Loughrigg: Tales of a small mountain

Loughrigg is one of the smallest fells (mountains) in the Lake District, but one of the most popular, loved by walkers and hikers and mountain runners, nature lovers, bird watchers and environmentalists. Loughrigg, above the town of Ambleside, is small in height only. It’s a sprawling mini-mountain crossed by miles of confusing paths, blessed with many small tarns, grazed by sheep, home to deer and red squirrels, habitat for wild flowers and birds, and loved by all who climb to its prominent summit. Eileen Jones, who has visited the summit cairn around 500 times, meets the folk who live on the hill, talks to the athletes who run over it, explores the terrain and the wildlife, and looks at the artists who have painted it and the writers inspired here. This is a love letter to Loughrigg.