A walk to Low Sweden Bridge, High Sweden Bridge and Stock Ghyll Force

This glorious walk leads on to the lower fell slopes just above Ambleside, takes in two delightful ancient bridges, and the magnificent Stock Ghyll Force. Once the small market town of Ambleside rang to the sound of clogged feet as workers trudged to the mills - these drew their power from the becks that tumbled between the houses. Today the becks still flow noisily on their way to Windermere but the other noise is that of happy visitors, many of whom are walkers.

1. Leave by the vehicle entrance to the car park and turn right to cross the road, with care, at the roundabout. Climb a very short way up steep Kirkstone Road (The Struggle) and turn into the first left. At the Y-junction walk Nook Lane, signposted ‘To Low Sweden Bridge’ and continue on passing many fine houses with magnificent views over the village to the fells beyond. Carry on to the end of tarmac, and then descend the on-going track to cross - with cameras handy - the fine bridge over the Scandale Beck.
2. Follow the main track as it zig-zags uphill. Pause often to enjoy the superb views, left, up through the Lakes with a first glimpse of Rydal Water. The distinct way passes through wall gaps and keeps on until you go over a wall by a ladderstile. Just beyond, are the remains of a sheepfold. Here descend, right, to climb another ladderstile over a lower wall. Then descend more, wind round a hillock on your left and the delectable High Sweden Bridge lies below. It is reached by the path dropping down by a fence and then through a gate.
3. This is a true packhorse bridge, with no parapets to hinder the panniers on laden horses. You will want to use your camera here and perhaps take a break on the smooth rocks on the other side of the bridge, that stretch back from the shallow pool downstream of the bridge.
4. Then continue on the narrow path along the waterside to bear right on to an old packhorse route. This gated way passes through fine deciduous woodland, with the Scandale Beck deep in its steep-sided gill, the haunt of dippers. Look for two old quarries on the left. Notice the sturdy openings at the base of the wall through which tumble streams, hurrying to join the beck below. Once out of the trees look for a gate into pastures on the left, made up of parallel poles. The gradually descending track ends at a gate on the edge of Ambleside.
5. Beyond walk on a few steps to take the signed left turn along a wide track between houses. Cross a narrow road and go on to the end of track. Pass through a small iron gate at the top of three steps, on your left, and then follow the path climbing gently beside larch woodland on you right. At the top of the slope wind a little left and take a gated step-stile through the wall on your right. Continue on a good path across the large pasture to a gate onto a wide track, with woodland to your left and a glimpse of Windermere to your right. Stroll this pleasing track all the way to reach The Struggle at a narrow corner of the road.
6. Go left, with care, for 180m/200yds, to take an access track on the right side of the road, beyond Sunny Bank cottages, to Roundhill farm. Pass through a kissing gate on right. Descend the zig-zagging track to side of Stockghyll beck and walk left to cross the tractor bridge over the stream. Climb the path up the slope to join a traffic-free tarmacked lane and walk right, first pausing to look left to see Red Screes and the white-painted Kirkstone Inn.
7. Just beyond the cattle grid, pass through the Victorian turnstile, on the right, into Stock Ghyll Park. Follow the red waymarks, right and then left, before stepping up to the railed edge of an immense ravine to see the spectacular waterfalls, particularly tumultuous after rain or snow. After your pause here, turn right and go on down through the lovely wooded slopes, with the beck to your right, to join the road. Stroll downhill and then bear right to dawdle through Ambleside and then on to car the park.

Practicals

• Start/Finish: Main pay-and-display car park at the northern end of Ambleside grid ref 376047
• Map: OS Explorer OL 7. English Lakes south-eastern
• Distance: 7.5km/4 3/4 miles
• Time: 2-3 hours
• Height gain: 320m/989ft
• Terrain: Distinct paths and tracks; packhorse track quite rough after the winter weather. Some road walking
• Refreshments: Spoilt for choice in Ambleside

For more photos, see "A walk to Low Sweden Bridge, High Sweden Bridge and Stockghyll Force" on Flickr.

If you enjoyed this blog post, find more walks by Mary Welsh either by clicking through to take a look at A list of walks in the Lake District or use the search bar in the top left hand of your screen.

Please read Mary Welsh's Golden Rules for good, safe walking before setting out.