Tarn Hows

6 miles.  Some road. Boots or stout shoes recommended.

 

A circular valley walk through woods and open countryside with some stunning views of the central fells

1. From the Post Office walk (north)towards the Red Lion Pub, take first left  then under the archway and up Vicarage Lane out of the village. After about 100 yds. Take the footpath on the right across the field and up the hill. Go through a gate stile and follow the track through a small wood and over stream. Climb a short embankment and into field.  Follow path across a farm track and straight forward to the road.
2. Turn left into Hawkshead Hill, and next right (sign posted Tarn Hows.) At the next junction turn right towards Knipe Fold and Ambleside. After about 200 yds. turn left onto track/footpath. Follow this through a small hamlet and up a gentle hill. Two gates.
3. At the top in a clearing watch out for small stile in a wall on the right, take this and walk across field towards a delightful Nat. Trust cottage, perched over looking Tarn Hows.  Follow the track behind the cottage, and take the first right turn zigzagging down to the lakeside.
4. There is a good circular path around the tarn so you can either turn left or right and walk either way.  As you get to the far side, about half way round look for a path on the left signed Arnside and Langdales. Take this path and follow until you get to a walled lane.
5. Turn right (signed Hawkshead) and follow the lane up the hill and down the other side to the road.  Turn right and then left.  After about 50yds, just past some houses, take the footpath through a small stile on the right.  Go straight up the field (indistinct path) to stile in wall. Climb this and follow path keeping right where necessary. This leads to the Hawkshead Hill road. Turn left and retrace  your steps back to Hawkshead.