Traveller's Guide to the South and Central Lakes

48 3 Carefully cross the A593 to the lane on the other side that climbs south. Follow the lane uphill which eases after a short while. Past the gate for High Arnside Tarn the track climbs slightly to a bend from which a path splits off right. This is the path to Tarn Hows; join it and follow it south to the side of the tarn. 4 Join the access track around the tarn and follow it as it loops around the eastern side. On the south side it climbs slightly to join a road. Follow the road a short distance west to the car park. Turn into the car park and join the permissive path at the bottom end that heads south through the trees. Follow this path south for 600m to a hairpin bend where it crosses a gill and joins a track on the other side. Join the track and follow it south west down the wooded gill. A steep section follows above a beck and then the gradient eases as you arrive at a road. 5 Join the Coniston to Hawkshead Road (B5285) for a short section and then join the cycle path on the right-hand side. This is followed south west around the top of the lake to Coniston village. Yewdale Fell Coniston CONISTON WATER TARN HOWS 1 4 5 Monk Coniston Oxen High Fell Cross A593 2 3 Coniston Yewdale and Tarn Hows Walk Yewdale, Arnside Intake, Tarn Hows and Monk Coniston make up an intricate network of small valleys on the north side of Coniston. The area is widely regarded as having some of the most romantic scenery in the Lake District. The route outlined follows well-defined paths and tracks, and most junctions are obvious which makes it an ideal walk for those new to the Lake District or to fell walking. However there are places where you will need a map and compass to cross check route alignment. OS Explorer OL6 map is available from most local shops. Start: Coniston (SD 303975) Distance: 8 miles (12.8km) Time: 4-5 hours Height gain: 320m Terrain: Valley roads, cycle path, lanes, stony bridleways, woodland tracks and paths 1 From Coniston head out of the village on the A593 towards Ambleside until you come to a YHA sign by a field with an iron fence. Turn left into the lane leading towards the YHA then join the start of the Yewdale bridleway (cycle track). Follow the bridleway north west as it works its way up the valley, roughly following the course of the A593. 2 Cross the Hodge Close road by Shepherd’s Bridge and on the other side join the footpath that heads east around the top of High Yewdale Farm to the trees above Yewdale House. At the trees the path turns north: continue along it as it climbs a small hill then drops over the other side to Harry Guards Woods. The path then skirts the side of Yew Tree Tarn and then heads north east to the side of the A593. Follow the path alongside the A593 to the junction at Oxen Fell High Close.