Tarn Hows Ranger Run
Enjoy this invigorating circular running trail, which starts alongside Yew Tree Tarn and joins the Cumbria Way around Tom Heights to reach the northern shore of Tarn Hows, finishing past hidden waterfalls. Look out for local Herdwick sheep and Belted Galloway cattle on the way.
Near to
Tarn Hows and ConistonStart point
Glen Mary Bridge National Trust car park, LA21 8DPTrail information
Ranger Run Series
This route has been created in collaboration with expert trail runners and adventurers Jen and Sim Benson, as part of our Ranger Run Series.
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Glen Mary Bridge National Trust car park, LA21 8DP
Stage 1
Leaving the car park, head north on a path through woodland to the right of the road. Turn left here and carefully cross the road at the southern end of Yew Tree Tarn.
Stage 2
Follow the path around to the left, traversing the western edge of the tarn and forking left at its northern end to follow the edge of the woodland back to the road. Don't cross: instead follow the path parallel to the road heading north-east and up the hill until you reach a path junction with the Cumbria Way, which at this point is a bridleway.
Stage 3
Turn sharp right onto the Cumbria Way. Carefully cross the A593 and follow the byway south through woodland.
Stage 4
At a fork the byway heads left and the Cumbria Way (now a footpath) heads right. Continue on the Cumbria Way to reach the path around the northern end of Tarn Hows.
Walkers on the path surrounding Tarn Hows | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris Stage 5
Turn left at the T-junction, leaving the Cumbria Way and following the lakeside path around the tarn to the bridge and path junction in the south-western corner.
Stage 6
Turn left towards Tom Gill car park (signposted) and follow the path downstream past some waterfalls and back to the start.
End point
Glen Mary Bridge National Trust car park, LA21 8DP
Trail map
Map of Tarn Hows trail run | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
More near here
Yewdale Valley walk
Enjoy picturesque views in the Yewdale Valley on this pleasant walk, offering enough height to provide good views of the landscape but low enough to be not too demanding.
Tom Gill to Tarn Hows walk
An exhilarating way to arrive at Tarn Hows, via a challenging but beautiful woodland climb alongside Tom Gill and its surging waterfalls.
Monk Coniston and Tarn Hows walk
Walk from the head of Coniston Water to Tarn Hows via this picturesque route passing through woodland, farmland and the Walled Garden at Monk Coniston Hall. Look out for wildlife along the way including red squirrels, otters and hares.
Tarn Hows circular walk
Take in stunning views of the Lake District fells as you follow this easy, accessible route around a tree-lined tarn, with a Tramper mobility scooter available to borrow.
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