Above Grasmere, near Ambleside, Lake District, Cumbria
Easedale Tarn
Lake
Place photograph
8.2
Wildland
Half day
Time
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Cost
Dramatic
Feel
Why it's Wildland
8.2A mountain tarn in a glacial corrie, reached by a rising walk beside the cascades of Sourmilk Gill. In Victorian times, the excursion was popular enough for a local man, Robert Hayton, to sell refreshments from a small hut above the tarn’s outlet.
Easedale Tarn earns its place through the combination of a mountain setting, a rewarding approach beside Sourmilk Gill’s cascades and a long history as a walking destination. It is more than a waterside viewpoint: the walk from Grasmere is part of the experience.
Dramatic · Wild
Find your way
Open mapAbove Grasmere, near Ambleside, Lake District, Cumbria
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Walk up from Grasmere beside Easdale Beck and Sourmilk Gill to the tarn. The cascades make the ascent part of the visit; allow for a mountain route and changeable conditions.
Things to do
Walk beside Sourmilk Gill
Follow the approach from Grasmere alongside the beck and cascades towards the tarn.
Part of the 2.5–3-hour route
Reach the corrie tarn
Continue uphill to the mountain lake, reported at roughly 280 metres above sea level and framed by Tarn Crag to the north and Blea Rigg to the south.
Part of the 2.5–3-hour route
Extend the return via Allan Bank
The AllTrails route describes a loop detour to Allan Bank, the historic home of William Wordsworth. Check current visitor access before planning this stop.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Allow around 2.5–3 hours for the Grasmere route described by AllTrails.
Quick Escape: Sourmilk Gill to the tarn
- 01
Start from Grasmere and follow the route beside Easdale Beck and Sourmilk Gill.
- 02
Continue uphill to Easedale Tarn, taking in the cascades on the way.
- 03
Return by the same path; the supplied route source also describes a longer loop option.
Half day · About 2.5–3 hours walking, plus any time spent at Allan Bank; check visitor arrangements before visiting.
Make a Half Day of It: Tarn and Allan Bank loop
- 01
Walk from Grasmere up Easdale Beck to Easedale Tarn.
- 02
Return on the described loop detour to Allan Bank, identified by the route source as William Wordsworth’s historic home.
- 03
Allow extra time for the return and check current access information for Allan Bank.
Verified history
The tarn was already a noted excursion in Victorian times. The supplied route account says local man Robert Hayton sold refreshments from a small hut above its outlet. The route is also described as passing Allan Bank, identified as William Wordsworth’s historic home.
Hidden details
A Victorian refreshment stop — A small hut once stood above the tarn’s outlet, where Robert Hayton sold refreshments to visitors making the climb.
The tarn’s glacial setting — The tarn occupies a glacial corrie between Tarn Crag and Blea Rigg; its outflow runs east through Sourmilk Gill.
When to go
· Not established by the supplied sources; check the forecast and conditions before setting out.
The supplied sources do not provide reliable seasonal advice.
Lake District weather can change quickly. One supplied account describes high precipitation, fast-flowing rivers and challenging walking conditions; the route source notes loose, muddy sections and recommends waterproof footwear.
The route
- ascent
- 793 ft (as listed by AllTrails)
- surface
- Loose and muddy in places; waterproof footwear recommended.
- distance
- 5.6 mi loop (as listed by AllTrails)
- duration
- 2.5–3 hours (as listed by AllTrails)
- difficulty
- Moderate (as listed by AllTrails)
- route shape
- Loop
- start point
- Grasmere
- shorter alternative
- Walk from Grasmere to the tarn and return by the same route; the supplied sources do not give a separate distance or duration for this option.
- Sourmilk Gill cascades
- Easedale Tarn in its glacial corrie
- Allan Bank detour on the described return
Worth pairing with
Allan Bank
The described return loop passes Allan Bank, identified as William Wordsworth’s historic home. Check current visitor access before making it part of the day.
What to look for
Look for the cascades of Sourmilk Gill along the approach and notice the tarn’s corrie setting between Tarn Crag and Blea Rigg.
The story
Victorian walking and tourism
Best time to go
Check conditions before visiting; the sources do not establish a best season.
No specific time of day is established by the supplied sources. Check the forecast and path conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
Half day
Perfect for
Walkers · Photographers
Before you go
Address
Google rating
Practical information
Opening & access
A popular walking destination reached on foot from Grasmere. The supplied sources describe a route beside Sourmilk Gill; check current access and conditions before setting out.
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Parking
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Toilets
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Food & drink
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Dogs
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Accessibility
The described approach is a fell walk; the path may be loose and muddy. Accessibility details are not established.
Cost
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Check before visiting
Water
Lake
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Easedale Tarn
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
