Easedale Tarn Walk from Grasmere via Sour Milk Gill

Route overview

The Tarn Crag Circular Walk

Route: Grasmere → Easedale Road → Far Easedale → Stythwaite Steps → Tarn Crag → Easedale Tarn → Sour Milk Gill → Grasmere

The walk begins with an easy approach through Far Easedale before tackling the steep eastern side of Tarn Crag. After visiting the summit and the viewpoint above Easedale Tarn, the route descends to the tarn and returns alongside Sour Milk Gill.

The most difficult section is the climb between Stythwaite Steps and the summit. Parts of this ascent cross steep grass where the route can be difficult to identify, particularly in cloud or poor visibility.

---

Follow the route

1. Broadgate Meadow and Grasmere

Begin at Broadgate Meadow Car Park and walk towards the centre of Grasmere. Turn towards Easedale Road and follow the lane away from the village.

Make sure your downloaded route map or GPX is working before leaving Grasmere. Mobile reception can become unreliable further into the valley.

2. Easedale Road

Continue along Easedale Road, crossing the river near Goody Bridge and following the lane towards Easedale.

Pass the more direct path towards Easedale Tarn and remain on the route leading deeper into Far Easedale.

3. Far Easedale

Follow the bridleway through the open valley beside Far Easedale Gill. Helm Crag rises on the northern side of the valley, with Tarn Crag ahead and to the south.

This is the easiest section of the walk. Continue through the gates and follow the mapped route towards Stythwaite Steps.

4. Stythwaite Steps

Reach the footbridge at Stythwaite Steps. The main bridleway continues towards Greenup Edge, but this route leaves it and begins climbing towards the eastern side of Tarn Crag.

This is an important navigation point. Check your map carefully before leaving the main valley route.

5. The steep climb onto Tarn Crag

Follow the mapped line towards the eastern ridge of Tarn Crag. The route becomes much steeper, and the path can be faint or completely indistinct across the grassy fell.

This section gains approximately 300 metres of height over steep ground. Take your time and check your position regularly. Wet grass can be extremely slippery, and the route is difficult to follow in mist.

6. Tarn Crag summit

Once the steep ascent is complete, follow the easier upper ground towards the summit of Tarn Crag.

The summit stands at approximately 550 metres and is marked by a small cairn. On a clear day, there are views towards Helm Crag, the Langdale Pikes, Fairfield, Blea Rigg and the surrounding Central Fells.

7. Easedale Tarn viewpoint

Follow your mapped route from the summit towards the viewpoint above Easedale Tarn. The tarn cannot be seen clearly from the true summit, but the nearby viewpoint provides a much better view into the corrie.

The ground around the summit and viewpoint can remain grassy and indistinct. Keep checking your route rather than following an unverified path downhill.

8. Easedale Tarn

Follow the mapped descent towards Easedale Tarn. Take care on the wet grass and rocky sections, particularly after rain.

Once beside the tarn, join the established path leading towards its eastern outlet and Sour Milk Gill.

9. Sour Milk Gill

Descend on the rocky path beside Sour Milk Gill. The waterfalls are particularly impressive after rain, but the stone path can become slippery.

Keep away from the edges around the waterfalls and take care when stopping for photographs.

10. Return to Grasmere

At the bottom of the descent, follow the path through the Easedale meadows and rejoin Easedale Road.

Follow the lane back into Grasmere and return to Broadgate Meadow Car Park to complete the 12.81 km circular walk.