The Classic Lakeland Horseshoe

The Fairfield Horseshoe is widely regarded as one of the finest mountain walks in the Lake District. This demanding circular route from Ambleside takes in some of the most spectacular fell country in England, offering constantly changing views and a true taste of Lakeland’s wild beauty.

This collection documents a memorable traverse completed over two days in September 2011, capturing both the physical challenge and the sublime beauty of this classic route. The walk encompasses multiple summits including Nab Scar, Heron Pike, Great Rigg, Fairfield, Hart Crag, and Dove Crag before returning via the dramatic ridge of High Pike.

The Route and Landscape

Beginning in the tourist bustle of Ambleside, the path quickly leads into another world entirely. Within an hour, the noise of the town is replaced by the call of curlews and the whisper of wind through mountain grass. The route follows ancient paths that have been worn smooth by generations of fell walkers, shepherds, and the countless feet of those drawn to these heights.

The horseshoe shape of the walk provides constantly changing perspectives on the surrounding fells and valleys. From Windermere stretching away to the south, to the dramatic profiles of the Langdale Pikes and the distant peaks of Scafell, each turn reveals new vistas that make the challenging terrain worthwhile.

Weather and Light

September in the Lake District can provide perfect walking conditions, and this traverse was blessed with clear skies and that particular quality of light that makes the fells seem to glow from within. The photographs capture the progression from early morning mist in the valleys to the golden light of late evening on the high ridges.

The clarity of the air at altitude reveals the intricate patterns of dry stone walls etched across the landscape below, while the constantly changing cloud formations create an ever-shifting play of light and shadow across the fells.

A Timeless Journey

What strikes you most on walks like this is the sense of continuity with the past. These paths have been walked for centuries, the stone walls were built by hands long stilled, and the landscape itself has been shaped by ice, water, and wind over millennia.

Yet each time you walk these hills, the experience is entirely fresh and new. The light is different, the weather has its own character, and your own perspective has evolved. This collection attempts to capture not just the visual beauty of the Fairfield Horseshoe, but something of the timeless appeal that draws people back to these heights again and again.

Technical Notes

These images were captured using a digital SLR over the course of a two-day walk, with most shots taken handheld to avoid the extra weight of a tripod on this demanding route. The focus was on documenting the journey and the changing character of the landscape throughout the day, from the intimate details of stone walls and paths to the grand panoramas that make the Lake District world-famous.