: 3, Motorcycle spaces: Can use any of the spaces with…
Lake Road Car Park, Ambleside, AmblesideOpen 7 days a week including bank holidays from 8am to 8pm.
Parking spaces: General: 48, Disabled…
Low Fold Car Park, Ambleside
Rydal Road Car Park, Ambleside
Rydal Road Car Park Public Toilets, AmblesidePublic toilets located adjacent to the car park.
What's Nearby
Parkland and Gothic Revival castle sitting on the west shore of Windermere providing an…
0.02 miles awayOccupying three floors within an historic building this bright and welcoming gallery…
0.04 miles awayFollow the lane behind Barclays Bank in Ambleside Village to reach the falls. About 1…
0.13 miles away
Visible from miles around that spire of St Mary’s nestles into the beautiful landscape of…
0.18 miles awayMuseum, art gallery and reference library covering the history life and arts of the Lakes…
0.22 miles awayRothay Park is a popular park situated in the centre of Ambleside, it is surrounded by a…
0.28 miles away
You may also like
Follow The Lake District, Cumbria on Social Media
Receive all the latest news, special offers and information from the Lake District, Cumbria
