From Grasmere to Stickle Tarn via Easdale and Coledale Tarns and the return…?
“It’s not about the summit but the journey”. A phrase I’ve often heard uttered by those armchair warriors that have never In fact made it to a summit! However, Easedale Tarn proves that you do not have to get to the top to enjoy true Lakeland. Slap bang in the Centre of the Lakes the tarn is quiet and usually pretty peaceful, Certainly in comparison, with the relative chaos encountered in Grasmere! Easedale Tarn is set in a deep valley, scarred by a retreating glacier roughly 20,000 years ago and has left an excellent selection glacial erratics scattered like picnic tables right around the Tarn.
Start the walk in Grasmere, and follow the Easedale Road, heading northwest out of the village. At the sharp right hand bend in the road just after Goody Bridge take the Left hand path over the twee Slate bridge crossing the Easdale beck. Head towards Brimmer Head Farm, this eventually takes you to Sourmilk Gill, which is a belting sight when there is plenty of water in it! And up we go!
So LUNCHTIME!
Then a quick scoot from the end of Eadale tarn round the corner to Coledale tarn
Now for the hard bit!
Up the Steep trail between Belles Knott and Eagle Crag and up to the Pile of Stones…
After which it’s just a half Hour meander on some pretty boggy and indistinct pathways to Stickle Tarn, which on this occasion had managed to cloud in… S.N.A.F.U!
Turn around and go back until you reach Grasmere again or drop down into Langdale for a few swifties in the Dungeon Ghyll Pub!
Erm, guess which I did?
If you do decide to go back please make sure you don’t wake the Dragon!
Enjoy!
Cheers Jules...