We’re sharing our experience of this circular walk in the Lake District to encourage other families to explore the area safely with (or without) children. We really struggled to find much information on this circular route from Rydal, particularly regarding its suitability for young people, so we’re here to help fill in the gaps!
Initially, I was searching the internet looking for easy walks around Rydal water, and I came across this great article on another blog: shewalksinengland.com . This article gave us a great insight in to the route and a link to a map (more on that later). Although very informative, it made no mention of suitability for kids, and by their own admission they were experienced hikers who had done this walk in the winter months, so it was never going to be true likeness to what we would experience visiting in August.
The Route
We started our route from the public car park at the entrance to Rydal Hall, however there are a few other small car parks in the area. I do recommend starting and ending your circular walk here as there are toilets, refreshments and places to sit and unwind at the end of your adventure. If there is something I have learned about doing these things with kids, its knowing the importance of having something or somewhere to aim for!
From here, you are essentially going to make your way anti-clockwise around Rydal water, passing several beauty spots along the way, including views across the valley, a small waterfall, caves, slate sculptures and more. What is surprising is that this route is not signposted at all! We tracked our route on AllTrails which uses GPS monitoring so that you can keep checking that you are headed in the right direction. They often offer a free trial period to new users, and this proved invaluable to us as complete novices in this area! To view our route below, as tracked on AllTrails, click here.
As you will see from the statistics above, we took our time and had regular breaks for snacks, drinks and photos. Although we were nicely tuckered out after our adventure, we weren’t crawling to the car flat-out exhausted!
Know Your Kid’s Abilities (and yours for that matter)!
At the time, Teddy was six-and-a-half years old. Why is this important? The full circular walk would not be possible with a pushchair, is not really safe for carrying children and even our capable 6 year old needed help in some places due to the rocky, slippery and hilly terrain at times. That being said, he felt like an absolute hero by the end of it, and he can’t wait to do more of these ‘adventurous’ hikes in the future!
Planning is Imperative – Don’t get caught short!
Sun screen, snacks and water are your best friends. Do not leave without them. There are no toilets, shops or cafes on this route. During peak season there is a refreshment van that pops up approximately half way round, near White Moss car park, however there are currently no toilets open, so pace yourself! There are going to be toilets near this location very soon, however they are currently undergoing refurbishment, so don’t rely on them being there. Regardless, take tissues incase of wild-wee or other… emergencies! Hydration is vital too, and stopping for regular breaks helps everyone stay at their best.
Good To Know – How to have a successful hike
Get there early. By 09:00, the first car park we had our eye on was full. By 09:20, we had taken the last space in our second car park of choice (locations below). Parking here is limited. Be there before 09:00, and not only will you be in the best position to start your adventure, but you’ll be finished in time for lunch!
Pelter Bridge Car Park (smallest): Ambleside, LA22 9LW
Rydal Hall Car Park (limited day parking available): Rydal, Ambleside, LA22 9LX
As it is a circular route, if you really cannot find any parking at all in Rydal, you could park at White Moss car park, however there is no cafe here, so enticing kids around the route with this as the end point may require more imagination!
Wear suitable footwear. Something sturdy, with good grip, and comfortable. You’ll encounter all sorts of terrain and it may be slippery, wet or muddy. We visited on a dry day in August and were OK in standard trainers and hiking shoes, but you may want to consider something waterproof if visiting on a ‘normal’ weather day! Also, if you plan on entering Rydal Cave when you get there, waterproof shoes are going to be your friend as not all stepping stones are dry and flat. Teddy was not wearing water resistant shoes and did get a soggy sock by the end of it, but he survived!
Take an extra layer. Although hiking is hot work, it can get a bit chilly in the woods. A lightweight waterproof layer with long sleeves is just what you need. Tie it around your waist when you don’t need it, and it’s there just in case you do. Hands-free all the way, and you won’t get caught short. You’ll thank me later!
Have plenty of battery in your smart phone. Ever since I was a Girl Guide, I have been a ‘be prepared’ kind of person, and in an environment like this, you would do well to have a well-charged smart phone with you. There are 2 reasons for this:
1) if you get lost, you can find your way using GPS,
2) if someone gets injured or you come across someone else who needs help, you can call the emergency services and use an app like What3Words to give them your location.
It may sound dramatic, but if you don’t take it, you may end up wishing you did! The same won’t often be said for leaving it behind.
Pack your camera. The views across the valley are stunning and seem to reveal something special around every corner. Trust me – you’ll want to take your camera with you.
Don’t rush. No, seriously! Happiness is the journey, not the destination, so take time to really take in your surroundings. You’ll pass blackberry bushes, waterfalls and babbling brooks, walk through fields where livestock roam free, hear birdsong all around you… the place is alive and peaceful all at the same time. Get your kids to really pay attention, and celebrate their achievements when you reach high vantage points. These are the things they will remember!
Gallery
Useful Links
AllTrails: alltrails.com
Rydal Hall: rydalhall.org
She Walks In England: shewalksinengland.com
Visit Lake District: visitlakedistrict.com
In Summary
If your family have the spirit of adventure and are visiting the Lake District, I highly recommend you make time for this picture-perfect hike. It has everything you could possibly want from the Cumbrian countryside and helps work up an appetite for some hearty British fare available from many a country pub in the area!
If you enjoyed this article, check out our other UK posts here!
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