Tarn Hows National trust walk with waterfalls, woodlands and classic Lake District views

Tarn hows, best, walk, route, map, Lake District, lakes, Beatrix Potter, national trust, Glen Mary

Tarn Hows is one of the most popular Lake District walks and tourist destinations and is a great walk no matter what level of fitness and age!

Tarn Hows National Trust walk overview:

Tarn Hows Walk Distance: 2.8 miles (4.4km)

Tarn Hows Walk Time: 1.5 hours

Tarn Hows Walk Difficulty: Easy/Moderate (a few gentle hills - nothing too)

Tarn Hows walk map - best route:

Many people on a visit to Tarn Hows head straight to the main car park which is quite near Tarn Hows and then just have a leisurely walk around the Tarn, however I recommend adding a little bit extra onto your route and instead parking in the smaller National Trust car park at Glen Mary Bridge. You would then head clock-wise on the above map route, first passing through woodland and then walking on the path which follows the gill which drains out of Tarn Hows. The first bit of this walk is a nice little woodland walk which is uphill and you'll see some impressive waterfalls. Then you can walk around Tarn Hows. Make sure you take the elevated path to the south-eastern part of the Tarn as shown above near Howgraves as this is where the best views are. You will then track a quiet and minor road before heading back to Glen Mary car park. For any able walkers I would really recommend this route as it's more varied and also ideal for children.

Tarn Hows Walk Photos - what to expect:

So we begin this Tarn Hows walk at the National Trust car park at Glen Mary. Its not the biggest so I'd recommend getting here as early as possible

The start of the path and a little information board about the area. Originally this area was called Tom Gill, but John Ruskin gave the area the more picturesque name of Glen Mary!

It's through the gate and we'll track Tom Gill all the way to Tarn Hows

The path is well marked and up a (gentle) his most of the way - nothing too strenuous

In the height of summer this part of the Tarn Hows walk is lush with foliage and almost has a tropical with all the cascading waterfalls around

You can actually get down quite close to the base of this waterfall and is well worth a stop off

Another impressive cascading waterfall on this Tarn Hows walk route

Tom Gill eventually leads to the Tarn Hows and the path levels out here. The low level path around the tarn is very accessible and even suitable for wheelchairs and childrens bikes

Another nice spot to take a rest and soak in the stunning Tarn Hows views in this National trust area

You can stick to a low level path around the Tarn Hows edge, but I recommend taking the more elevated path at the south-eastern part of Tarn Hows as the views are pretty special!

Tarn Hows is a really special National Trust location

This Tarn Hows walk is fairly short and suitable for all levels of ability and age :-)

It seems the area around Tarn Hows is a bit of a haven for wildlife! There were also dragon flies as well as the more well know Herdwick Sheep and Galloway Cattle

Another perfect place to stop off and admire the views. You have to come off the main path a little to get to this point, and as log as you stick to my recommended route above you'll arrive here at the south-eastern part of Tarn Hows

After our circular walk around Tarn Hows the route follows this quiet and minor route for a short distance

Be sure to come off the road to the right at this point to get on the footpath back to Glen Mary Car park

It's then a short walk along this quaint footpath back to the car

So that wraps up this guide to what is in my humble opinion the best walk when visiting Tarn Hows. I hope you have found it useful and it inspires and helps in planning your visit :-)

Happy Hiking!

Post by Stuart Hodgson
'The Hiking Photographer'

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