Grasmere walk - short circular route with the best views on Loughrigg Terrace, and a longer route via Rydal Water

Grasmere lake walk circular map route lake District best wordsworth

The best view of Grasmere lake is up on Loughrigg Terrace, which not many people visit (choosing to stay by the lake shore) But it's not much effort to walk up to this viewpoint and this circular walk of about 2 hours is quite an easy walk to do!

Grasmere Circular Walk overview:

Grasmere Walk Distance: 3.6 miles

Grasmere Walk Time: 2 hours

Grasmere Walk Difficulty: Easy

Map route of this short Grasmere Circular Walk:

This short, circular (clockwise) walk of 3.6 miles around Grasmere starts off from White Moss Car Park (in between Rydal Water and Grasmere). It can of course be started anywhere on the route including from Grasmere Village itself. On this route from the Car Park at White Moss we head up hill to Loughrigg Terrace for some of the best views of Grasmere - then it's down to the Lake shore and on into Grasmere village itself for a bite to eat / drink in one of the many pubs or cafes. After here we return to the Car Park via a route past Dove Cottage (where Wordsworth lived) and into White Moss Common. It's a relatively easy walk and can be done in 2 hours including a half hour stop off in Grasmere. You can view the full interactive map on the link below (and even save to your phone if you have the OS Maps App)

If you don't have a Phone Map App - I really recommend the one by Ordnance Survey. You can download route maps to your phone such as this one and the app will show you exactly where you are on the route even when you have no signal - so no more taking a wrong turn :-)

The elevation of this short Grasmere walk - it's not that hard going :-)

This is a superb, must-do walk around Grasmere - read on to discover what to expect on this walk.

Photos of this Grasmere circular walk:

The path leading along Loughrigg Terrace - where you will see some of the best views of Grasmere. There's not much uphill required and no need to go higher right to the top of Loughrigg Fell as the views on Loughrigg Terrace are better in my opinion :-)

Looking back along Loughrigg Terrace - it's not that much of an uphill walk to get here really for the fine views of Grasmere - and there's even a seat to admire view and soak it all up, which I recommend doing.

The best view of Grasmere lake is from Loughrigg Terrace in my humble opinion and it's quite an easy walk to get up to this viewpoint. Even if you don't do the full walk - make sure you visit Loughrigg Terrace

This walk does include a little bit of walking on quieter roads as you come into Grasmere Village and you will pass lots of quaint cottages - it's all classic Lake District stuff!

Just after half way through this particular walk you will come to Grasmere Village and it's the perfect place to stop off for a bite to eat or drink in one of the many pubs and cafes and just have a wander around this lovely Lake District village.

Upon leaving Grasmere village the route heads up past Dove Cottage where Wordsworth once lived. If you have the time you can explore the Wordsworth connection to this place even further in the museum here. From here it's maybe 45 mins back to the car park at White Moss.

A longer Grasmere walk that includes Rydal Water & Rydal Caves via 'The old Coffin Route'

If you have the time then a walk around Grasmere and Rydal water is an excellent walk to do. Rydale Wayter is even quieter than Grasmeer with no buildings at all around it and you can explore Rydale Caves - which are pretty spectacular and great for kids young (and old!)

Grasmere & Rydal Water Walk Ovreview:

Walk Distance: 6.7 Miles
Walk Time: 3 hours (with stops)
Walk Difficulty: Moderate

Grasmere & Rydal Water Walk Map, via The Old Coffin Route:

Similar to the above walk - this route starts and finishes at White Moss Car Park and goes in a clockwise direction heading for Loughrigg Terrace with fine views of Grasmere and then onto Grasmere Village. From there we return along the famed "old Coffin Route" to Rydal via Dove Cottage. Once at Rydal village we head along the shores of Rydal Water via Rydal Caves on it's southern shore. It's a classic Lake District Walk. You can modify it how you like from wherever you start - but be sure to visit Loughrigg Terrace for the Grasmere views, walk along the 'old coffin route' and visit Rydale Caves!

Photos from this Grasmere & Rydal Water walk:

This walk takes you on Loughrigg Terrace where you will get the best views of Grasmere in my humble opinion and it's quite an easy walk to get up to this viewpoint. Even if you don't do the full walk - make sure you visit Loughrigg Terrace

The cave at Rydal Water - it's worth extending your your walk if you have time to see this man-made cathedral like structure from the old quarry.

As ever I hope you have enjoyed this little write up and photos and it inspires you to want to visit the area and give the route a go. If you have any questions about this route - just post a comment and I'll try and answer.

Happy Hiking!

Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'

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