64 ItYDAL BECK. 



the waterfall, and lie will find himself high up 

 on the side of Wansfell when the fences come to 

 an end. The rest of the ascent is merely a steep 

 grassy slope, by which he will attain the rocky 

 crest of the mountain. There is no difficulty, 

 and no great fatigue in the walk, provided it be 

 taken in dry weather. After rains, there is a good 

 deal of boggy ground. 



VI. As for the Rydal beck, it is as well known 

 by its falls. Above the park, the stream is still 



very beautiful, presenting a succession 

 of little falls, and leading up into the 

 heart of the recess of Fairfield. The ridge, through- 

 out its circuit, is presented in the next section. 



The streams, levels, and heights of the Ambleside 

 valley being thus disposed of, it only remains to 

 notice two or three walks within reach at either 

 extremity, besides those which merely follow the 

 high road ; — as up towards Kirkstone, over to- 

 wards Coniston, down towards Windermere, and 

 onwards towards Grasmere. 



VII. One lovely walk is along the face of Nab 

 Scar, from Rydal to Grasmere. At the summit 



of Rydal Mount, a path leads to the 

 G terTa F c R e E left, immediately behind Wordsworth's 



house. It proceeds, in the form of a 

 terrace, all the way to Grasmere. The further gate 

 of Wordsworth's garden opens upon this green 

 terrace ; and it is truly a poet's walk. It com- 

 mands first the whole length of the Roth ay valley, 

 with Windermere in the distance ; then the turn 

 of the pass, with the bold slope of Loughrigg 

 opposite ; then the pass itself with Rydal Lake 

 sleeping below; and finally Grasmere, where it 

 brings the stranger into the mail road. 



