Stone Arthur & Alcock Tarn Alcock Tarn is sandwiched between the village of Grasmere and the western arm of the Fairfield Round. It is a beautiful situation, rarely visited and can be directly accessed by a short, steep climb. Much better is to include Alcock Tarn as part of a higher circuit including Stone Arthur and Heron Pike. The Walk 1 Rating: Easier walk 7.5mi Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 km 760m Elevation: 760m / 2493ft
Woodland Fell and Beacon Tarn Beacon Tarn is one of my favourite places in the Lake District. Surrounded by a series of low lying hills and views across to the higher Coniston fells makes the tranquil waters of Beacon Tarn a genuine hidden gem. Visit it at any time of the year. The Walk Nestling within the low lying fells 2 Rating: Easy with uphill sections 5mi Distance: 5 miles / 8 km 232m Elevation: 232m / 761ft
Bowscale Tarn and Bannerdale Crags Mungrisedale is the start of an interesting walk to Bowscale Tarn and Bannerdale Crags. The tarn is in a beautiful setting and the easy walking from Bowscale summit to Bannerdale has some wonderful views over Blencathra and Skiddaw. The Walk The Victorian’s certainly knew a good walk and the bridleway to Bowscale Tarn provides an excellent 3 Rating: Moderate walk 6.5mi Distance: 6.5 miles / 10.4 km 486m Elevation: 486m / 1594ft
A Fistful of Dodds The long northern ridge from Helvellyn comprises a number of rounded humps. The walking on these mountains is very easy, undulating easy slopes. The approach from Dockray is also straightforward albeit with some steeper sections. The walk name “Fistful of Dodds” is courtesy of a classic Clint Eastwood film. 3 Rating: Moderate walk 8.5mi Distance: 8.5 miles / 13.6 km 540m Elevation: 540m / 1771ft
Top o’ Selside This is an interesting and quiet walk along the south east shores of Coniston. The Top o’ Selside is the highest point above the lake with some great views north along the lake to the Coniston fells. 3 Rating: Moderate walk 5.5mi Distance: 5.5 miles / 8.8 km 258m Elevation: 258m / 846ft
Burnmoor and Blea Tarns in Eskdale The rugged nature of the land which circles Eskdale is perfect for the formation of a tarns (mountain lakes). This walk links 3 or even 4 in a peaceful circuit that also visits the rarely visited Miterdale. The area between Wasdale and Eskdale is a wonderful place to explore. I had never even heard of 3 Rating: Moderate walk 9mi Distance: 9 miles / 14.4 km 450m Elevation: 450m / 1476ft
Black Combe climb Perched on the far south west corner of the Lake District Black Combe sits almost on top of the sea. The climb is via an excellent path up the mountain. An alternative, longer, descent heads north and west in to remote lands. The Walk 1970′. William Wordsworth once described Black Combe as having the “amplest 3 Rating: Moderate walk 5mi Distance: 5 miles / 8 km 550m Elevation: 550m / 1804ft
Staveley and Potter Tarn The twin tarns of Gurnal Dubs and Potter Tarn form the centrepiece of an attractive area of moorland near Kendal. Combined with a walk along the River Kent to Staveley it makes for an attractive day. The Walk I recently visited the two tarns on a dry and crisp winter’s morning. There was no-one around 3 Rating: Moderate walk 6.5mi Distance: 6.5 miles / 10.4 km 271m Elevation: 271m / 889ft
Yewdale from Coniston Yewdale lies north west of Coniston and is an area of rugged low lying fells which is rarely explored. The walk of Yewdale from Coniston takes you through this lovely, peaceful area. However it also includes the slate mining valleys of Tilberthwaite and in to the heart of the Coniston fells. The Walk There are 3 Rating: Moderate walk 6.5mi Distance: 6.5 miles / 10.4 km 450m Elevation: 450m / 1476ft
Bannisdale Horseshoe Only 5 miles from Kendal the Bannisdale Horseshoe is a walk for those after solitude and tranquility. Nine of Wainwright’s Outlying Fells form the focus for the 12 mile round. The Walk Aside from dedicated followers of Wainwright, the guide book writer, very few will have heard of the Bannisdale Horseshoe. I certainly had not. 4 Rating: Moderate and over 10 miles 11.5mi Distance: 11.5 miles / 18.4 km 720m Elevation: 720m / 2362ft
Head of Haweswater The Head of Haweswater walk circles the valley head,starting with a rocky climb past the idyllic Small Water. The return heads south east over the lesser visited peaks of Harter Fell, Branstree and Selside Pike. The Walk Haweswater is a good base for a climb of the eastern fells. The walking tends to be shorter 5 Rating: Difficult walk 7.5mi Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 km 740m Elevation: 740m / 2427ft
Discover the Upper Esk On leaving the road in Eskdale as it heads towards Hard Knott you enter a new world and discover the Upper Esk. The tumbling river, steep mountains and lack of people make this an extremely enjoyable area to walk in. 3 Rating: Moderate walk 8mi Distance: 8 miles / 12.8 km 343m Elevation: 343m / 1125ft
