Tarn Hows is a distinctive region within the Lake District National Park, characterized by its picturesque man-made tarn set amidst gently wooded hills. The landscape features a blend of accessible, well-maintained paths and more rugged routes that extend into the surrounding fells, offering varied terrain for outdoor pursuits. This area provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, gravel biking, and more.
Tarn Hows offers numerous routes for outdoor enthusiasts, catering to…
127
Routes
4.7
(707)
Average rating
6442
People visited

4.7
(46)
518
hikers
3.19km
00:51
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(33)
85
hikers
4.49km
01:15
80m
80m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(73)
359
hikers
7.37km
02:11
200m
200m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(40)
229
hikers
11.5km
03:13
220m
220m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(4)
137
riders
71.4km
04:03
1,170m
1,170m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
74
riders
32.2km
01:59
580m
580m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.7
(3)
70
riders
33.9km
01:58
420m
420m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3.0
(1)
61
riders
25.5km
01:25
450m
450m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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7
runners
3.01km
00:19
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
runners
4.09km
00:30
80m
80m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
387
runners
37.0km
04:34
1,040m
1,050m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.

3.0
(1)
27
runners
11.7km
01:28
410m
410m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Some sure footedness required.
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4.9
(7)
82
riders
39.8km
02:55
750m
750m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(7)
39
riders
36.0km
02:17
530m
530m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
24
riders
20.1km
01:28
380m
380m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
58
riders
51.9km
03:37
950m
950m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
37
riders
55.3km
04:25
1,050m
1,050m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(6)
23
riders
22.4km
02:04
550m
550m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.3
(3)
30
riders
15.9km
01:23
290m
290m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.

10
riders
16.6km
01:25
380m
380m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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64
riders
26.2km
02:20
490m
490m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
35
riders
23.9km
01:47
390m
390m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

36
riders
13.3km
01:15
240m
240m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

17
riders
13.5km
01:04
220m
210m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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5.0
(1)
6
hikers
10.5km
04:18
700m
700m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

3.0
(1)
8
hikers
6.10km
02:56
610m
610m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

7
hikers
12.3km
05:06
740m
740m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4
hikers
11.2km
03:43
500m
500m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Tarn Hows is a man-made tarn located in the Lake District National Park, managed by the National Trust. It is known for its picturesque landscape, created in the 19th century by joining three smaller tarns and extensive tree planting. The area offers panoramic views of prominent Lake District fells.
Tarn Hows offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Jogging, Road cycling, and Gravel biking. The region provides routes suitable for different skill levels, from accessible paths to more challenging trails. More than 729,000 visitors have explored the area on komoot.
The most popular hiking trail is the circular walk around the tarn, which is approximately 1.5 to 1.75 miles (2.4 to 2.8 km) long. This path features firm, well-maintained gravel surfaces and gentle gradients. More challenging routes extend to areas like Black Fell, offering elevated perspectives. Find more options in the Hiking around Tarn Hows guide.
Yes, the main circular walk around Tarn Hows is considered easy and family-friendly, suitable for all abilities due to its well-maintained paths. Mobility scooters (Trampers) are available for hire to enhance accessibility. Explore options in the Family-friendly hikes around Tarn Hows guide.
Tarn Hows offers dog-friendly routes, making it a suitable destination for visitors with pets. Dogs are generally welcome on the trails, but owners should ensure they are kept under control. Specific guidance can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes around Tarn Hows guide.
While direct cycling around the tarn's main path is restricted, the minor roads leading to and from Tarn Hows are popular for road cycling. These routes often feature steady climbs and descents with scenic views. Discover suitable routes in the Traffic-free bike rides around Tarn Hows guide.
Tarn Hows and its environs provide terrain suitable for gravel biking. Routes often combine forest tracks, bridleways, and minor roads, connecting to areas like Grizedale Forest. These offer a diverse experience, from smooth gravel to more technical sections. Refer to the Gravel biking around Tarn Hows guide for more information.
Tarn Hows features the picturesque man-made tarn itself, offering reflections of surrounding fells like the Langdale Pikes and Coniston Old Man. The Tom Gill waterfalls, with water cascading over several small falls, are another notable natural attraction. Wildlife such as Herdwick sheep and Belted Galloway cattle can often be seen grazing.
The main circular walk around Tarn Hows is approximately 1.5 to 1.75 miles (2.4 to 2.8 km) in length. This well-maintained path is generally flat and suitable for a leisurely stroll. The duration of the walk varies depending on pace, but it can typically be completed within an hour.
Tarn Hows can be accessed by public transport, with bus services connecting to nearby areas. Visitors can plan routes that start or end near bus stations for convenient access. Consult the Hikes from bus stations around Tarn Hows guide for specific routes.
Tarn Hows is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 729,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The region maintains an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 78,000 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Komoot offers various guides for Tarn Hows, including Hiking around Tarn Hows, Family-friendly hikes, and Gravel biking around Tarn Hows. There are also guides for running, dog-friendly routes, and traffic-free bike rides. These resources provide detailed information and route suggestions for different activities.
For more information, the official website for Tarn Hows is provided by the National Trust at nationaltrust.org.uk/tarn-hows-and-coniston. For general enquiries, the National Trust can be reached at +44 344 800 1895. For specific bookings, such as mobility scooters (Trampers), a dedicated number is 07919 111620.

