The Langdales and Tarn Hows

A loop round the heart of the southern Lakes from Ambleside: up Great Langdale to the foot of the Pikes, over the steep little road by Blea Tarn, down to Coniston and up to Tarn Hows, and home through Hawkshead.

The drive

From Ambleside the road crosses the River Brathay at Skelwith Bridge and runs up Great Langdale past Elterwater, with the Langdale Pikes growing ahead, to the Old Dungeon Ghyll, the climbers' hotel at the head of the valley.

There a lane climbs steeply out of the valley and over into Little Langdale, past Blea Tarn in its hollow under the Pikes. By our own measures it's one of the best roads in the Lake District. From Little Langdale the road runs south to Coniston, under the Old Man.

Above Coniston a narrow road climbs through the woods to Tarn Hows, a small tarn among the trees with a path all the way round it. From there it's a short run to Hawkshead, where Wordsworth went to school, and back to Ambleside.

Worth knowing

• The lane past Blea Tarn is single track and steep, with tight bends near the top. It's no place for a caravan.
• The car parks in Great Langdale and at Tarn Hows fill early on fine days.
• Hawkshead's centre is closed to cars, so park on the edge of the village and walk in.