Little Langdale Walks: Blea Tarn loop via Castle Howe

Blea Tarn, with its majestic backdrop of the Langdale Pikes, is one of the most visited tarns in the Lake District.

Aside from its obvious natural beauty, plus the fact it’s a great spot for a refreshing swim in the summer, Blea Tarn is also one of the most easily accessible tarns, with parking right by the shore.

However, for those who like a walk, a circuit of Little Langdale taking in Blea Tarn en route makes for a great afternoon wander. This loop follows good paths and roads, but with the occasional steep section.

From The Three Shires Inn to Fell Foot Farm

From the Three Shires Inn turn right and walk a short distance to the tarmac lane leading left, downhill, where the old fashioned black and white road sign points towards Tilberthwaite. Head down the lane until you reach a small set of steps and wooden gate on the right, with a signpost pointing across a field to Slater Bridge. Go uphill through the field to another kissing gate and then down a well-trodden path to the beautifully crooked and ancient bridge across the beck.

On the other side of the bridge follow a path to a track below a wall of slate slag and turn right. Follow the track to where it turns quite steeply uphill passing the white Low Hall Garth mountaineering hut. This track begins as tarmac but soon becomes quite rough as it turns right and contours along the hillside.

You will pass a junction where a path leads uphill (signposted to Tilberthwaite). Ignore this and continue on the track (signposted to Fell Foot). Where the path forks go downhill to the right on gravel and then follow the track across a field to the road.

From Fell Foot Farm to Blea Tarn

After the path emerges onto the road follow the tarmac past Fell Foot Farm.

For those interested in archaeology the road passes the ancient monument of the Ting Mound, believed to have been used as a meeting place by Viking settlers. It then turns left below the craggy flanks of Castle Howe, a promontory of rock overlooking the farm.

Stay on the road until you see a path and footpath sign on the right. Here a well-trodden path leads into the boggy valley of Blea Moss. The path avoids the swampy bottom of the valley and follows a wall and then Bleamoss Beck, passing attractive little waterfalls on the way.

The track climbs steadily towards trees before passing through a gate and emerging at a wooden footbridge and ford by the side of Blea Tarn.

From Blea Tarn to the Three Shires Inn

Cross the wooden bridge and follow the wide path along the side of Blea Tarn. No matter how many times you come here, it always seems to look different. Take the time to admire the view, have a picnic or take a swim or photo. It really is a lovely spot to be.

Once you’ve feasted your eyes on the tarn, keep on following the track to the road and turn right. Go over a cattle grid and follow the road downhill. As you approach the bottom of the hill you will see a wide, grassy path on the left with a single wooden barrier across it. Follow this path, which undulates over rock and tussock and then continues with a wall on the right hand side.

The path drops up and down quite steeply below the flanks of Busk Pike, overlooking the occasional cottage on the right. Eventually it meets a wall and then continues down to a gate and fence by a gravel track. Turn right on this track and walk past Dale End Farm.

The gravel turns to tarmac at the farm. Continue following this to the main road and turn left to walk down the road back to the Three Shires Inn.