Lanty's Tarn

Park opposite the Patterdale Hotel in the paid car parking.

(S/E) From the car park join the main road (A592), cross over, and turn left (South-East). Walk in front of the Patterdale Hotel and then past the White Lion Hotel (opposite side of the road) and some house fronts to a tarmac track leading up and past the White Lion beer garden and some cottages.

(1) Take the track which ascends (South) and curves up and to the right behind the cottages. It will eventually lead to the back of the Patterdale Hotel so look out for a path on the left (South-West-West) and take this past a small tarn on your left and then through a gate.

The path leads around the base of Arnison Crag with nice views over Patterdale and the bottom part of Ullswater. It passes through a second gate and contours around to a junction with a path ascending from the Grisedale Road.

(2) Continue contouring the hillside with woodland and a wall on your right, pass through a wall and look out for a ruined barn at the bottom of a field on your right as the wood ends.

(3) There is a gate in the wall on the right, pass through into the field and take the diagonal path down to pass beside the barn and onto the track. Turn right and walk to the road junction.

(4) Turn left and follow the farm road, passing over a bridge, and then at the right hand dog leg in the track go straight ahead through a gate and into a field. Ascend the path through the field to a gate on the right.

(5) Take the right hand gate and continue in a gently rising contour on the left hand path where it splits. The path will take you into woodland and to Lanty's Tarn. Continue past the tarn to a gate on the right and pass through. Follow the path to the top of Keldas, where there are some good views. (6) (Take care as there is a steep drop into an old quarry/crag)

(6) From the top of Keldas retrace your steps back to (4) At the junction, turn left (East) and follow the road to Grisedale Bridge. Then turn right (East) at the junction with the main road and follow the pavement back to the Patterdale Hotel and the car park opposite. (S/E)

No shelters on this walk but it is only short and at low level.

It can be muddy after rain and the field between points 4 and 5 can have slippery grass when wet. Wear appropriate shoes. Approach shoes or trainers will do when dry but something with a grip is useful when it is wet.

Take care at the top of Keldas with the steep drop, it is marked but be forewarned if you have young children with you.

Note If you are staying in one of the lodges or accommodation at Patterdale Hall you can take an alternative route back. Just before crossing the bridge to get to point (4) there is a gate on the left leading into the Patterdale Hall Estate and signposted as such. Residents are able to take this path and it will lead down through the woods with the river on your right to the drive leading to Patterdale Hall. The estate grounds below Keldas are criss-crossed with paths and residents can pick up a map from reception. There is an old ice house to find and interesting paths to follow.
If you are staying in the ground of the estate, a good start to this walk is to take the road uphill from the end of the drive and then take the path passing Home Farm and up to the route outlined above, joining it underneath Oxford Crag/Arnison Crag.

Some interesting views over the lake on the walk around to point 2, and some varied scenery as you walk past the tarn and up to Keldas. The alternative route through the Patterdale Hall Estate is worthwhile if you are a resident.

The walk can be extended on the way back by heading SW from point 5 and doing a loop of the pasture land at the bottom of Grisedale, returning to point 4.