Grasmere - Tarn Crag - Calf Crag - Steel Fell - Grasmere

Joe Jackson

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Grasmere is a very popular village (especially during holiday times!) and is not the place to go to to seek quietness. But please note: this is not a walk for people unsure of navigation or who only like sticking to footpaths! This is a great walk that explores around the valley of Far Easedale but keeps away from the crowds. Starting off just outside Grasmere, the route heads down Easedale (with the option to nip into the village if needed) and quickly heads up onto the open fellside via a small footpath. The first peak of the day is reached via a long, grassy ridge which is Tarn Crags' east side. The path is easy going but steep in places, which is the only difficulty. Tarn Crag is a fell not visited anywhere near as much as the nearby peaks of Helm Crag and the Langdale Pikes. The view from the summit is nothing special, but a quick detour to a lower cairn to the south offers the best possible view of Easedale Tarn seen from a bird's-eye position!

The next stretch is boggy underfoot and weaves its way to the west to meet the old boundary posts before heading north. There is a fair section here involving a contour around the fell to avoid unnecessary ascent and can be a very confusing place if the cloud is low. Following the path north to the head of Far Easedale offers lovely views down the valley and is easy enough to do. The next peak summited is Calf Crag, which really is just a notch, part of a long ridge ending at Helm Crag. The views of the upper end of Far Easedale again are excellent. The route between Calf Crag and Steel Fell is a high-level traverse over some very boggy ground, but a path circumnavigates most of the worst sections. On a clear day you can see down Thirlmere from Steel Fell all the way to the northern fells and the views of the vale of Grasmere makes the descent an enjoyable one.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - South East

Features

Food Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Mountains, Pub, Public Transport, Toilets, Waterfall, Wildlife

7/8/2014 - Robert Hughes

This is a great walk that reserves its best for last - the views from Steel Fell and the descent ridge are superb. You can also avoid the 'off path' section with a little more ascent. I did come off the path as directed between WM12 and WM13 and found it a bit un-nerving even in good weather. Keeping to the path just adds a short ascent and only 400m extra distance. Otherwise the directions are good although the following may also help. WM5: The first bridge(s) are two slate footbridges that takes you off the road, the bridge at WM6 is a much wider vehicle bridge (New bridge). WM8: The signpost reads 'Far Easedale, Borrowdale'. WM9-10: The path leaves the wall after 250m when it goes right whilst the wall goes left. WM10: This is easy to miss, especially when the bracken has grown up. The junction is just prior to the high point of the path that continues down and onwards to the Tarn. If you reach the stepping stones (as I did) you have gone too far - but the path is much easier to spot when retracing your steps! WM15: There is also another very clear path down Far Easedale at this point. The path to Calf Cragg goes half right from here leaving the line of metal posts. WM19-20: There is a second gate before you reach WM20 which you pass through to cross the wall line. Hope all this helps.