The stunning Blea Tarn from above by drone. How amazing is this place? If you have never been – you have to go!

BLEA TARN – a must visit lake district beauty spot!

Blea Tarn, nestled in the picturesque Lake District National Park in Cumbria, England, is a tranquil, small mountain tarn offering breathtaking natural beauty. Located between the Langdale Valley and Little Langdale, the tarn is surrounded by rugged peaks, including the iconic Langdale Pikes, creating a stunning backdrop for visitors. Its still waters often reflect the surrounding hills and sky, providing an almost mirror-like quality that photographers and nature enthusiasts love. Blea Tarn is accessible via a scenic drive up a narrow, winding road, or by foot along well-marked trails, making it a popular destination for walkers and sightseers alike.

The area around Blea Tarn is rich in biodiversity, with its shoreline and nearby woodlands teeming with wildlife, including herons, deer, and a variety of songbirds.

Managed by the National Trust, the site offers facilities like a small car park and easy walking paths, making it an ideal spot for families and casual hikers. The tarn’s peaceful atmosphere also draws those seeking solitude or inspiration, evoking the romantic spirit of the Lake District that has captivated poets like Wordsworth. Whether visited on a misty morning or under a clear evening sky, Blea Tarn remains a timeless gem in this beloved region of England.

Blea Tarn is accessible by road if you are a skilled driver and not affraid of steep narrow lanes that are often a car width wide. This is great if you are pushed for time or have mobility issues. Personally I think it’s better if reaching these beauty spots requires a bit of effort, as the views seem more rewarding. Below are 2 walking routes I recommend, with Blea Tarn route 1 being easier and quicker than route 2. However route 2 does give a more variety of views! I hope this helps you plan a trip to the area and discover Blea Tarns beauty for yourself!

BLEA TARN WALK – ROUTE #1 EASY LOOP

This route starts from the National Trust car park at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, heads towards and through Langdale Campsite (another potential startig spot) and then heads steeply up hill until you get to the base of Side Pike. You’ll get soem crackin vies of the Langdale Pikes on this ascent. It then flattens out and you’ll do a lopp of Blea Tarn in an anti-clockwise manner, heading initially through the small pine forest then onto the southern shore of Blea Tarn. It’s here you’ll encounter the much photographed view looking over Blea Tarn with the Langdale Pikes in the distance. Allow yourslf plenty of time to asdmire the views. You’ll then walk on teh minor road to the east of Blea Tarn and eventually retrace your steps down to the starting point.

BLEA TARN WALK – ROUTE #2 VIA LINGMOOR FELL & SIDE PIKE

This route again starts at the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel and follows the path as Route 1 above. But once you’ve admire the views at Blea Tarns southern shore, you’ll then make another ascent up to Lingmoor Fell wheer you will get some fine views of Blea Tarn from above. Once at Brown How – you’ll make your way to Side Pike. Carfeul navigation is needed around Side Pike as it has a sheer eastern face which can’t be hiked/climbed up 9and is dangerous) – you’ll have to skirt around Side Pike southern edge and ascend from the western path – then retrace your steps to get back down from it’s little summit. Once down from Side Pike you will retrace your steps down to the start.

OS Maps - my Recommended App

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PHOTOS OF MY BLEA TARN WALK

On the day of this walk, temperatures where in the negatives, and although I’ve often drove up to the car park right next to Blea Tarn – I didn’t fancy the narrow steep road on this day knowing there was a lot of ice about – losing breaking power could be very dangerous around here! I also had time on my hands, well a couple of hours anyway – so I parked up at the National Trust Car Park at Old Dungeon Ghyll and went for ‘Blea Tarn Route #1’ featured up the page. Here’s some photos of my walk… 

You can just about make out the Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel at the foot of the Langdale Pikes in the photo above. Thsi is where the walk started and we’ve headed up hill from there. You get some pretty amazing views of the Langdale Pikes on this walk.

As you approach the level of Blea Tarn – there’s a small pine forest you walk along the shores of Blea Tarn that adds a nice bit of variety! 

The views from the southern shore of Blea Tarn are some of the finest Lake District views anywhere. Although there is a small car park right near this viewpoint – I think you appreciate them even more after a bit of effort!

It’s a chilly day on the day of this November walk with plenty of ice about – with the shores of Blea Tarn frozen. There is also plenty of ice on the roads and grittres don’t go to this part of the world – so if it’s icey or snowy – I don’t recommend driving up here.

I get the drone out to admire the views from above – what a place!

We return via the small road to the east of Blea Tarn and pass this little house –  I alwasy think I’d love a little holiday escape here. I believe it’s owned by the National Trust now

You can see how narrow the roads are up here – 1 car width wide – with very few passing places! It can get rather busy in summer weeken months so I would avoid driving up here then.

As we begin the descent back down the Langdale Valley – I admire the views towards Oxendale. The views really are incredible on this walk and I hope this blog post inspires you to plan a trip to Blea Tarn to see the rugged Lake District beauty for yourself.