A Wander on Wansfell and Baystones (but not necessarily in that order) – 4.5 miles

A short circular walk taking in the two tops of Wansfell, Ambleside’s very own Wainwright. We were en route to Grasmere for the weekend so Troutbeck made a convenient starting point after the drive over Kirkstone Pass. The trusty Met Office forecast suggested a decent afternoon with rain sweeping in so there was just enough time for the walk followed by beer and a nice cuppa tea in Baldry’s.

Distance = 4.5 miles (7.24 km)
Duration = 2 hrs 54 mins, (start 11.34am, finish 2.30pm)
Total Ascent = Only 1,185ft (361m), max height Baystones 1,597ft
Start/Finish = Troutbeck – there’s very limited parking along the roadside
Date = Friday 25th April 2014, cloudy, breezy, improving then not
Click on my Route Map below to zoom in/out

Wansfell and Baystones route from Troutbeck

Wansfell Pike and Baystones route from Troutbeck

Starting Point

Troutbeck, a pleasant small hamlet just south of the Mortal Man Inn. There’s very few parking places around so we ended up a little further south outside an empty holiday cottage. There were more holiday cottages being renovated here which means the place might be empty come winter.

Route Summary – in 3 stages (plus 20 mins on each top)

Troutbeck to Baystones; (1 hour 5 mins)
Baystones to Wansfell Pike; (25 mins)
Wansfell Pike back to Troutbeck; (35 mins quickly)
Bonus stage, a pint in the Mortal Man (time optional)

Route Detail & Pics from Friday 25th April 2014

Stage 1 – Troutbeck to Baystones; (1 hour 5 mins) – After eventually finding a parking slot we laced up the boots and walked back up the road to Troutbeck, turning off west between buildings at a small footpath sign. This is the Nanny Lane path and oddly enough we soon passed some elderly ladies, weird. You do get the feeling this is a very old track as it zig zags gently upwards flanked by walls either side. The landscape quickly opens up with good views back.

Turning west off the road through Troutbeck to join the Nanny Lane path – 11.45

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_1

Alan looking for attractive nannies (or sheep), Nanny Lane heading uphill right – 12.05

After 20 mins the gate above is the turn off for Wansfell Pike, however we were carrying straight on to make an anti clockwise circuit. Another 20 mins later and we reached the point below where we vaguely angled off up to the highest ground and Baystones cairn.

Angling up to Baystones – 12.30pm

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_3

Soon on Baystones looking west to Windermere and Wansfell Pike – 12.45

It had taken a very leisurely 60 mins to reach Baystones and the errant traveller is rewarded with a grand sight that pleases the soul. Oh sorry, slipped into Wainwright mode there, anyway there’s pleasant views despite the relative low height (1,597ft). It was quiet too with the nearest figures over on Wansfell looking like giant ants. Although the whole fell is known as Wansfell, Baystones is slightly higher than Wansfell Pike but the latter has the better views. After a relaxing stop for food and photos it was time to join the giant ants.

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_4

Baystones to Red Screes and Pets Quarry

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_5

A glimpse of Grasmere (I think) with Langdales above

Final view, north to Red Screes, Kirkstone Pass, Baystones, Stony Cove Pike etc

Stage 2 – Baystones to Wansfell Pike; (only 25 mins) – From Baystones it only looks a quick 5 minute walk across to Wansfell Pike yet somehow it took 25! Had to double checked my photo timings to confirm this. The route’s straightforward enough keeping to the high ground with a few dips then following a wall to join the tourists above Ambleside.

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_6

Leaving Baystones for Wansfell Pike – 1.05pm

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_10

Nearing Wansfell Pike from Baystones – 1.25pm

Wansfell Pike is understandably busy, there are two cairns either side of the wall both providing slightly differing views. The best is the western one looking across to the heart of Lakeland and down to Ambleside with people huffing & puffing their way up the well worn path. Better views than Baystones but lacking the solitude, however hills like this play an important part in encouraging people to venture up onto the hills. Good to see people enjoying themselves – but wish they’d bugger off so I can enjoy it on my own. Oh come on we’ve all thought it 🙂

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_11

Ambleside from Wansfell Pike – 1.30pm

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_12

Nice angle on Red Screes from Wansfell Pike

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_13

Boot problems on Wansfell, hey this aint easy! (PS we are just good friends)

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_15

The view back to Baystones from Wansfell Pike eastern cairn, weather deteriorating

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_14

Wansfell Pike classic view over Windermere from the eastern cairn – 1.50pm

Stage 3 – Wansfell Pike back to Troutbeck; (35 mins quick walk) – Remember at the start I mentioned the weather forecast? Well we suddenly remembered it too as there’d been a definite deterioration whilst we were sat up on top enjoying the expansive views. Of course Alan had been claiming the weather had been deteriorating earlier, probably since childhood. Thoughts of beer, a cuppa tea in Grasmere and then check in at the hotel. But first we had to get back to the car and hopefully beat the rain. We soon rejoined the Nanny Lane path and dropped down quickly into Troutbeck, it’s a good easy descent.

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_16

Descending back to Troutbeck, Alan sniffed rain so was off – 1.55pm

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_17

Arriving back in Troutbeck still dry 30 mins later – 2.25pm

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_19

House for sale!!

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_18

Car not for sale, Alan possibly! – 2.30pm

PS An alternative Wansfell route is a circuit from Ambleside up and across to Troutbeck then back round to Ambleside here.

Stage 4 – Bonus Stage, pint at the Mortal Man; – As we unlaced our boots we felt the first drops of rain, now how was that for timing! We had sensibly decided to walk straight back to the car, get changed then drive back through Troutbeck to the nearby Mortal Man Inn.

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_20

Free Beer! Or maybe not 🙂

A Short Wander on Wansfell and Baystones but not necessarily in that order_21

The Mortal Man

Raining properly now so we resisted the charms of the beer garden to enjoy a pint of Loweswater Gold in the bar. They had wireless too so I could be social and Tweet pics 🙂

Grasmere The annual birthday weekend had begun. We drove through Ambleside remembering to look back up at Wansfell as we passed; I also remembered to look out for pedestrians. Arriving in Grasmere we parked at the hotel then had a nice cuppa leaf tea & creamy jam scone at Baldrys, as you do. We are real mountain men you know!!