Tarn Hows Walk: Routes, Facts, Parking & More (2023)
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Looking for information about the Tarn Hows walk? You’re in the right place! Tarn Hows is one of the best easy and flat walks in the Lake District and is a great place to spend the day.
From the pretty views to the flat grassy areas to enjoy a picnic, it’s one of the most iconic circular trails that’s suitable for all types of walkers.
Located just a short distance from the town of Coniston, the main trail for Tarn Hows has no steep inclines, sheer drops or elevation. This means you can enjoy Tarn Hows in any kind of weather, with any level of fitness (and even walk it during the colder winter months!)
In the following post, I delve into why you should visit Tarn Hows, what you’ll need to take, the type of terrain and the different Tarn Hows trails. Plus, I explain why it’s one of my favourite walks in the Lake District, and why I’ll return time and time again!
So, let’s get started and learn everything there is to know about the lovely Tarn Hows.
Looking for other easy walks in the Lake District? Check out my list of the best easy and flat walks in the Lake District here!
Other Lake District walking posts:
- Loughrigg Fell From Ambleside: Complete Beginner Guide
- Blea Tarn Walk: What to Expect
- BEST Walks from Ambleside, Lake District
- 13 Tips for Walking in the Lake District
- Helm Crag walk from Grasmere
Tarn Hows Walk: A Summary
The Tarn Hows circular loop is one of the best walks in the Lake District because it is attainable for everyone.
We return to the Lake District every year, and every year we head back to Tarn Hows! With the ease of the clear main pathway, it’s a great place to take elder relatives or family members and enjoy the day at your own pace.
Similar to most places in the national park, there are plenty of off-road trails to choose from, as well as the main, easy tourist path that loops around Tarn Hows. For example, you can hike to the Tom Gill waterfall or the iconic Black Fell Wainwright.
If you’re a bit of an adventure seeker, the other trails leading away from Tarn Hows are a little more difficult. They’re just as beautiful but may involve jumping over exposed tree routes, kissing fences or hiking uphill. But more on that later!
This post focuses on the main Tarn Hows path, which is well-paved and easy to follow. You’ll only need a few hours to complete it, especially if you’re not planning on spending the day there or having lunch!
Let’s have a look at some quick facts about Tarn Hows.
| Total circular distance | 3.2km |
| Time needed | 45 minutes – 2 hours |
| Difficulty level | Easy, no difficult or challenging terrains |
| Facilities available | Toilets, large National Trust car park, ice cream van, large areas of grass to have a picnic |
| Starting point | National Trust Car Park, then signposts lead you to the main trail |
| Closest village | Coniston or Hawkshead |
There are toilets at the main National Trust Tarn Hows car park, but there are no food facilities apart from a seasonal ice cream van.
At this moment in time (2023), you cannot swim in Tarn Hows. This is for a number of reasons, but mainly because of scientific research taking place in the water.
Where is Tarn Hows?
Tarn Hows is located just a 10-minute drive from Coniston (3.5 miles) and less than a 20-minute drive from Ambleside (under 6 miles).
It is north-west of Hawkshead. If you are using Google Maps, you can enter ‘Tarn Hows’ and be directed straight to the car park. The postcode is LA22 0PP.
I recommend driving to Tarn Hows, as it’s quite an uphill walk from Coniston or Hawkshead.
When you’ve finished your walk and are leaving the Tarn Hows car park, be sure to check out the surrounding mountain views as you’re driving back to Coniston. They’re beautiful!
Getting to Tarn Hows
Tarn Hows postcode: LA22 0PP
- 🚗 TRAVELLING TO TARN HOWS BY CAR
Tarn Hows is well-signed on the roads and easy to reach by car. Ambleside to Tarn Hows is less than a twenty-minute drive. Tarn Hows directions can be followed on your Sat Nav.
Take the B5285 towards Hawkhead Hill from either Coniston or Ambleside. Continue to turn onto Hawkshead Hill and then follow the signs. The last ascent to the car park is more of a lane so journey times may take slightly longer.
- 🚌 TRAVELLING TO TARN HOWS BY BUS
If you’re using public transport, the nearest bus stop is in Hawkshead. This is just over a kilometre away from the Tarn Hows walk itself.
Visiting the Lake District by public transport? Use this Lake District without a car guide to help plan your trip!
Where to park for the Tarn Hows walk
The National Trust Tarn Hows car park is located right at the start of the walk. There are many car parking spaces, but it gets busier during peak times. Prices start from £5 ($7) per two hours.
If you’re planning on visiting the Lake District more than once, I highly recommend getting a National Trust membership. This gives you free access to all of the UK’s national parks, as well as including free parking!
Parking in the Lake District is extortionate, so the National Trust annual membership fee is well worth it!
Route description: The circular Tarn Hows walk
Tarn Hows is an easy circular walk that is ideal for all ages and abilities.
Throughout the walk, the path is stable and well-maintained, meaning it is suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. There are a few easy-to-open gates on the route, mainly in the area where there are free-roaming cows.
Regardless of which way you take on the main Tarn Hows walk, it’s impossible to get lost. The trail around the tarn (aka a body of water in Lake District terms) is circular and easy to follow, and there are plenty of signs.
Tarn Hows also has lots of benches and rest stops. There are some slight inclines, but they’re gentle and can be avoided if you decide to turn around and head back from the way you started.
Tarn Hows is dog-friendly, but as I mentioned, there are some free-roaming cows, so you’ll want to keep them close and on a lead!
You won’t need to worry about specific directions or needing an OS map unless you’re considering going “off the beaten track” and up to the Tom Gill waterfall or Black Fell peak.
The complete circular loop around Tarn Hows is around 3.2 km (2 miles), and will take around 1-1.5 hours, depending on the amount of stops you take and your pace.
Unfortunately, Tarn Hows swimming is off the cards, so you don’t need to plan that into your itinerary!
What can you see on the Tarn Hows walk?
Make sure you take some time to admire the views when walking around Tarn Hows. From the free-roaming animals to the surrounding mountains, to the green, dense woodland and the beautiful reflections on the water.
There are also some lovely grassy spots where you can set up a picnic and soak it all in!
When you’re walking on the trail, keep an eye out for money trees. These can be found all over the Lake District, and are fallen trees that visitors have deeply wedged coins into. It’s a British tradition dating way back to the 1700s (although I don’t recommend sticking coins into any new trees).
These coins are now impossible to remove, and legend has it, if you remove a coin you will become ‘sick’. Or, if you’re unwell yourself, poking a coin into the tree is said to bring good health, so the legend is a little unreliable…
Other walks near Tarn Hows
1. Tom Gill waterfall
The Tom Gill Waterfall can be added to your Tarn Hows walk to add to your distance.
It isn’t necessarily a difficult walk, but does involve some hiking uphill and walking over exposed tree roots and bumpy terrain.
The walk to Tom Gill is roughly 2km (1.2 miles) from the Tarn Hows circular loop, and will take around 45-60 minutes to complete.
If you’re up for an adventure, it’s a great easy hike to do!
Related post: the best Lake District waterfalls that are easy to visit!
2. Black Fell
Black Fell is known for being one of the easiest Wainwrights in the Lake District. It can easily be done alongside Tarn Hows, and will add just 1-2 hours onto your walk.
From the Tarn Hows circular path, take a left at the signposts that say “Arnside and Langdales”, and hike uphill to reach the summit of Black Fell. It’s relatively easy, isn’t too challenging, and the views are beautiful.
For a detailed description of the Black Fell walk from Tarn Hows, check out the Walk Lakes website.
TOP TIP: If you’re hiking ‘off the beaten track’ in the Lake District, it’s best to carry an OS Explorer Map. The map for Tarn Hows is OL 7 (Southeastern: Windermere, Kendal and Silverdale).
Tarn Hows in the media
Whilst Tarn Hows isn’t in any famous movies or TV shows, it was once owned by Beatrix Potter, the famous British author.
Combine your walk with a visit to the World of Beatrix Potter to truly immerse yourself in the Lake District’s history!
Looking for somewhere that you might recognise on Netflix? Check out the Rydal Caves walk for the set of The Witcher!
Tarn Hows walk: FAQs
1) Is Tarn Hows a Wainwright?
Tarn Hows walk is not a Wainright, but that doesn’t make it any less special! It’s still a pretty and scenic walk in the Lake District that can be enjoyed by all.
Looking to hike a Wainwright? We love both Scafell Pike and Loughrigg Fell, both of which I’ve written guides for.
2) Can you wild camp at Tarn Hows?
You cannot wild camp at Tarn Hows. It’s too busy and small for any kind of wild camping. Wild camping is not allowed in any of the Lake District National Park.
3) Can you swim in Tarn Hows?
No, wild swimming is not allowed at Tarn Hows. This is due to it being an area of Specific Scientific Interest. There is also a high number of leeches in the water at Tarn Hows. We have seen some unbeknownst tourists jump in for a swim on hotter days, but I wouldn’t recommend it!
4) How long is the walk around Tarn Hows?
The Tarn Hows circular walk is roughly 3km (or 2 miles). This is a circular walk with a few gates. The path is well looked after throughout.
If you start the walk and continue the whole way around the loop, it will take just under one hour. However, there are many scenic points for photos and dipping your toes in the water, so you can do the Tarn Hows walk at your own pace.
5) Can I do the Tarn Hows walk if I’m afraid of heights?
Yes, there are no sheer drops of edges on the Tarn Hows walk. You can absolutely still walk it if you’re afraid of heights!
6) Do I need hiking boots for the Tarn Hows walk?
Not necessarily, no. Although the terrain is bumpy and uneven, it can be walked in regular trainers or running shoes. However, if you’re going to be doing multiple walks in the Lake District, I’d always recommend investing in a pair of hiking boots.
These particular hiking boots are my favourite as they’re comfortable, waterproof, durable and slip-proof (which for someone with a fear of heights is a deal-breaker).
7) Is there a waterfall at Tarn Hows?
There is not a waterfall on the Tarn Hows circular walk. However, you can walk off-track to the Tom Gill waterfall, which is near Tarn Hows. The Tom Gill waterfall is a giant drop of over 30ft (9m) and is one of the most popular waterfalls in the Lake District.
8) What is the meaning of Tarn Hows?
Tarn comes from the Old Norse word; tjörn, meaning ‘small mountain lake’. Haugr is another Old Norse word for hill or mound. Put together, it makes the name Tarn Hows.
9) Is there a toilet at Tarn Hows?
Yes, there is a toilet in the Tarn Hows National Trust car park.
10) Can you swim in a tarn?
Yes, you can swim in tarns all over the Lake District. However, most tarns are extremely cold, so be sure to wear a wet suit!
11) What are the best maps for walking in the Lake District?
If you are doing any kind of walking or hiking in the Lake District, you will need Ordnance Survey OS Explorer maps. Most of the hikes are not signposted and Google Maps is not accurate on mountain trails. The OS Explorer maps cover the whole of the Lake District but are broken down into different areas. Make sure you buy the right map for the area you would like to hike in.
➡ Buy your Lake District Ordnance Survey OS Explorer maps now!
12) Do I need a car to visit the Lake District?
If you’re visiting the Lake District and are short on time, I recommend hiring a car. However, it is possible to get around the Lake District using public transport.
If you’re looking to hire a car in the Lake District, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world! ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in the UK now!
13) What tours should I do in the Lake District?
Looking to book a tour in the Lake District? Tours are one of the best ways to see the hidden gems of the country you are visiting. If you’re travelling during peak season, I highly recommend pre-booking your tours to ensure you don’t miss out!
When travelling, we use this company to book our tours. Tours include skip-the-line tickets to the world’s most iconic attractions, walking tours by top local experts, immersive food and beverage tours, cooking and craft classes, bucket list experiences, and niche offerings you won’t find anywhere else!
If you’re visiting for the first time, the tours I recommend doing are:
- Ten Lakes Full-Day Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
- William Wordsworth and Dove Cottage Half-Day Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
- Beatrix Potter Tour: ➡ MORE INFORMATION + BOOKINGS
➡ You can check out available tours in the Lake District with prices here!
14) Do I need a SIM card to visit the Lake District?
If you’re not from the UK, it’s worth downloading an eSIM on your phone to ensure you can use it for directions and avoid roaming charges as soon as you arrive.
ESIMs are easy to download and ready to use within a few minutes of purchasing! Plus, there are eSIMs available for the entire continent of Europe, so there’s no longer a need to hunt down free Wifi! ➡ You can check out the prices and packages for eSIMs here!
Tarn Hows walk: In a Nutshell
So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the Tarn Hows walk. When you’re planning a trip to the Lake District and doing the Tarn Hows circular walk, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!
If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m currently travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!
Keep an eye out for more Lake District content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!
As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
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MEET THE AUTHOR!
Hi! I'm Jennie! As a part-time travel blogger based in London, I'm using my 10+ years of travel expertise to encourage & inspire you to step out of your comfort zone through sustainable, mindful and purposeful travel.
If I'm not writing, I'm either reading, drinking coffee or taking a wild swim (all at the same time if I'm feeling impressive).
