Warning 16 December 2024: There are storm blown trees currently blocking this route in the woodland sections. The National Trust are working to clear them as soon as they can.
The initial routThis linear path (1.5km each way) provides a real upland experience and amazing views of the Langdale Pikes (OS Explorer Map OL6). The route itself is 'for some' standard but the car park is steep and rough.
Cross the road from the car park and go through the gate opposite. The initial slope from the car park is around 1:5. The route itself is 'for some' standard, so if you can get dropped off on the roadside, you can avoid the 'challenging' car park section. Follow the good, compacted stone path towards the tarn. You are in the heart of the dramatic central Lakeland fells, with Lingmoor Fell on the right and the crags of Pike o' Blisco on the left, framing the famous Langdale Pikes. For views alone, this is a route to keep for good weather.
The path drops down to the tarn's outflow and crosses it by a wooden footbridge. Bear uphill and right, into the small woodland of larch, Scots pine and silver birch. There are benches along this section to rest and picnic.
The path leaves the woodland on a section created by the Fix the Fells programme, which winds through the open fell side back to Blea Tarn road, north of the tarn. This section becomes much rougher and rockier for most of its length, with some steep sections of 1:6 gradient, which is currently too rough for most wheeled equipment.
Please note that the map below has not yet been updated for this route, which has been re-graded as 'challenging'.
Please note that mobility scooters must be class 2 or 3 on the route.
National Trust car park
Postcode: LA22 9PG
Grid reference: NY 295043
W3W: ///clincher.coveted.snack
Grid reference: NY 289051
W3W: ///diets.faster.blows
None on route
Bus: None to the start of the route. The nearest bus stop is at the Old Dungeon Ghyll for the 516 Langdale Rambler service.
Car: B5343 through the Langdale valley. A sharp, left hand bend after the Old Dungeon Ghyll signals the start of the steep 1:4 climb up to Blea Tarn.
