Atlas Obscura - Latest • Jan. 21, 2026, 3:15 p.m.
River Rothay Stepping Stones in Ambleside, England
In the heart of the Lake District is the River Rothay, a small spate river whose name means 'the red one' in Old Norse. From its source north of the village of Grasmere, the river flows into the lake that the village is named after, before continuing onto and through Rydal Water.
Shortly after leaving the eastern side of Rydal, the river arrives at the charming River Rothay stepping stones. From here, the Rothay continues along the western edge of the town of Ambleside, before emptying into the northern end of Windermere, England's largest lake.
The stepping stones provide hikers and walkers with a more direct path heading back towards Ambleside. However, this route was rendered impassable in December 2015, after heavy flooding caused by Storm Desmond washed away several of the original stones.
Source: atlasobscura.com ↗
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