Ambleside Low Level Loop
Rydal Water, Grasmere, woodland paths, and those views - all without setting foot on a major fell. This is what the Lakes are for on an easy-legs day.
Effort: Good distance, solid climb
Underfoot: Some uneven or off-path ground
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Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
A 19.6km low-level circuit from Ambleside threading through Rydal Water, Under Loughrigg, and the south shore of Grasmere - the classic Lake District landscape without the big climb.
Rydal Water, Grasmere, woodland paths, and those views - all without setting foot on a major fell. This is what the Lakes are for on an easy-legs day.
The route
From the car parks at Ambleside, the route heads southwest through Rothay Park, picking up the footpath alongside the River Rothay before swinging up to the shore of Rydal Water. The path hugs the northern shore of the lake - one of the quieter stretches of water in the Lakes - before the ground opens out near Rydal village.
From Rydal, the route follows the Under Loughrigg road: a narrow lane tucked between the lower slopes of Loughrigg Fell and the edge of the water. It's one of the most pleasant kilometres of running in the central Lakes. Continue along the south shore of Grasmere lake and into Grasmere village for a natural midpoint.
The return from Grasmere follows the valley floor back east, crossing the Rothay and rejoining the outward path near Rydal before the final run into Ambleside. The full circuit covers 19.6km with 562m of ascent - enough to feel like a proper run without demanding fell fitness.
Why it works
This is a route built for days when the weather is uncertain or you want genuine Lake District atmosphere without committing to a big fell day. The paths are excellent throughout - a mix of lakeshore tracks, bridleways, and the occasional stretch of quiet road. Navigation is minimal; the ground does the thinking for you.
Grasmere makes an obvious refreshment stop at the halfway point, with several cafes and the famous Grasmere gingerbread shop a few metres from the route. The village fills quickly on summer weekends so the earlier you arrive, the better.
At 19.6km this sits comfortably at the longer end of an easy-to-moderate run. The underfoot conditions are usually good year-round, though the Rothay path can pick up some mud after heavy rain. Nothing that warrants trail shoes with serious lugs, but road shoes would struggle on the softer sections.
Ambleside as a base
Ambleside is well-supplied for pre- and post-run logistics. Buses connect to Windermere, Coniston, and Keswick, and there are enough cafes and kit shops to keep you occupied if the weather turns. The car parks fill early on summer weekends - aim for before 9am if you want a guaranteed spot.
River paths can be muddy and briefly flooded after heavy rain near Rothay Park. Grasmere and Rydal attract large visitor numbers in summer - expect foot traffic on the path around Rydal Water.
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
Run by us· last checked July 2026
Jason Millward has run this route and written it up from the ground. How we check routes
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