Tarn Hows
Distance: Short route 2 miles , longer route 4 miles
Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Short route easy, longer route moderate
Sheep Watch: The area is grazed by cattle so keep an eye out for these. We also encountered sheep on certain sections of the walk.
Parking: National Trust car park at LA22 0PP, free for members
Refreshments: Toilets in car park but no refreshments
Tarn Hows is part of a designed landscape created in 1865. The tarns that exist now were created by damming a beck in Victorian times and make for a stunning walk at all times of year.
Follow the track as it continues around the tarn to a point where a path crosses the main route. Pass through the gate to the left of the track and head uphill to an upper track. Continue on this track in the direction signposted to Coniston, Hawkshead and Old car park until reaching the short stay viewing car park. The views from up here over the tarns and surrounding landscape are truly stunning.
You can then head down to the tarns and keep them on your right hand side as you make your way back to the car park.
This is a really straightforward walk for all abilities if you’re short on time. If you want to make a longer walk of it, we’d recommend extending to take in Black Crag which offers magnificent views of the Coniston and Langdale fells.
We’d recommend this one in low season or early/late in the day as it can get extremely busy!
Happy walking and thanks for reading,
Cara, Andy, Poppy & Maple x
