Tarn Hows to Black Crag

Lake District

View from the top of the Black Crag walk — View from top of the Black Crag walk | © David Poniznik

A stunning walk taking in great views

Near to

Tarn Hows and Coniston

Start point

Tarn Hows car park near Coniston, Cumbria what 3 words rudder.blossom.culminate

Trail information

View route

Print trail

Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 4.2 (km: 6.72)

Duration2 hours 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Gentle walk, steady incline with steeper climb at the end.
**Mainly gravel path, but there are some gates and narrow paths on the fell.
***Dogs on leads welcome. For further details, please see Facilities section.

Address
Tarn Hows car park near Coniston, Cumbria what 3 words rudder.blossom.culminate
Directions via Google Maps
By bus
Take the 505 service from Hawkshead to Coniston. Alight at Hawkshead Hill Chapel and follow road signs to Tarn Hows (about 1 mile). The walk will initially be via road, with a footpath option for part of the way.
On foot
Can be accessed from Hawkshead (2.25 miles) or Coniston (2.25 miles) via road and public footpaths, see OS map for routes.
Cycling
Note that cycling is not permitted around Tarn Hows itself. From Ambleside via A593, and then B5286 towards Hawkshead. After 1 mile turn right on the road to the Drunken Duck pub. Continue on this road for 2.5 miles and look for signs for Tarn Hows. 5.5 miles total. A major part of this route is by road. From Coniston, take the cycle track from Coniston towards Hawkshead (the cycle track follows the road). After Boon Crag, follow the sign to the left for the public bridleway, which rises steeply up hill to Tarn Hows. 2.25 miles total.
By road
From Ambleside take the A593, then the B5286 towards Hawkshead, then the B5285 towards Coniston. At the village of Hawkshead Hill, follow signs to Tarn Hows. Please do not follow satnav, instead follow signs for Tarn Hows from B5285, Coniston or Hawkshead Hill.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Tarn Hows car park near Coniston, Cumbria what 3 words rudder.blossom.culminate
Stage 1
From the car park, cross the road and take the left-hand fork following the track down to the lakeside. Pass through the gate and continue on the track in a clockwise direction around the tarn.
Tarn Hows to Black Crag trail step 6 | © David Poniznik
Stage 2
Keep right, following the red Black Crag waymarked route for 0.4 miles, until you reach the sign post for Skelwith Bridge what3words grow.mural.reprints
Tarn Hows to Black Crag trail step 2 | © David Poniznik
Stage 3
At the Skelwith Bridge sign post, take the path left and keep going until you reach the kissing gate. This path can get boggy at times 0.3 miles what3words tinny.subsystem.viewer
Tarn Hows to Black Crag trail step 3 | © David Poniznik
Stage 4
At this point turn right and head up the mountain path. Parts of this are steep. Keep on this path for 0.4 miles until you see a gate marked for Iron Keld. What3words gratitude.operation.zone
Tarn Hows to Black Crag trail step 4 | © David Poniznik
Stage 5
Go through the gate (on the left) and head up the path. This is a steady incline. Follow this path for 0.3 miles until reaching another gate what3words universal.unsigned.chains
Tarn Hows to Black Crag trail step 5 | © David Poniznik
Stage 6
Once through the gate, head right onto the fell. Keep following this path for 0.4 miles where you should reach the Black Crag Cairn. The last 0.1miles is pretty steep in places. You have reached your destination. what3words trek.generally.viewer
Tarn Hows to Black Crag trail step 6 | © David Poniznik
Stage 7
Once you have reached the top you will have fantastic 360 degree view looking at the Old Man of Coniston and the Langdale Pikes. The lakes you can see are Windermere, Esthwaite and Coniston. You can also see Tarn Hows, just below Coniston Lake.
Tarn Hows to Black Crag trail Step 7 | © David Poniznik
End point
Retrace your steps down to Tarn Hows to pick up the path round the Tarn and back to the starting place.
Trail map
Black Crag Trail Map route | © Nancy Burditt
You made it
Share your experience

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.

View of walkers on the path around Tarn Hows

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.