The Beacon Tarn Circular Walk is a short and sweet route in the southern portion of the Lake District that will take you up to a charming tarn with mountain views. This laidback lollipop trail climbs gently uphill through the undulating terrain in a northwestern direction, bringing you to a beautiful tarn that feels more remote than it really is. Although this route isn’t overly difficult, the mountain views from the top of the trail are spectacular, making this quick route a good option for casual and seasoned walkers alike.

Route Description for Beacon Tarn Circular Walk

Walking the Beacon Tarn Circular is a fantastic outdoor experience that produces some amazingly scenic views, making you feel as though you’ve just completed a backcountry trek, as opposed to the short walk that it is. The trail sets out from the parking area and leads you gently up the hillside to the northwest, where you will eventually arrive at the charming shores of Beacon Tarn. Here, you will enjoy majestic views in all directions, with the calm surface of the water in the forefront and rugged mountains in the backdrop. After looping around the small lake, retrace your steps downhill along the trail to return to your vehicle below.

Getting to the Beacon Tarn Circular Walk Trailhead

To reach the parking area for the Beacon Tarn Circular Walk from Ambleside, drive southwest on Rothay Road/A593 for 0.2mi and turn right to stay on the same road for another 0.1mi. Turn left here and continue on for 9.7mi, making a left onto A5084. Follow this for 3.4mi and make a slight right onto Nirthwaste, following it for 450ft before turning right onto Greenholme Farm. You will find the parking area on the right in 425ft.

Route Information

When to do:
March-November
Backcountry Campsites:
No
Pets allowed:
Yes - On Leash
Family friendly:
Yes
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Lollipop