One of the great pleasures of walking in the Lake District are the mountain tarns. Created by the work of glaciers around 15,000 years ago the tarns are the location of many of the most picturesque views. These are my favourites.
The tarns in the Lake District (known as corries in Scotland, cwms in Wales) are formed when a glacier scours a dip in the land. They traditionally (but not always) are quite deep, have a head wall on one end and a moraine/dam near the outflow. Many of the walks in the mountains include at least one. Not only are they great to look at, add to the scenery but they are also becoming increasingly popular to swim in. Personally I prefer looking, maybe with a bit of a paddle, good after a long walk.
There are estimated to be 197 tarns in the Lake District. These are my favourite 15. Some are well known, most are less so but they all have the following in common; they require a good walk to get there. I have counted down to my favourite but all 15 are certainly worth visiting.
Scales Tarn is tucked away on the approach to Sharp Edge, the most dramatic climb of Blencathra. An easier climb heads south from the tarn.
The best walk which includes Scales Tarn is Blencathra via Sharp Edge
Between Watendlath and Rosthwaite in Borrowdale is an attractive tarn in some rugged countryside. It is perfect for a family outing with the rugged fell of Great Crag above.
The best walk which includes Dock Tarn is Dock Tarn and Watendlath
Nestled between the village of Grasmere and the western flank of the Fairfield Horseshoe is a lovely double tarn, a peaceful hideaway.
The best walk which includes Alcock Tarn is Stone Arthur & Alcock Tarn
Tucked away under Helvellyn, Red Tarn is enclosed between Striding and Swirral Edges. It is a geographers dream.
The Best Walk which includes Red Tarn is Helvellyn via Striding Edge
Styhead Tarn is one of the most visited tarns in the Lake District with good reason. It is easy to get to from Borrowdale and is in a beautiful setting. Great Gable is the steep and dominating mountain to the west with Great End directly ahead.
The best walk that includes a visit to Styhead Tarn is Styhead and Sprinkling Tarn
Angle Tarn is tucked away on the route from Patterdale to High Street. It is shallower and more sprawling than many, I think it is known as ‘freeform’ in swimming pool parlance!
The best walk including Angle Tarn is Angletarn Crags
Blind Tarn is a small circle of water tucked on the wide eastern flanks of Coniston Old Man. It looks, and is, a perfect spot, I love it.
The Best walk which includes Blind Tarn is Dow Crag via Seathwaite Tarn
A large body of water midway between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley, Devoke Water is rarely visited but is a place of quiet and peace surrounded by low hills.
For more information how to enjoy this visit the Devoke Water walk.
Stickle Tarn lies under the great head wall of Pavey Ark and reached after the steep climb from the valley. The tarn is perfectly formed, popular with many idyllic picnic spots and possibly the Lake District’s most plunged into tarn!
The best walk that includes Stickle Tarn is The Langdale Pikes
Innominate Tarn is found close to the summit of Haystacks. It is most famous as the favourite spot of Alfred Wainwright and where his ashes are scattered.
For more information on how to enjoy the Innominate Tarn walk
Sprinkling Tarn is a rugged tarn high above Seathwaite in Borrowdale and the vast headwall of Great End behind.. It is one of the finest places in England to wild camp.
For the story (and more photos) of a wild camp at Sprinkling Tarn follow this link
These two tarns are hidden away in the rarely visited lands between Eskdale and Wasdale. Throw in Eel and Stoney Tarns and it is perfect for wild swimming enthusiasts.
Blea Tarn
The best walk to these 4 Eskdale tarns is the Burnmoor and Blea Tarn walk
Beacon Tarn is quite a large body of water to the south of Coniston. It is a peaceful place surrounded by rocky knolls, hidden hollows and a sense of tranquillity. I have even had a swim in this one!
The Best walk that visits Beacon Tarn is Woodland Fell and Beacon Tarn
Nestled between Dow Crag and Coniston Old Man the approach is via the Walna Scar Road and Coniston Village.
The Best walk which includes Goats Water is the Coniston Round
Access both the Kentmere Round and High Street via Small Water at the Head of Haweswater.
The Best walk which includes Small Water is the Head of Haweswater
Many famous locals had their own personal favourites. Beatrix Potter always enjoyed Moss Eccles Tarn near Hawkshead, William Wordsworth often visited Loughrigg Tarn whilst the most famous of all, Alfred Wainwright (tarn choice not person!) had his ashes scattered at Innominate Tarn on Haystacks. The Victorians were big walkers and many a Sunday afternoon was spent visiting Easedale Tarn, near Grasmere, Bowscale Tarn near Blencathra and School Knotts near Windermere.
Enjoy your walking
Jonathan
Good information about the Lake district tarns, I would like to add Codale tarn as a must see tarn. It is remote and involves a scramble up from Easedale tarn but typifies the term Splendid isolation .
Good Choice
Hi does anybody know of a list of all the tarns I understand there is roughly 197 but me and a friend have set out to visit every one but can’t find a list of them all any info would be really appreciated Thankyou so much
Ignore my last comment just reread article.
Are you claiming that Wainright is more famous than Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth. Agree with your choices though.
Love the smaller out of the way tarns in West Cumbria. So unspoilt, real gems.
Wonderful views. Know a few, will definitely visit the rest. Great thanks.
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