Black Crag (via Tarn Hows)

Difficulty: Easy

Wainwright Guide: Book Four – The Southern Fells

Black Crag is one of my absolute favourite fells and my go-to hike to introduce people to hiking in the Lake District. The route from the National Trust Car Park at Tarn Hows takes less than an hour and is one of the most gentle inclines you will find on any of the Wainwright fells. Conversely, the experienced hikers among you can make the hike a little more challenging by starting from the Glen Mary Bridge Car Park where the ascent is a tad steeper and then combining it with a hike up Holme Fell too.

Having taken both approaches to this hike multiple times I can honestly say it has yet to disappoint me. The first time Jonny and I did this hike we combined it with Holme Fell, but we have since come out to just hike the one fell. The panoramic views that encompass multiple lakes and ranges of fells are pretty impressive considering its height. I highly recommend it to both experienced hikers and beginners alike!

I do often see people doing the hike in trainers which I would not recommend myself, but it gives an indication of how achievable this particular fell is.

Where to Start?

As previously mentioned there are two places you can feasibly start the hike. The first is the National Trust Car park at Tarn Hows. If you’re a National Trust member parking is free and there’s normally an ice cream or food vender parked up so you can get yourself some refreshment. It is easily found on Google Maps, but it does get busy.

For those combining the hike with Holme Fell or simply wanting to make the entire ascent from valley level rather than starting part way up there is the Glen Mary Bridge Car Park, also a National Trust location. This guide will follow the route from here.

Tom Gill

Starting from the car park itself keep the road on your left and head over the little wooden bridge.

The path is fairly simple to follow from here, turn right and follow it alongside Tom Gill. It can be a little slippery in places but is well walked and the waterfalls are amazing. Worth taking the time to pause for a look.

At the top of the path you come out onto the Southern edge of Tarn Hows which is where your walk would be starting if you parked in the Tarn Hows National Trust Car Park.

Tarn Hows

Tarn Hows is easily one of the most popular tourist spots in the Lake District. Managed at one point in its history by Beatrix Potter, it was previously three separate tarns that were amalgamated when a dam was constructed above Tom Gill on the lower tarn. Now fully managed by the National Trust it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The circular walk around Tarn Hows is a beautiful walk in its own right but it makes a fantastic addition to the hike up Black Crag.

At the top of Tom Gill turn right and follow the path around the tarn that keeps the water on your left. There are a few gates along the route you will need to go through but the path is well maintained and accessible for all.

Keep following the path until you reach the very top end of the tarn. There is a small bench overlooking the water where you can sit and have some quick refreshments.

Then to continue up to Black Crag hop over the stile on the right, just past the bench.

Ascent

There is a well marked path from the stile that curves to the right and leads you up to a wooden gate. This is the spot I most commonly find the Belted Galloways, typically in front of the gate I need to get through. They are generally placid but always employ a bit of common sense when moving around large animals in an open space.

Once through the gate and after ensuring it is closed behind you turn right and follow the stony track along.

You will pass one wooden gate on your left fairly quickly. Continue along until you reach the second wooden gate. This will have a footpath sign and a National Trust sign next to it so you can’t miss it.

The stony track continues through the trees becoming slightly more uneven underfoot, however the incline will remain gentle.

Following the track you will eventually come to yet another wooden gate. This marks the last section of your ascent.

Once you have gone through the gate, take the path immediately to your right. This will take you up over some undulating grassy terrain. More cows and sheep can be seen here free grazing.

The summit trig point will eventually come into view. The path splits up a little here but all the options are viable routes to the top. Just choose the route that’s easiest for you!

The Summit

The summit itself is marked by its very own trig point. The view from here is amazing no matter where you look. You can easily make out Esthwaite, Coniston and Windermere. Old Man of Coniston is unmistakable, as are Holme Fell, Lingmoor Fell, Loughrigg, the Langdales, the Fairfield Horseshoe and even Hellvelyn on a clear day!

There is a rather large cairn further towards the eastern side of the fell that is well worth a visit. The views from here are also pretty spectacular.

Descent

The first part of the descent follows the route you have already taken across the grass, back along the stony track and down to the stile at the end of Tarn Hows. Having traversed the stile, instead of heading back around the water in the way you came, keep going straight with the tarn on your left. This way, by the time you get back to Tom Gill you will have completed the Tarn Hows circular route.

When you get back to Tom Gill it is well signposted. Take the descent from here carefully as the path can sometimes be slippery underfoot. It will take you back past the waterfalls and straight to the car park. From here you can either finish your walk or continue onto Holme Fell if you’re feeling really ambitious!

In conclusion, Black Crag is easily one of the best go-to walks in the Lake District for beginner hikers. It never fails to disappoint and always delivers on view, no matter the weather! I don’t think I’ll ever stop going back to it.

Have you completed Black Crag yet? Let me know below!