Wansfell Pike via Stockghyll Force
Cumbria
Wansfell Pike, 482m, is the modest fell that rises straight out of Ambleside and rewards a short steep climb with the best view of Windermere in the Lakes. This classic loop leaves the town through the Victorian woodland of Stock Ghyll, passing the seventy foot waterfall of Stockghyll Force, before a pitched stone path pulls steeply up to the summit. Descend via Nanny Lane through the pretty hamlet of Troutbeck and back along a quiet old road. It is a dog friendly walk for reasonably fit hill dogs, short enough to be done in half a day.
Park at Rydal Road or Ambleside's main pay and display car park in the town centre. Dogs must be on a short lead on the fell and through the working farms on Nanny Lane, where sheep and cattle graze and ground-nesting birds breed on the summit. The terrain is stone path through woodland, steep pitched stone up the fell, easy grass on top and quiet tarmac lane on the descent. Ambleside is a gloriously dog friendly town with countless cafes and pubs welcoming dogs, plus public toilets and water bowls at the Salutation and Wateredge.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.0 km (5.6 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4 hr
- Walk Type
- Peak, Waterfall, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Low
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- Public toilets and countless dog friendly cafes and pubs in Ambleside; Troutbeck has The Mortal Man and Queen's Head.
- Parking
- Rydal Road or central Ambleside pay and display car parks; busy in summer but plentiful options.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wansfell Pike via Stockghyll Force dog friendly?
Wansfell Pike via Stockghyll Force scores 8.5 out of 10 for dog friendliness, making it one of the better walks in the Lakes for dogs. The route is well suited to reasonably fit hill dogs, and Ambleside itself is a wonderfully welcoming town with countless dog friendly cafes and pubs, plus water bowls at the Salutation and Wateredge.
Can dogs be off lead at Wansfell Pike via Stockghyll Force?
Dogs need to be on a short lead on the open fell and through the working farms along Nanny Lane, where sheep and cattle graze and ground-nesting birds breed near the summit. There is no specific mention of off-lead sections on this route, so it's best to keep leads handy throughout and use your judgement on the quieter stretches of the woodland path.
What should I know before visiting Wansfell Pike via Stockghyll Force with my dog?
The climb to the 482m summit is short but steep, so your dog will need to be reasonably fit — the terrain moves from woodland stone path to pitched stone on the ascent, open grass at the top, and quiet tarmac on the descent through Troutbeck. Livestock are present on the route, so a lead is essential near the farms and on the fell. Park at Rydal Road or the central Ambleside pay and display car parks, and note these can get busy in summer.
Visitor Reviews
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What’s Nearby?
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Open fell, a tarn for swimming and good off-lead potential across the upper sections make this a strong choice; loses a point for boggy ground and enclosed farmland on the lower approaches.
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Gentle, accessible circuit with good water access and relaxed off-lead potential; leads needed near the car park and in busier sections.
