LAKE DISTRICT / WATERFALL WALK / MOUNTAIN TARN
Easedale Tarn Walk from Grasmere via Sour Milk Gill
The Easedale Tarn walk from Grasmere packs a surprising amount into almost eight miles. It crosses open farmland, climbs beside the tumbling waterfalls of Sour Milk Gill and reaches a peaceful mountain tarn surrounded by some of the Lake District’s finest scenery. The circular return follows the quieter side of the valley before joining Far Easedale Gill and heading back towards Grasmere. Finish with a wander around the village, a café stop or a piece of its famous gingerbread.
At a glance
Why this walking route is worth doing
The opening miles of this walk are surprisingly gentle, following quiet lanes and tracks from Grasmere into the beautiful Far Easedale valley.
That changes beyond Stythwaite Steps. The route climbs steeply towards Tarn Crag, including grassy sections where the path becomes faint or disappears altogether.
Once on the higher ground, you’re rewarded with views across the Central Fells before reaching the 550-metre summit of Tarn Crag. The return route passes a viewpoint above Easedale Tarn before descending to the water and following Sour Milk Gill back towards Grasmere.
This is a proper fell walk rather than a gentle Easedale Tarn stroll. Good footwear, suitable clothing and confident navigation are essential.
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.
Mapped and ready
See the real route before you set off
Open the interactive map before setting off and save an offline map for the walk.
GRASMERE / THE VALLEY APPROACH
Walk out through the quieter side of Grasmere
The route begins gently through the village and Far Easedale before the serious climb towards Tarn Crag.
Step-by-step directions
Follow the route
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 can remain grassy and indistinct, so keep checking your route rather than following an unverified path downhill.
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.
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.
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.
BACK IN GRASMERE
Make time for the village
Once the circuit is complete, Grasmere has cafés, pubs and its famous gingerbread within an easy walk of the finish.
Bookable experiences
Activities that fit this guide
Ideas for another day or a longer break. Allow a separate day for these tours; do not plan them after this walk.
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Useful overnight bases
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Grasmere
Grasmere, Cumbria, United Kingdom
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Before you go
Practical information
Terrain and Navigation
The route includes village lanes, farm tracks, bridleways, rocky paths, steep grass and partly pathless open fell. The section between Stythwaite Steps and Tarn Crag is the most difficult to navigate.
Carry an OS map and compass and download the route for offline use. Do not rely on mobile reception or this written description alone.
Weather and Safety
Avoid the walk during strong winds, thunderstorms, heavy rain or poor visibility. The steep grassy ascent becomes extremely slippery when wet, while cloud can make the route difficult to follow.
Wear proper walking boots and carry waterproof clothing, warm layers, food, water, a charged phone, a power bank and a headtorch. Allow enough daylight to complete the route without rushing.
Dogs and Families
The route is suitable only for fit dogs accustomed to steep and rocky fell walks. Keep dogs on leads around sheep and other livestock.
This is not recommended for young children. Confident teenagers with previous hill-walking experience may enjoy it when accompanied by experienced adults in good weather.
Parking and Facilities
Broadgate Meadow Car Park is a pay-and-display car park on the northern edge of Grasmere. Stock Lane provides alternative parking and has public toilets. Check the current Lake District National Park parking information before travelling.
There are cafés, pubs, shops and public toilets in Grasmere. There are no dependable facilities once you leave the village.
Public Transport
Grasmere is served by regular bus services from Ambleside, Windermere and Keswick. Check the latest timetable before travelling.
Responsible Walking
- Follow the Countryside Code.
- Keep dogs under control around livestock.
- Close gates behind you.
- Take all litter home.
- Do not light fires or disposable barbecues.
- Avoid damaging walls, fences or soft ground.
Parking
Broadgate Meadow Car Park, Grasmere, LA22 9TA
Tickets and booking
No walking ticket is required. Broadgate Meadow and Stock Lane are pay-and-display car parks; check current parking information before travelling.
Seasonal considerations
Avoid the high route in strong winds, thunderstorms, heavy rain, snow, ice or poor visibility. Allow enough daylight and turn back if conditions deteriorate.
Toilets and refreshments
Public toilets and plenty of cafés, pubs and shops are available in Grasmere. Carry sufficient food and water for the full fell circuit.
Terrain
Village lanes, farm tracks, bridleways, rocky paths, steep grass and partly pathless open fell.
Accessibility
This is a challenging fell walk with steep, rough and partly pathless sections. It is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs and is not recommended as a first fell walk.
Facilities
Cafés, pubs, shops and public toilets are available in Grasmere; there are no dependable facilities once you leave the village.
Dogs
Suitable only for fit dogs used to steep and rocky fell walks. Keep dogs on leads around sheep and other livestock.
Public transport
Grasmere is served by regular buses from Ambleside, Windermere and Keswick. Check the latest timetable before travelling.
Road conditions, tolls or permits
Grasmere and its car parks can be very busy. Arrive early, park only in marked spaces and do not obstruct narrow local roads.
Safety
Carry an OS map and compass and save the route for offline use. Wear walking boots and bring waterproofs, warm layers, food, water, a charged phone, power bank and headtorch. Do not rely on mobile reception or this guide alone.
Important cautions
The ascent from Stythwaite Steps is steep and can be difficult to identify. Wet grass and the rocky Sour Milk Gill descent can be slippery, while cloud can make navigation difficult.
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Useful answers
Easedale Tarn Walk from Grasmere via Sour Milk Gill FAQs
How long is the Tarn Crag walk from Grasmere?
This mapped circular route is 12.81 km or 7.96 miles. Allow approximately 4½–5½ hours, depending on walking speed, weather, navigation and rest stops.
How difficult is the Tarn Crag circular walk?
The route is challenging. It includes a steep grassy ascent where the path becomes faint or indistinct, followed by uneven and rocky fell terrain.
Is this the shorter Easedale Tarn walk?
No. The shorter Easedale Tarn walk avoids the summit. This 12.81 km route climbs Tarn Crag through Far Easedale before descending to Easedale Tarn and Sour Milk Gill.
Can beginners walk Tarn Crag from Grasmere?
This is not a suitable first fell walk. Beginners should only attempt it with an experienced walker, appropriate equipment, an offline route map and good weather.
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