Tarn Hows

Tarn Hows

South Western Lake District

Route: Tarn Hows

Area: South Western Lake District

Date of walk: 14th January 2015

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 6.5 miles

Weather: Mostly overcast with a few breaks in the cloud. Very cold

Tarn Hows, or The Tarns, is one of the most visited spots in Lakeland, and can be a little too busy at peak times. The tarn is partly artificial, being three tarns joined together in the 19th century, and most of the trees surrounding it are conifers. There is a very easy path around its circumference which is accessible to wheelchairs

I parked in the National Trust car park at Glen Mary Bridge and followed climbed up the path beside Tom Gill. There had been some overnight snow and it was quite slippery underfoot. The waterfalls were in good form as I worked my way up to the iconic beauty spot which is Tarn Hows

The tarn was looking as lovely as ever as I followed the easy path round its eastern shore. It was tempting to do a circuit of the tarn, but instead I headed away from it and onto Oxen Fell on the other side of the A593

The track across Oxen Fell took me past the spectacular slate quarry at Hodge Close, a massive excavation about 150 feet deep

I then walked round the flanks of Holme Fell back to the start. This is a great walk, whatever the weather

For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box

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