A very pleasant 8.6 mile walk with just over 2000ft of ascent, with the raised coffin route outward giving good views, and Loughrigg on the return more widespread ones and more effort. From Ambleside go north on the main road to take a right on the track to Rydal through the park. An early café break at the tea shop can be taken, before turning up the road past Rydal Mount then left on the coffin route path with good views of the lakes and Loughrigg. As the road descends, cut the corners on paths, then across the main road go into Grasmere, where pubs, cafes and the ginger bread shop await you. Take the first left past the church on road, then the first path right off this, signed “Chapel Stile”. This gradually rises, eventually by a wall on the left, around a shoulder of Silver How. Where the wall turns left, take the left path branch and follow it more or less down and along till opposite the corner of the plantation on the left, where carry straight on, just south of south-east, on a thin path. Where it descends, aim for the ascending path on the left by a wall, and over by some rocks to descend to the corner of the plantation in front, through a small gate by a stream and to a minor road. Right here, then first left down to where the Loughrigg Terrace opens out. Here, take the popular stepped path ascending to Loughrigg summit. Carry on from here in the same line, down southeasterly, on which ever path suits, till a stream has to be crossed by large stepping stones. Either take the highway left here back home via Miller Brow and Rothay Park, or go over the low hill ahead and carry on to Lily Tarn, a lovely spot, particularly in summer, then veer left to finish the same way.
An alternative ascent of Loughrigg involving an interesting NT arboretum is to aim right, south, where the descent starting “where it descends..” above finishes, which leads to a road. Carry on left and shortly down the track with a NT High Close sign on it. Through the arboretum as on the second map below, turn right on the road, first left on a signed path, and left steeply up after the gate after the wood. This ascent is quieter and pleasanter, with great views looking back.
Loughrigg and Rydal Water from the coffin path. 
Helm Crag from the road to Grasmere. 
Grisedale Hause between Seat Sandal and Fairfield, from below Silver How. 
On Silver How’s SE spur, Loughrigg in the distance. 
Another view of Grisedale Hause from near Hammerscar plantation. 
Interesting fence pole fixation en route to Loughrigg terrace. 
Lily Tarn. 
Descending to Ambleside. 
View from the alt. ascent of Loughrigg
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