Visiting Lily Tarn above Ambleside makes for an excellent short walk. It is ideal for visitors who do not want to walk far but experience an area of traditional Lake District. It is a lovely spot to linger and enjoy the views.
In all my years of travelling through and visiting Ambleside I never realised that there was such a lovely area of upland countryside so close to the town centre. With my natural fell walking instincts I naturally cast my eye towards Wansfell. As a result I have ignored the hillocks, tarns and bracken coated slopes between Ambleside and Clappersgate. Eventually though I headed up some short but steep slopes from the large park and emerged at Lily Tarn overlooking Ambleside. The centrepiece of the area, a tiny tarn surrounded by rocky outcrops, all worth visiting with their excellent views in all directions.
I did not take/find the path to Clappersgate as I was not keen on walking back alongside the busy road. Therefore I returned to Ambleside via one of the multitude of sheep tracks on the slopes of the fellside but be aware some do lead through some steep land.
This is a short walk even if you do take your time and have a picnic on the summit area. However for those with extra energy in their legs head north and enjoy the delights of Loughrigg Fell.
Message to myself (and others with eyes only for the higher fells, ‘never pre-judge an area, check it out first’.
There is a track heading just north of west across the park to the west of Ambleside near the cemetery. Cross the bridge and enter some trees before crossing a second bridge over the River Rothay. From here the track yo the fellside is a few metres up the road on the right.
Is there still a tree on the small island in Lily TArn?
Yes there is
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