Between Grasmere and Langdale

Lake District Walk

Maps

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL6	Sheet Map	1:25k	BUY
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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL7	Sheet Map	1:25k	BUY
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Ordnance Survey Landranger 90	Sheet Map	1:50k	BUY
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Walk Route Description

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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 Lakeland and its fells. This Lake District 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.

Walk GradingMore Lake District Walks
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Other walks nearby

Walk 3625	Silver How from Grasmere	easy	3.2 miles
Walk 1472	Alcock Tarn & Rydal Water	easy/mod	7.0 miles
Walk 1565	Rydal Water & Grasmere circular	easy/mod	6.0 miles
Walk 1682	Rydal Water & Grasmere	easy/mod	5.5 miles
Walk 1111	High Raise & Helm Crag	mod/hard	9.5 miles
Walk 1823	Fairfield Horseshoe & Loughrigg from High Close	mod/hard	14.0 miles
Walk 2254	Grisedale Tarn from Grasmere	moderate	5.5 miles
Walk 2841	Seat Sandal via Grisedale Tarn from Grasmere	moderate	5.0 miles
Walk 2932	Green Burn horseshoe from Grasmere	moderate	7.0 miles
Walk 2715	Skelwith Bridge & Loughrigg	easy/mod	5.5 miles

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