Top 5 Lakes around Kirkby Stephen
Best lakes around Kirkby Stephen offers access to several tarns and ponds that provide serene natural beauty. This area, while not directly home to large, well-known lakes, features smaller bodies of water that are significant for their ecological value and peaceful settings. The landscape includes limestone areas and fells, contributing to diverse natural features. Kirkby Stephen serves as a base for exploring these local water features.
Best lakes around Kirkby Stephen
- The most popular lakes is Sunbiggin Tarn, a natural monument that is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its surrounding limestone areas. This marl lake features an abundance of ferns, offering a rugged and beautiful setting.
- Another must-see spot is Paradise Tarn, a lake with an island. Paths allow visitors to appreciate it from different angles.
- Visitors also love Birkdale Tarn, a large tarn situated above Birk Dale. It is one of the largest bodies of water in the Dales, excluding reservoirs, and offers a peaceful setting.
- Kirkby Stephen is known for its tarns, ponds, and marl lakes. These bodies of water provide diverse natural settings for exploration.
- The lakes around Kirkby Stephen are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 10 upvotes and several photos shared.
Last updated: June 30, 2026
Sunbiggin Tarn
Highlight • Natural Monument
Tip by
Paradise Tarn
Highlight • Lake
Tip by
Sign up now to discover places like this
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Sign up for free
Road Past Sunbiggin Tarn with Views of the Howgills
Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint
Tip by
Birkdale Tarn
Highlight • Viewpoint
This is a pleasant place to stop at, slightly tucked away from it all. A small measure of peace.
Tip by
Tilekiln Pond
Highlight • Lake
Some maps have the name of the pond as Tileklin, but given the number of kilns in the Dales, somehow I think Tilekiln is the correct one.
Tip by
Start today with a free account
Your next adventure awaits.
Login or Signup
Popular around Kirkby Stephen
Hiking Lady Anne's Way — A marriage of exquisite scenery and ancient history
Great North Trail — From the Pennine Hills to the tip of Scotland
Wainwright's Coast to Coast — Hike the width of England in 13 stages
Hiking around Kirkby Stephen
Road Cycling Routes around Kirkby Stephen
Cycling around Kirkby Stephen
MTB Trails around Kirkby Stephen
Running Trails around Kirkby Stephen
Other adventures around Kirkby Stephen
Tips from the Community
This is quite a large tarn above Birk Dale, and near a road, but for some reason apparently not visited so often. For a third-largest body of water in the Dales (excluding reservoirs), this is surprising. This is a pleasant place to stop at, slightly tucked away from it all. A small measure of peace.
1
0
On OS Maps, this tarn is actually unnamed but a place next to it is called Paradise, hence the name "Paradise tarn". It's a lovely little tarn, with an island of sorts in the middle; quite picturesque, and the paths go very usefully around it, so you will be able to appreciate it from different angles.
1
0
This tarn and, in fact, the surrounding area, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): this is largely because of the limestone areas that surround it. The tarn is a marl lake, with lots of ferns around it. A beautiful place with a rugged feel to the area.
1
0
This is a nice little pond near Lookingflatt Farm, surrounded by green fields and pastures (far greener and less brown in the summer). It's just a pleasant little body of water, which seems to have been left to its own devices a bit, rather than being overly managed, which is always nice. Some maps have the name of the pond as Tileklin, but given the number of kilns in the Dales, somehow I think Tilekiln is the correct one.
1
0
This section of road runs between approx 250m and 320m altitude through amazing limestone landscapes and past Sunbiggin Tarn, an SSSI. Excellent views south to the Howgills. Snow poles on the exposed sections so could be cold and icy in the winter months. Orton Scar cafe is a great place to refuel and is very cycle friendly.
0
0
A dramatic objective, which makes for a marvellously secluded lunch spot. As you unwind by the serene waters, drink in the views of the Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell and the nearby escarpment that leads to limestone pavement of Great Asby Scar.
0
0
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of natural features can I expect to see around the lakes near Kirkby Stephen?
The area around Kirkby Stephen features charming tarns and ponds, often characterized by limestone landscapes and fells. For instance, Sunbiggin Tarn is a marl lake surrounded by abundant ferns, set within a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its limestone areas.
Are there any particularly scenic viewpoints overlooking the lakes?
Yes, you can find scenic viewpoints. For example, the Road Past Sunbiggin Tarn with Views of the Howgills offers excellent views south to the Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell, and the escarpment leading to the limestone pavement of Great Asby Scar.
What makes Sunbiggin Tarn a significant natural site?
Sunbiggin Tarn is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) primarily because of its surrounding limestone areas. It is a marl lake, distinguished by a rich presence of ferns, contributing to its rugged and beautiful setting.
Are there family-friendly walks around the lakes near Kirkby Stephen?
Yes, some of the tarns offer family-friendly experiences. Paradise Tarn is noted as family-friendly, with paths that allow visitors to appreciate it from various angles. Tilekiln Pond is also considered family-friendly, offering a pleasant, unmanaged body of water surrounded by green fields.
What are the walking routes like around the tarns near Kirkby Stephen?
Walking routes around the tarns vary. For example, paths around Paradise Tarn allow for appreciation from different angles. For more general hiking, you can explore various routes around Kirkby Stephen, ranging from easy to moderate, such as the 'Dog Stone – Scenic Grassy Path loop' or the 'Waitby Intake and Wharton Hall loop'. You can find more details on these routes in the Hiking around Kirkby Stephen guide.
Are there opportunities for cycling near the lakes?
Yes, there are several cycling opportunities. The Road Past Sunbiggin Tarn is part of a cycle-friendly area. You can find various cycling routes around Kirkby Stephen, including difficult touring bicycle routes like the 'Pennine View Park – Water Cut Sculpture loop' or road cycling routes such as the 'Etape du dales north loop'. More information is available in the Cycling around Kirkby Stephen guide and the Road Cycling Routes around Kirkby Stephen guide.
When is the best time to visit the lakes near Kirkby Stephen?
The lakes and tarns near Kirkby Stephen can be visited year-round. The surrounding fields of Tilekiln Pond are particularly vibrant in the summer. However, if you plan to visit exposed sections like the Road Past Sunbiggin Tarn, be aware that snow poles indicate it could be cold and icy in the winter months.
Are there cafes or places to eat near the lakes?
While directly at the tarns, options are limited, the Orton Scar cafe is mentioned as a great place to refuel and is very cycle friendly, located near the Road Past Sunbiggin Tarn.
What do visitors particularly enjoy about Paradise Tarn?
Visitors enjoy Paradise Tarn for its picturesque quality, featuring a small island. Paths conveniently circle the tarn, allowing visitors to appreciate its beauty from various angles.
What is unique about Birkdale Tarn?
Birkdale Tarn is notable for being quite a large tarn situated above Birk Dale. Despite its size and proximity to a road, it is reportedly not frequently visited, offering a peaceful and somewhat secluded spot. It holds the distinction of being one of the largest bodies of water in the Dales, excluding reservoirs.
Are the lakes near Kirkby Stephen suitable for dog walking?
While specific dog-friendly designations for each tarn are not provided, the general area around Kirkby Stephen offers numerous walking routes that are suitable for dogs. It's always advisable to keep dogs under control, especially near livestock or SSSI areas like Sunbiggin Tarn.
Most popular routes around Kirkby Stephen
Most popular attractions around Kirkby Stephen
Get inspired with the komoot mobile app
Explore more
Still not found your perfect lake around Kirkby Stephen? Check out the guides of these regions to see even more beautiful places.
