Top 10 Lakes around Orton

Visitors frequently enjoy Gurnal Dubs Tarn, an artificial tarn offering superb views towards Kendal. Another favorite is Potter Tarn, a reservoir with views down into Kendal. Sunbiggin Tarn is also highly regarded for its natural beauty and status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Yes, Mardale Head is a significant historical site. It serves as a starting point for adventures in the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District. The area was once home to the hamlet of Mardale Green, which was submerged when the reservoir was created in the 1930s. In times of low water, remains of the village can still be seen.

The area around Orton's lakes offers diverse outdoor activities. You can find excellent opportunities for cycling, with routes like the 'Orton Scar Café – Pendragon Castle ruins loop'. For mountain enthusiasts, there are challenging mountain hikes such as the 'Small Water – Mardale Ill Bell loop'. Running trails are also popular, including the 'Stone Bridge in Orton – Orton Scar Lime Kiln loop'. You can explore more options in the dedicated guides for Cycling around Orton, Mountain Hikes around Orton, and Running Trails around Orton.

Yes, Potter Tarn is noted as family-friendly. While the guide data doesn't specify many other family-friendly lakes, the general area offers various easy walks suitable for families, especially around the smaller tarns and reservoirs.

Gurnal Dubs Tarn is a popular spot for wild swimming among locals, especially in summer. It even has steps for easy access. However, it's important to note that Potter Tarn is not recommended for swimming.

The lakes around Orton are characterized by their location within a region known for fells, tarns, and reservoirs, close to the Lake District National Park. Sunbiggin Tarn, for instance, is a marl lake surrounded by limestone areas, making it a Site of Special Scientific Interest with a rugged feel. The area's geology contributes to its unique natural beauty.

The Lake District area, including the lakes near Orton, is beautiful year-round. Summer offers ideal conditions for wild swimming and longer walks. However, the landscape takes on a dramatic beauty in other seasons, with autumn colors and potentially serene winter scenes. Always check local weather forecasts before your visit, especially for higher fells.

Many of the lakes offer excellent viewpoints. From Gurnal Dubs Tarn, you can enjoy superb views across nearby Kendal. Potter Tarn also provides views down into Kendal. The area around Sunbiggin Tarn offers views of the Howgill Fells, Wild Boar Fell, and the nearby escarpment leading to the limestone pavement of Great Asby Scar.

Visitors appreciate the stunning natural landscapes, the opportunities for diverse outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, and the serene beauty of the tarns and reservoirs. The historical significance of places like Mardale Head and the unique ecological features of sites like Sunbiggin Tarn are also highly valued. The komoot community has shared over 20 photos and given more than 40 upvotes, highlighting the area's appeal.

Yes, conservation is a significant aspect of the area, particularly around Haweswater. Organizations like RSPB and United Utilities work together to provide habitats for peregrine falcons, redstarts, ring ouzels, and red squirrels. Sunbiggin Tarn and its surroundings are also designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to their unique ecology.

Yes, several lakes are man-made reservoirs or artificial tarns. Gurnal Dubs Tarn is an artificial tarn, and Potter Tarn is a reservoir. Haweswater Dam is a notable man-made structure that created Haweswater, a controversial construction that flooded the Mardale valley in 1929 to supply water to north-west England.