Wansfell

Wansfell is a fell in the English Lake District, lying 2.4 kilometres east of Ambleside. It forms part of the southern ridge of Caudale Moor and sits between Ambleside and the Troutbeck valley. The fell has two summits: Baystones at 488 metres and Wansfell Pike at 482 metres. Wansfell Pike is often considered the true summit by walkers because of its better views. The fell is linked to Caudale Moor by a col near Kirkstone Pass road. Its prominence is 147.7 metres, just below the threshold for a Marilyn.

The fell’s name comes from Old Norse and means ‘Woden’s Fell’. It is closely tied to Ambleside, with Bill Birkett comparing it to St Paul’s Cathedral in London. A popular fell race takes place annually between Christmas and New Year. The path from Ambleside was restored in the late 1990s after erosion became severe. Sections of the path now resemble an irregular stone staircase.

Wansfell Pike offers a rocky top and fine views, especially of Windermere to the south. The higher summit, Baystones, is a grassy hummock marked by a cairn. A dry stone wall links the two tops. The fell can also be reached from Troutbeck via Nanny Lane or through Skelghyll Wood. A path through the wood passes Kelsick Scar and a disused aqueduct observatory. Wansfell lies on the Windermere Way, a long-distance route around the lake.