Easdale Tarn & Tarn Crag

Following on from the somewhat lacklustre weather we had in the Lakes during our week there at the start of June, I was thrilled that our Wainwright bagging trip at the start of August had back to back sunny days. On the Saturday we tackled Melbreak and Hen Comb, an obvious choice being the two closest remaining Wainwrights to where we were staying, but the Sunday choice posed a bit of a conundrum.

The principle source of our indecision was the rather conflicting weather forecast. The summary for the day was for heavy rain, not an ideal choice for a fell walk, but the detailed hourly breakdown had the rain stopping at 10am and the sun out by 1pm. Feeling somewhat traumatised by previous walks abandoned due forecast light showers actually being sideways heavy rain, we agreed to play it safe with a single summit which could be easily ditched if things were looking sketchy.

Ultimately we chose an 8 mile circular route which would bag Tarn Crag (Easedale), and which we could turn into a mooch around Easedale Tarn if the weather decided heavy rain was on the cards after all. It had the added bonus of starting from Grasmere, which, when setting off later than the crack of dawn during school summer holidays, has plenty of parking.

The first section of the walk follows the well-trodden path up to Easedale Tarn, which is occasionally sign posted but I still managed to nearly go the wrong way. Sometimes there are cattle in the fields down here (happily not on this occasion), but I psyched myself up to face them if they were there by telling myself Easedale Tarn is such a popular walk that they’re probably very used to people, right…?

The walk up to Easedale Tarn was both more beautiful and tougher than I remembered from the first time we did it: more beautiful because I could actually see our surroundings (our first visit having been in torrential rain), and tougher probably for a similar reason of the sunshine making it quite hot at times. It was just a sheer pleasure despite the relatively strenuous initial climb up to the tarn, with tumbling waterfalls and verdant greenery. The dogs loved being able to splash in the stream for much of this section too.

It didn’t take too long to get up to Easedale Tarn (does anyone else walk faster to avoid being overtaken?), which was quieter than we’d expected given its popularity. We didn’t dwell on the shores of the tarn though, setting our sights higher: Tarn Crag, a rocky outcrop towering above Easedale Tarn.

The path skirts around Easedale Tarn to take a circuitous approach to the peak. From this point in the walk we had the path entirely to ourselves: just the way we like it. The view of Easedale Tarn just got better and better as we climbed, before we found ourselves at a fun scrambly section where the path starts to climb by a waterfall. For this reason, WalkLakes advises to always do this walk in this direction, and it’s sensible advice.

Not long after this the route levelled out, becoming marginally boggy as it approached Codale Tarn. Smaller and quieter than Easedale Tarn, Codale Tarn would be a great place to stop for lunch. Unfortunately time waits for no man (or rather, Sam marches on with the speed and endurance of an ultra runner, while I dawdle at the back taking photos), so by the time I’d had this realisation Sam had already disappeared over the next grassy knoll. Next time!

The top of Tarn Crag isn’t the most inspiring Wainwright we’ve ever climbed, but it’s also certainly not the worst. And the views got better as we started to descend, with a cracking view over to Helm Crag, as well as views over Easedale Tarn and the Lakes beyond.

At times the descent is steep and loose underfoot, but this is limited to a relatively short section: as is the brief dalliance with shoulder height bracken (which thankfully had had time to dry out after the morning’s rain). Then, it was a lovely quiet walk back down the Greenburn Valley to Grasmere.

Dog friendly rating: 4/5. As far as Lake District fell walks go, this is a good option for dog owners. The route is stile free, and there are lots of opportunities for dogs to get in the water to cool off or have a swim. Be aware that there are sheep throughout this walk and there may be cattle in the lower fields. There is some minor scrambling, which dogs will probably find easier than humans, and a bit of road walking at the start and end.

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