Today was a cold but beautiful Autumn day with the leaves turning colour. I have just bought a new Nikon D40 camera so was keen to try it out with a few landscape shots. I had a Pentax ME Super many moons ago, but have had small digital cameras for a few years, so it was great to get back to a real camera and see what it could do. We parked up in Rydal ourside the church, and walked along the road for a few metres before jumping through a hole in the wall to joing a path on the opposite side of the road. In no time we were walking along the side of Rydal Water. 
The colours of the trees were fantastic with purple, orange, brown tinges. The sun was out in parts and there was a blistering cold wind. Before long, the path splits into two. We took the upper path above Jobson's Close which passes an entrance to a cave. Here you have a choice of two directions to go. To the left or to the right of the cave. We took the path to the right which skirts along the parallel to the edge of the water and Loughrigg Terrace, with views over Grasmere and Helm Cragg.
At the foot of the lake there is a path to the left which is a fairly sharp climb to the top of Loughrigg. At this intersection of paths there was a flood of walkers approaching from the opposite direction. Presumably because you can park closer on the road that goes round Grasmere. The path at this point has been converted to steps pretty much all the way to the top. I am not convinced these things are such a good idea. I'm sure they help to preserve the landscape on well trodden routes, and enable people who would come dressed in espadrilles to get out and see the Lakes, but there is something not quite right about converting footpaths to steps. Anyway after a cold climb which seemed to see off quite a few people on this part of the walk, we reached the top. This fell is a bit like Catbells, tourists do there bit going up the well trodden path, get to the top and go back down again.
From the top you get a good view of the Langdales. Continuing over the top though the fell is much more rugged, and yes you have guessed it, empty. A pleasant stroll takes you over the top of Loughrigg, with a good view down the length of Windermere and back round to the cave mentioned earlier. And before you know it you are back at the car ready for a stop off at the Kings Arms in Hawkshead for a quick pint of Hawkshead Gold from the local microbrewery to look at the photos you have taken on route.
