- Visit hidden Harrop Tarn
- Lakeside path along the shores of Thirlmere
- Quiet and peaceful at any time of the year
I had never been tempted to walk on the quiet west side of Thirlmere, it has always looked a bit bleak and dark from the road whilst the ridge above (which I have walked along) is boggy and largely uninteresting. I was only partially correct. It was almost by mistake we headed there one sunny day and discovered a pleasant walk through the woods up to and then beyond Harrop Tarn. The climb to the tarn is steep but there is a waterfall and a narrow gorge which diverts the attention with teasing views of the lake through the trees – similar in many ways to the climb up Barf above Bassenthwaite. The shoreline of Thirlmere is more pleasant than Bassenthwaite and walking through the woods is a peaceful and pleasant experience.
At the present time (late 2017) Thirlmere is the centre of a ‘conservation’ controversy with the proposed building of zip wires over the lake. My belief is that it may well be a good option in a quiet part of the county, my concern is more economic with little benefit to the local communit, poor paid jobs and ‘outside’ ownership.
Recommend: Park at Steel End and enjoy the lakeside path to Dobgill car park rather than tackling the slopes direct.
All maps are copyright of Where2Walk © 2020
| OS Map: |
O/S 1.25,000. OL5 English Lakes North EasternBuy Map |
| Start Point: | NY 320130. Steel End Car Park and then take the pleasant path to the lakeside |
| Height to Climb: | 193 ms (633 feet) |
| Terrain: | A steep climb to the forest track at Harrop Tarn and the rest is via a lakeside path or forest track. |
| Eating & Drinking: | There is nowhere to eat and drink around Thirlmere - Grasmere is probably nearest |
| Similar Walks Nearby: |
A walk over High Rigg nr Thirlmere Short climb up the Lion & the Lamb Following the shores of Thirlmere |
| Places to Stay: |