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The high land between Grasmere and Great Langdale is great walking country. Not blessed with any major peaks it more than rewards the walker with excellent views to a large portion of the Lake District. This walk was designed to visit three "Wainwrights" - Silver How, Blea Rigg and Tarn Crag which loosely form a horseshoe. The route is on good paths. Apart from the short section down to Belles Knot, all the descents are a pleasure with the final drop from Tarn Crag a pure delight on a wonderful grassy path. Grasmere is blessed with reasonable car parks and all are convenient starting points for this walk. Leave the village on the lane that skirts the western side of the Lake. Take the walled footpath that leaves the road opposite the cafe (Grid ref. NY334072). This climbs easily along the flanks of Silver How with improving views over Grasmere and Rydal Water. Keep the wall on your left until it bends away to left. Here turn up a steep path on your right (it looks worse than it is) which leads you without any fuss to the cairn on Silver How. From here the onward route to Blea Rigg falls into place with a well used path twisting and turning as it climbs slowly along the ridge. In some places there are a number of paths to choose from and I would advise keeping to the one that maintains the highest ground. This section of the walk is superb with wide-ranging views on both sides. It does look a difficult task of navigation on the map but it really is a case of following your nose (except in poor visibility when it could be a very confusing place to be). If you have the relevant Wainwright, then his description of the ridge route is very useful. After Blea Rigg there are excellent views of the Langdale Pikes with Pavey Ark glowering over Stickle Tarn. Care is needed now. The start of the path descending to Belles Knot and Easedale Tarn is not too clear and is only marked with a small cairn. Assuming this junction is found (!) you now have a steep descent on a poor path. Below and to the left hand side of the path is Codale Tarn. You should be making for the eastern shore of this secluded expanse of water. Follow the shore to the northern end. Pass a large boulder and make for a sheepfold, from where a small but distinct path leads upwards to Tarn Crag. Despite being a "Wainwright" Tarn Crag obviously sees few visits. The paths are excellent, still covered in grass with no evidence of erosion, and the going is easy. It is worth taking your time. The forward view and that down to Easedale Tarn are superb as you gradually descend over Greathead Crag. All too soon you reach a path from Easedale Tarn coming in from the right. Turn left along this to drop gently down to Far Easedale Gill. The remainder of the walk is straightforward, following paths and a lane back into Grasmere.
Suggested Maps It is recommended you take a map with you when following a walk route. The preferred scale is 1:25000 used by the Explorer series.
Note : If two maps are listed at the same scale then either (a) both are required for full coverage of the route or (b) the route is covered on both maps. Meadow Bank, Elterwater Langdale Estate, Great Langdale Riverside Lodge, Ambleside Parkhouse Guesthouse, Ambleside Easedale Lodge, Ambleside Rothay Manor Hotel & Restaurant, Ambleside Fell Foot Farm, Little Langdale, Ambleside Peat Howe Barn, Keswick Stybarrow Cottage, Glenridding, Ullswater Cherry Holme, Glenridding, Ullswater Self Catering Directory NOTE - all distances are "as the crow flies"
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  Luxury Bed and Breakfast  bed and breakfast Inverness
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