Loughrigg Tarn
OS Grid ref:- NY345044
Located near to the village of Elterwater, beautiful Loughrigg Tarn lies at an altitude of 310 feet. The view of the Langdale Pikes from Loughrigg Fell, directly opposite the tarn, is superb and considered to be one of the best views of the mountains.
Loughrigg Tarn.
The surface of the tarn is carpeted with waterlilies in the summer months. The tarn was a favoured spot of the poet Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy, he described it in his little known 'Epistle to George Howland Beaumont' , written in 1811, as 'round, clear and bright as heaven'.
A walk to Loughrigg Tarn from Silverthwaite
Distance:- 2.8 miles (4.5km)
Duration:- one and a half hours
*Starting from Silverthwaite parking area, 600 yards from
Skelwith Bridge junction, a path runs alongside the garden at Silverthwaite Cottage. Climbing steeply, it offers excellent views of the Langdale Pikes.
*Continue along the north west shoulder of Little Loughrigg to reach Crag Head Cottage. Descend to the left of the cottage, bearing left to a lane. Turn left after 150 yards, leaving the lane, crossing a stile onto a signposted footpath. Continue down the field and cross another stile.
*Take the higher path which leads to a gate, turn right following the path to a gate beside a cottage. Go through the gate, at a fork in the path, bear right, passing Dilllygarth Cottage, where you will eventually arrive at a lane.
*Turn left and at the road junction right, crossing the stream near a further road junction. Bear right, continuing along the road, at the top of a rise, turn left onto a rough track (signposted to Skelwith Bridge) to Crag Head.
*Continue forward into the larch woodland of Neaum Crag, passing the edge of a park of wooden chalets. Descend to a service road, the route marked by yellow arrows. Keep right of a chalet called 'Angle Tarn.' and head for a waymarked path.
*Turn left at the path which lies between a wall and a fence, eventually entering an open field, cross the stile onto the road. Turn left and then right at the road junction and before coming into Skelwith Bridge, right again beside the River Brathay.
*Continue along the riverside path, passing Skelwith Force. until you reach a gate leading to a large field, bear right onto a wooden boardwalk leading to a stile into woodland. The path then climbs to meet the road at the Silverthwaite parking area.