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Trail Running Planet · Lake District · Scandale

Scandale Horseshoe from Ambleside

Scandale is the quiet valley next door to the crowded Fairfield Horseshoe, so you get the same big eastern-fell views and ridgelines with a fraction of the traffic.

Distance

20.6 km

Ascent

1,106 m

Descent

1,104 m

Max elevation

742 m

Route type

Loop

Est. time

3h 10m – 4h 20m

Grade

Very Hard

Navigation

map_skills

Parking

LA22 9AN

Dogs

Welcome

Best seasons

spring, summer, autumn

About this route

A 20.6km horseshoe from Ambleside up the quiet Scandale valley onto the eastern fells and back, reaching around 740m on the high ground. A runnable fell round on the doorstep of a great base town.

Hazards & notes

The high ridges and Scandale Pass are exposed and confuse in cloud, so carry a map and compass. Steep, rough ground on the tops with loose sections, and boggy stretches after rain.

Emergency

Call 999 or 112 → ask for Police → request Mountain Rescue. Register Emergency SMS: text "register" to 999.

Full route, GPX download & live conditions:

https://trailrunningplanet.com/routes/england/lake-district/scandale/scandale-horseshoe-from-ambleside

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