Elterwater and Ivy Crag

The route

Start at Elterwater and work round onto the Loughrigg fells, following fell path and woodland track for 22.6km with around 1,060m of climbing. The loop takes in Ivy Crag on the Loughrigg shoulder, the terrace paths above Rydal, and the low ground back through the Langdale valley. It is a longer outing that stays mostly runnable, linking repeated fell climbs with a string of viewpoints and lower valley sections.

Ivy Crag

Ivy Crag is a modest rocky top on the sprawling Loughrigg fell, and its value is out of all proportion to its height. From up here the Langdale Pikes stack up ahead, Elter Water and Windermere shine below, and the whole valley opens out. Loughrigg is a maze of little paths and knolls, so the running is playful rather than relentless, with plenty of short climbs and quick descents to keep it interesting.

Why it works

This is a route for a good all-round day: enough distance to feel it, substantial cumulative climbing without committing to the highest fells. The ground is a genuine mix of woodland, terrace path, open fell and valley track, some of it rocky and some of it wet, so it is varied rather than fast. Navigation on Loughrigg needs a little care, as the tangle of paths can confuse in mist, so keep the map handy on the tops. Lower down, the paths are obvious and well used. Elterwater and Skelwith at the start and finish give you pubs and cafes, and the loop links easily into longer Langdale days if you want more. Save the exposed sections for clear weather to make the most of what Ivy Crag offers. On a clear evening the light off Windermere from the top is reason enough to save this one for a good forecast.