Easedale Tarn

Dorothy Wordsworth referred to Easedale Tarn as ‘the Black Quarter’ due to its imposing appearance and tight ring of fells. She may have a point but the Victorians enjoyed it none the less and so did we when we tramped up on a hot summer’s day over 100 years later. In fact Easedale Tarn proves that you do not have to gain a summit to enjoy true lakeland scenery. Despite being situated in the centre of the Lake District the tarn is still peaceful and largely uncrowded, certainly when compared to the chaos encountered at the start of the walk.

Easedale Tarn is set in a hanging valley, scoured by the retreating glacier roughly 20,000 years ago and has left an excellent selection of picnic spots. Charlotte insisted in exploring one spot, a boulder sat on the water’s edge 12 foot high. It is also worth extending the walk slightly by varying the return route and aiming more for the rugged lands of Upper Easedale.