High Sweden Bridge, Lake District, Spring
It was nice to get a bit of altitude.
I think the last time we hiked the High Sweden Bridge circular was back in June of 2020, just as the UK was starting to come out of the first COVID-19 Lockdown. Wow. Time flies, eh?
With this weekend due to continue its favourable weather conditions, we followed Saturday’s hike around Brough Castle with a longer, more strenuous hike up to High Sweden Bridge in Scandale, above Ambleside. I tell you something: it was so good to finally see the Lakeland fells clearly.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my Fujinon 23mm f/2.0 and my adapted Pentax SMC 55mm f/2.0 prime lenses. Images developed in RNI Films’ Velvia 100F film profile.
On this occasion we elected to park at one of the free lay-bys before you get into Ambleside proper. This would give us a few extra 1,000 steps or so.
Wansfell Pike (486.9 m/1,597 ft) above Ambleside, clear as a bell in the beautiful light.
We soon found the steep lane that climbs up into Scandale, and the views quickly improved from “This is pretty” to “Bloody hell!”
On the way up, a cute little Robin (Erithacus rubecula) made its presence known to us atop a drystone wall. Didn’t fly or away or anything. Happy to chill and let us take photos.
Soon, High Pike came into our sight, lit up like a beacon in the spring Lake District sun.
Higher and higher the trail went. Astonishingly clear views towards Rydal Water, Loughrigg, Silver How, and the Langdale Fells were enjoyed.
My lovely Lisabet, perched on the ancient packhorse bridge known as High Sweden Bridge.
After crossing High Sweden Bridge, it was time to ascend up the Scandale fell side in order to find the ridge that let back down into Ambleside.
The full extent of Scandale opened up before us. On the eastern side of the valley, a minor footpath continues up the valley to link with Scandale Pass, which takes you onto Kirkstone Pass should you so wish.
When crossing the stile, I paused at the summit of the climb to snap this obvious composition of the drystone wall leading all the way to High Pike.
The Coniston fells come back into view after finding the open ridge back down into Ambleside.
The wonderfully craggy profile of the Langdale Pikes, Bowfell, and Crinkle Crags.
A minor sheep track branches off the main trail, heading towards Nab Scar. The skyline of the fells is impossible to resist a photo.
One last peek at the Langdale Pikes before we drop down the fellside into Ambleside.
The long ridge of Wetherlam sinks beneath the bulk of Loughrigg as we descend.
What a fantastic and bizarre looking tree.
Near Low Sweden Bridge, a flock of young Kendal Rough Fells peacefully graze on the new grass.
What a crackin’ day.