Tarn Hows – Black Crag loop from Skelwith

Hiking trails & Routes

Tarn Hows – Black Crag loop from Skelwith

Moderate

4.6

(49)

356

hikers

Tarn Hows – Black Crag loop from Skelwith

03:21

10.8km

390m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: August 3, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

654 m

Gale Close Coppice

Forest

2.54 km

Tarn Above Hodge Close Quarry

Highlight • Lake

easy stroll

Tip by

3.21 km

Holme Fell Summit

Highlight • Viewpoint

An absolute joy to visit! In late Spring/early Summer the bluebells are out across the fellside as well as a smattering of cotton grass and it's a dreamy place to …

Tip by

3.49 km

Ivy Crag

Highlight • Viewpoint

Great 360 degree views on a clear day

Tip by

5.63 km

Tom Ghyll Waterfalls

Highlight • Waterfall

Tom Ghyll (or Gill) is a fast flowing stream with two spectacular waterfalls. There is a path along it up to Tarn Hows. Or if you leave Tarn Hows down to Glen Mary car park.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.63 km

Waterfall in Lake District National Park

Highlight • Natural Monument

5.95 km

Tarn Hows

Highlight • Lake

It's great around here, especially in autumn when it's a little quieter and the colours really pop. Super interesting fact: Beatrix Potter actually used to own the Tarns, having bought …

Tip by

6.44 km

Tarn Hows

Lake

6.75 km

Tom Heights Intake Plantation

Forest

7.06 km

Bridge and bench overlooking Tarn Hows

Highlight • Bridge

9.00 km

Black Crag

Highlight • Natural Monument

One of my favourite fells in the Lake District. At 1,060 feet (323 m), it's one of the smallest Wainwrights but the views across the Lake District from this southern …

Tip by

10.8 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.43 km

1.81 km

1.16 km

323 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

3.74 km

3.46 km

1.49 km

1.31 km

688 m

115 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (300 m)

Lowest point (100 m)

Weather

Monday 5 October

15°C

9°C

61 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 9.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 28, 2025,Holme Fell, Tom Gill waterfalls & Black Fell loop from Little Langdale #2 Wainwrights.

GPS was all over today, so ignore some of the straight lines!

October 17, 2021,Holme Fell and Black Crag Coniston

Very wet Martin but good company and a lovely walk so didn't complain 😊

May 11, 2022,6. Holme Fell & Black Fell | Southern | Moderate Lake District Family Hike

This is one of my favourite circular walks in South Lakeland. It has a bit of everything - a picturesque tarns, dramatic waterfalls, wildflower woodland, two small but mighty fells, a green slate quarry and (in my humble opinion) the most attractive looking stile and dry stone wall in the whole of the Lake District! I was excited to share …

June 15, 2025,Wainwrights | Holme Fell and Black Fell

We finally bagged Holme Fell after an embarrassing navigation mishap last year - we bagged Ivy Crag thinking it was Holme Fell, and didn't realise until it was too late! Added in Black Fell and finished off with a wander down past the waterfalls.