Fairfield Horseshoe + Stone Arthur

• Nab Scar450 m · NY355072
• Heron Pike612 m · NY355083
• Stone Arthur504 m · NY347092
• Great Rigg766 m · NY355104
• Fairfield873 m · NY358117
• Hart Crag823 m · NY368112
• Dove Crag792 m · NY374104
• High Pike (Scandale)656 m · NY374088
• Low Pike508 m · NY373078

Route

Rydal Hall lane up Nab Scar, along the ridge over Heron Pike to Great Rigg. Out-and-back down the spur to Stone Arthur, back to Great Rigg, on to Fairfield, Hart Crag and Dove Crag, then down the long wall over High Pike and Low Pike to Ambleside/Rydal.

Dog hazards

Steep stone-pitched start up Nab Scar. Low Pike can be taken head-on by a short scramble - use the easier path round the side. Below Low Pike on the descent there's a 'bad step' beside the wall on Low Brock Crags - keep away from the wall where an easy grass ramp avoids it. Fairfield's north side is cliffs in mist. Ladder stile between High and Low Pike has a dog tunnel.

Scrambles

Two short avoidable scrambly bits (Low Pike head-on, the bad step below it) - take the bypass paths.

Water

Almost none on the ridge - carry 2+ litres for the dogs. Rydal Beck at the start/end only.

Livestock

Sheep on the whole ridge; cattle possible in Rydal/Low Sweden Bridge fields.