For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

To most walkers Tarn Hows will be viewed as a "Tourist  hot-spot" to be avoided. We used to fit it in as a lunch spot when doing Black Fell & Holme Fell. Nowadays however things have changed and we regard it as a walk in its own right although we do try to visit outside the peak periods. One thing that cannot be denied is that it offers some delicous views and the opportunity of lovely reflections. Reflections were at a premium today however as the Tarns were mostly still frozen over.

This was our first proper view as we left the car park....thoughts?......."looks promising"

From the main car park we walked back along the road towards the disabled car park. Wetherlam looked magnificent when we looked back.

The contrast in colours between the lower Tom Heights and the Langdake Pikes caught my eye.

"Yes....definitely looks promising"

We left the road at the corner to climb up to the car park and now Coniston Old Man had joined Wetherlam

From the car park we followed the higher path n'wards to the viewpoint of Howgraves.

Pure magic....to the north snowy Helvellyn and Fairfield fells peek out above Black Fell.

We were early enough to have the place to ourselves. The last time we were here a group of professional photographers were chasing places. One actually told a lady who was admiring the views to shift out of the way because she was spoiling his view. If it had been the boss-lady he would have been swimming in the tarn!

No reflections in the Tarns today, just a few shadows on them.

A view to the Conistons as we leave the viewpoint.

It had been my plan to drop down to the lower path, seen below but I decided to walk up and around to Rose Castle which we had not visited for a few years.

Rose Castle Cottage.....A National Trust holiday cottage. It is a 19th Century Grade II listed cottage. Electricity is supplied via a generator and batteries. There are no power points other than for a mobile charger. Heating and Hot water is by a wood burning stove.

We walked up to the higher ground near the cottage which at around 830feet was the highest part of the walk. This opened up the views to the Far Eastern fells.

Looking over Woundale Raise to Thornthwaite Crag, Froswick and Ill Bell with Kentmere Pike behind.

Little Hart Crag (l) , Red Screes (c) and Caudale Moor (r)

The Helvellyn & Fairfield fells

Langdales

and looking down to the Tarns.

The Howgills over Latterbarrow.

It would have been nice to linger but we've barely started the walk so it's down we go to the bottom path to walk to the head of the Tarns.

The boss-lady strikes a casual pose on the footbridge at the head of the Tarns.

Usually get some reflections here but not today.

We left the main path around the Tarns to take this path leading to the High Cross - Knipe Fold bridleway.

Our plan was to visit the small tarn in the distance, another of our old "butty stops"

High Arnside Tarn.....a little gem on a summers day.

There's no butties today, we don't walk far or long enough now, but there are a few reflections.

Looking along the tarn with the peculiarly named Stone Chair Hill behind. After a brief stay we retraced our steps.

Back to the frozen Tarn Hows where we followed the path back along the other side.

A look across the Tarns to where we got our views earlier.

Partial reflections.

Above the Tarns on the way back to the car park.

And finally.....back to a very quiet car park.....and the ice-cream van wasn't even here!!!

Next Walk:    2nd March 2010 - Lake District - Hampsfell

Last Walk:     27th February 2010 - Lake District - Scout Scar from Helsington Church

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