Our annual family Lake District week was here and true to form coincided with a change in weather in this area. Talk in the run up weeks was of hot temperatures and hosepipe bans, on arrival we could see lots of lakes and tarns with very low levels of water. We had, had one previous stay in Coniston back in 2009 when it rained monsoon like for 7 days. This week wasn’t quite like that but the weather had changed from the sunshine and 20plus degree heat, to cloudy, some rain and temperatures around 16 degrees. Now this was better for walking, all we needed to do was to dodge the rain. This fell was a new one for me and the boys and its an absolute cracker, the route up is easy and gentle in gradient from Tarn Hows and the views are very good (if the weather is on your side). I’ve done Holme Fell nearby and prefer this one by a long way. A good walking start to the week.
| Start – Tarn Hows parking |
| Route – Iron Keld – Black Crag– Iron Keld – Tarn Hows |
| Distance – 3 miles Start time – 1pm Time taken – 2hrs 30mins Highest Point – Black Crag 322metres |
| Weather – Dark skies and 20 mins of rain, windy on top then sunshine to finish |
© Crown copyright 2018 Ordnance Survey FL 2018 SF
A grey looking Tarn Hows and a bit of drizzle in the air. Black Crag is the high point at the far end
Tarn Hows
Along the woodland path around the tarn
A bench at the far end. There is a stile behind me, which we hop over and head for the Iron Keld plantation
Spitting with rain again and shown by the drop on the lens. Looking back at Tarn Hows
After a walk through the trees you pop out in view of the summit. We had hidden under the trees as a squally shower passed through
Very windy on Black Crag
Esthwaite water from Black Crag, for those who know Beatrix Potter this is where Jeremy Fisher was based
Part of Windermere from the summit
A murky look towards Langdale. Lingmoor Fell on the right
By the lower cairn looking back up at the summit
Back along the lane towards Tarn Hows
Back at the gate and the weather looks to be brightening a little
Wow, the sun is out and its looks gorgeous now
The Coniston Fells across Tarn Hows
Wetherlam on the left and the Langdale Pikes in the far distance on the right as we reach the end of the walk
A far more pretty view to Black Crag across Tarn Hows than the first shot in this post
treksandtors 
Think normal weather has now resumed up North! Lovely pics. X
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A fine little outing. Now I’m back home, I’m enjoying the lower temperatures but I’m missing sunshine! Tarn Hows was in the cloud the only time I did it.
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The temp is about right now for me, happy with this, but you are right cloudy with some sunshine would make it perfect
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It has great views of Windermere and the Coniston Fells doesn’t it? We did it just after Christmas a few years back, in very windy conditions and a fierce hail shower on the top. All very memorable.
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This is now one of my favourite smaller fells, such a simple route and great views from the top
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Just back from a family holiday week in the Lakes myself and had similar conditions. But still my favourite place to be.
This looks like a good walk to start off your holiday
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It was a good opener to get the legs going a bit. Nothing too hard or steep
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