NORTH WEST
04 Great Rigg, Cumbria
Distance: 9.6 miles/15.4km | Time: 6–7 hours | Grade: Challenging | Total ascent: 1,059m
This all-day walking adventure in Lakeland has it all. Climb high into the fells to stand on Great Rigg’s summit for incredible far-reaching views of the National Park, then seek out Buckstones Jump in the valley below, a wonderful hidden plunge pool that was one of William Wordsworth’s favourite spots to wander to.
The poet’s bucolic country home, Rydal Mount, is now open to the public and makes the perfect ending point for a well-deserved afternoon tea after stretching your legs in the fells.
1 START
This 9.6-mile route starts at the village of Rydal, next to Rydal Water, then quickly climbs a narrow footpath up the side of the fells to reach the Nab Scar Wainwright. This first section is a stiff steep climb, but it’s mercifully brief.
2 0.8 MILES
There’s no technical difficulty as you wind your way north up and along Heron Pike before standing tall on Great Rigg’s 766-metre summit, which on a clear day has expansive views of the surrounding peaks.
3 3 MILES
From Great Rigg, loop back (south-west) down to the rocky tor known as Stone Arthur. Continue downhill, south then east, eventually arriving at a small road.
4 4.9 MILES
Turn left on the Coffin Route (so called because it was used to convey coffins on their final journey to St Oswald’s Church in Grasmere), soon turning left again on a path that leads down through tall trees and close to the shores of both Grasmere and Rydal Water.
5 7.5 MILES
When you reach your starting point, make sure you’ve got your swimming kit in your backpack and then begin a second, smaller walk into the Rydal River valley in search of Buckstones Jump. This optional add-on is shorter and far gentler on the legs than the Great Rigg ascent and can be done as a separate two-mile walk if the stiffer mountain loop doesn’t appeal.
Follow a track east through the grounds of Rydal Hall, a listed country house (where you’ll find a café and a picturesque grotto if you fancy a pitstop), then veer north on a woodland track before emerging back into open landscape, the mountains now above you as you walk through a glacial hanging valley. Follow the trail up into the valley then head off-piste a few metres to seek out the deep pool of Buckstones Jump.
6 8.5 MILES
Local lore has it that William Wordsworth loved this hidden spot, called Buckstones Jum on some maps, and it’s certainly close to his usual haunts. The walk back down retraces your steps and ends up at Rydal Mount, a country house once home to the poet, where there’s a flower-filled garden tearoom ideal for warming up with coffee and cake.
USEFUL INFO
Starting point
Start your hike next to Rydal Hall, which also has a campsite. rydalhall.org There’s limited parking on the road.
Terrain
The full route is challenging, steep at the beginning but not technically difficult. The second, shorter add-on is an easy walk.
Map
OS Explorer OL07
Eat/drink
End your walk at Rydal Mount, a charming house with a garden tearoom. rydalmount.co.uk
