Wansfell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wansfell |
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Wansfell above Troutbeck village
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 486.9 m (1,597 ft) |
| Prominence | 147.7 m |
| Parent peak | Caudale Moor |
| Listing | Wainwright |
| Geography | |
 Wansfell
Location in Lake District
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| Location | Cumbria, England |
| Parent range | Lake District, Far Eastern Fells |
| OS grid | NY403051 |
| Topo map | OS Landranger 90, OS Explorer 7 |
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Wansfell is a beautiful hill, or "fell," located in the amazing Lake District in England. It sits about 2.5 kilometers (1½ miles) east of the town of Ambleside. This fell is part of a long ridge that stretches south from Caudale Moor. It covers the area between Ambleside and the lovely Troutbeck valley.
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Exploring Wansfell's Peaks
Wansfell has a wide top with two main high points. The very highest spot is called Baystones, which is 488 meters (1,601 feet) tall. The other peak is Wansfell Pike, located about one kilometer to the southwest. It is slightly lower at 482 meters (1,581 feet).
Many hikers think Wansfell Pike is the "real" top. This is because it offers much better views, even though it's not quite as high as Baystones.
Why Wansfell Stands Out
Even though Wansfell isn't super tall, it stands out a lot from the land around it. This is called its "topographic prominence." It's connected to the taller Caudale Moor by a lower section of land, like a saddle, near the Kirkstone Pass road. This low point is about 339.2 meters high.
This difference in height means Wansfell has a prominence of 147.7 meters. This is an important number for hill climbers. It means Wansfell is almost tall enough to be called a "Marilyn." A Marilyn is a hill in the British Isles that has a prominence of at least 150 meters.
Wansfell and Ambleside
Wansfell is very important to the town of Ambleside. People often say it feels like it belongs to the town. A famous writer, Bill Birkett, once said, "Wansfell is to Ambleside what St. Pauls is to London." This shows how much it means to the local area.
Because so many people love to climb Wansfell from Ambleside, the path started to wear away. In the late 1990s, workers fixed the path using stone blocks. Now, parts of the path look like a very uneven stone staircase.
What's in a Name?
The name "Wansfell" likely comes from an old language called Old Norse. It is thought to be named after the main Norse god, Odin. So, "Wansfell" probably means "Woden's Fell."
The Wansfell Race
Wansfell is home to a popular running event called a "fell race." This race happens every year between Christmas and New Year's Day. Runners usually finish the four-kilometer (about 2.5 miles) course in around 20 minutes. It's a challenging and exciting race!
How to Climb Wansfell
There are a few ways to climb Wansfell. The most common way starts from Ambleside. You follow a road past the beautiful Stockghyll Force waterfall. Then, you turn right onto the restored stone path, which leads you all the way to the top.
You can also start your climb from Troutbeck, which is on the eastern side of the fell. From there, you follow a farm track called Nanny Lane. Once you reach the open hillside, it's an easy walk to the summit. Another path goes through Skelghyll Wood, climbing past Kelsick Scar. On this route, you can even see an old aqueduct observatory!
Wansfell is also part of the Windermere Way. This is a long walking path that goes all the way around Windermere, England's largest natural lake.
The Two Summits
The two main peaks of Wansfell are connected by a dry stone wall. Wansfell Pike is the lower of the two. However, it has a more interesting rocky top and offers a better view. From Wansfell Pike, Windermere looks especially beautiful to the south. The highest point, Baystones, is a grassy mound marked by just a few stones.
