Tarn Hows from Coniston
It's the easiest way to get a proper trail run in from Coniston without heading for the fells, and the lap of Tarn Hows is as pretty as running gets in the Lakes.
Effort: Moderate distance, manageable climb
Underfoot: Open fell or rough terrain
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Mostly on runnable ground, but most runners still walk the steepest climbs.
An 11km trail loop from Coniston village along the lakeshore past Monk Coniston, up through the woods to Tarn Hows for a full lap of the tarn, then back the same way. Around 225m of climb, almost all of it off-road.
It's the easiest way to get a proper trail run in from Coniston without heading for the fells, and the lap of Tarn Hows is as pretty as running gets in the Lakes.
The route
Leave the main car park and follow the paths east towards the head of Coniston Water, crossing the flat fields to Monk Coniston. The first 2km are pancake flat and a good chance to warm up. From Monk Coniston the route climbs through the woods beside Tom Gill, a rocky path that rises alongside a string of small waterfalls. It's the steepest bit of the day: about 150m of gain in 2km.
The tarn
You pop out at the southern end of Tarn Hows at around 4km and 200m. Run a full lap on the wide gravel path. It undulates gently round the shore, with the tarn's little wooded islands and the fells behind them in view almost all the way. It's busy on summer weekends, so early mornings are the time to come if you want it quiet. A couple of short out-and-back spurs add a few hundred metres before you head back down.
Back to Coniston
The return retraces the Tom Gill path to Monk Coniston and the lakeshore, so the last 4km are downhill then flat. Mind your feet on the rocky steps by the falls, especially if they're wet.
Why it works
At just under 11km with around 225m of climb, this grades Moderate on our scale. The paths are good all the way round, navigation is simple and there's nothing technical beyond the Tom Gill steps. It's a solid recovery run, a good option when the tops are in cloud, and a nice introduction to Lakes trail for newer runners who are comfortable at 10km.
Partner · affiliate policy
The Tom Gill path is rocky and slippery beside the waterfalls, particularly when wet or icy. You cross the main road near Glen Mary Bridge at the foot of Tom Gill - look properly, as traffic is quick there.
Safety on this route
- No signal? Text 999 — pre-register first: text register to 999
- Tell someone your route and expected return time before you head out
Leave No Trace
- Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories.
- Please respect the countryside and all its inhabitants.
- Dogs on leads near livestock, and around ground-nesting birds from March to July.
- Gates as you find them — open or closed, leave it that way for the farmer and the next runner.
- Take it all home — wrappers, peel, tissue, the lot. It doesn't count as biodegradable if you can still see it.
- Stick to the path where the ground either side is wet, planted, or nesting habitat.
Common questions
- Most runners complete Tarn Hows from Coniston in 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 50 minutes, depending on pace and conditions.
GPX checked
Distance, ascent and grade are calculated from the GPX file. Nobody has run this one for us yet, so treat the description as a plan rather than a report. How we check routes
About the author
Runner reports
Nobody's logged a run here yet. If you get out on it, a few lines about how it went helps the next person plan their day.
Routes nearby
Start from a town: Coniston 0.1 km · Ambleside 9.9 km · Windermere 11.3 km
Races on this ground
All Lake District races →Races starting within 20 km of the Tarn Hows from Coniston start, nearest first. If you are entered for one, this route is the rehearsal.
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