Around Tarn Hows

A gentle walk in a beautiful setting, enjoyable in any weather. The walk is accessible to wheelchairs and pushchairs and is not too long for little legs.

Technical sheet

n°962039

Creation:
5 Feb 2018

Last update:
27 Feb 2018

Last review:
11 Jul 2022

Activity: Walking
Distance: 2.62 km
Calculated time: 0h 50
Difficulty: Easy
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 34 m
Vertical drop: - 36 m
Highest point: 220 m
Lowest point: 191 m

Country: United Kingdom
Area: Lake District
District: Hawkshead
Start/End: N 54.395019° / W 3.028695°
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Description der Wandertour

(S) Park in the National Trust car park just above the lake. With your back to the car park, turn right up the road for about 30m and then left onto the footpath around the lake.

The path around the lake is wide and easy to follow, with beautiful views. Stay on the main path all the way down to the end of the lake, keeping an eye out for the two "money trees" - fallen trees, which have been decorated with thousands of penny coins.

(1) On reaching the end of the lake, make sure you bear right, to stay on the lake path, which then joins up with the Cumbria Way.

(2) The return journey along the northwesterly side of the lake can be a little steep in places, but the path is wide and well-maintained, and the compact stone surface makes it smooth. The views from up above the lake are stunning.

(3)When you reach the road at the end of the lake, turn right and continue 70 m down the road to get back to the car park. You will have great views along the way here of the Coniston hills and Langdale Pikes in the distance.

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 193 m - National Trust car park
1 : km 1.17 - alt. 206 m - Bear right at end of lake
2 : km 1.49 - alt. 198 m - Bear right onto Cumbria Way
3 : km 2.55 - alt. 191 m - Turn right down road
S/E : km 2.62 - alt. 193 m - National Trust car park

Practical information

There are toilets just beside the car park, and an ice cream van in summer.
The National Trust car park is a paid car park.
There are plenty of benches on the way around the lake to rest tired legs.
You can extend this walk by an hour or two by walking up from Coniston village. The walk is lovely with a combination of woodland and open views of the fells.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5

Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5

Clarity of route map
5 / 5

Route interest
5 / 5

Prin

Jul 11, 2022 at 06:21 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 09/07/22
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

An excellent circular walk with stunning scenery.

An easy walk with possible extensions - accessible from both Hawkeshead and Conniston villages.

Limited parking - local bus service available - good accessible paths

An excellent morning / afternoon's walk - 3hrs + if you include start and finish from villages - however 1 hr walk if just goining around the tarn

Trevorjohn

Mar 16, 2020 at 14:24 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 07/03/20
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Great easy walk around Tarn Hows, after walking around the tarn continued down to Coniston with a visit to the Bluebird cafe, worth doing the extra walking plenty of other routes leading off the tarn if you feel that the walk is to short and wish to extend it.

Seangrimo

Sep 17, 2018 at 09:44 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 17/09/18
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

This was a lovely easy walk with beautiful views and surroundings, would easily come back and try again

Other walks in the area

Holme Ground - Black Crag

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A pleasant hike, to the west of Ambleside, across hills overlooking Windermere and Coniston Lakes.

Wetherlam, Swirl How and Great Carrs

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A fabulous circular walk starting from the Tilberthwaite Valley. Best done in this direction so as to enjoy the ascent of Wetherlam Edge, great views in all directions and much interest on the walk.

Hawkshead Courthouse

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Tarn How's, Hawkshead

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A gradual climb to a renowned beauty spot - with stunning views of the surrounding area.

Latterbarrow

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A rewarding hike to Hawkshead’s local fell, with fine views belying its moderate height.

Latterbarrow and Wray Castle from Hawkshead

Departure from Hawkshead (Westmorland and Furness)

A Circular Walk with a short ascent of Latterbarrow that rewards you with great views of the Lake District's mountains and then a descent through woodland to pick up the lakeshore path to Wray Castle. This is a real treat for National Trust Members (non members can pay to get in) but even if you don't want to visit the castle the grounds are a good place to picnic. Return via the lakeshore path and then gradually up and through the forest to descend again to Hawkshead.

YHA hopping in The Lake District - YHA Coniston to Windermere Station

Departure from Coniston (Westmorland and Furness)

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 1 Wainwright, 5 tarns, 1 pub and a ferry.

YHA hopping in The Lake District - YHA Coniston Holly How to YHA Grasmere

Departure from Coniston (Westmorland and Furness)

The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 6 Wainwrights, 3 tarns, and 1 pub.

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

Author

Sarita J
60 walks

Walker

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