Bowscale Tarn
Distance
3 miles, out and back
Bowscale Fell (Wainwright)
Distance
6 miles, circular
Why we love this walk
This is a fantastic walk as it has something for all ages. The walk to Bowscale Tarn is relatively steep however, the path is wide and safe. It is also only a short 1.5 miles before you reach the tarn making it a great option for those with younger children. Bowscale Tarn itself is a real hidden gem, you could stay here for hours playing by the water and enjoying a picnic.
For those with older children, who perhaps enjoy a bit of a challenge, you have the option to continue beyond Bowscale Tarn and take the steep fell path up towards the Wainwright of Bowscale Fell. This is a longer walk and the views are breathtaking.
Please note: this walk is not pram accessible; following a path through country fields, crossing streams and climbing some steep fell sections. The terrain is a mixture of grassy paths, fields, roadside walking and tarmac paths.
Parking
We used free, off road parking in the small Hamlet of Bowscale. Nearest postcode: CA11 0XH.
Bowscale Tarn
Bowscale Fell
The path heading back from Bowscale Fell summit
The Route:
For both Bowscale Tarn and Bowscale Fell we began in Bowscale, a small hamlet found between Mungrisedale and Mosedale in Cumbria. As you come through Bowscale head onto the bridleway signposted for Bowscale Tarn. Here you follow the bridleway for approximately 1.5 miles until you reach the beautiful Bowscale Tarn. The path is wide and the hill climb is nice and steady, perfect for slightly younger children. The tarn itself is a lovely hidden gem, you could spend hours here exploring with your little ones. For those who are only wanting a shorter route here is where you retrace your steps, back down the bridleway and towards the hamlet of Bowscale to your car.
If you have older children or, like me on this walk, have no children with you then you might enjoy the wainwright walk to Bowscale Fell. This circular walk is 6 miles in total and offers breathtaking views of many of the Lake District’s finest fells. Having reached Bowscale Tarn you will see a path leading towards Bowscale Fell, the path begins opposite the outflow of the tarn. This is the trickiest section of the walk, once you have managed this short, steep climb to the top you will soon see Bowscale Fell summit.
Follow our Strava map below to help guide you back round to your car from the summit.
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