Loughrigg Tarn

Loughrigg Tarn is a small body of water in an elevated position, located at the entrance of Great Langdale valley, sitting peacefully out sight to any passers-by unless they happen to be traversing the peaks of Loughrigg Fell. It is situated to the south-west below Loughrigg Fell, with the hamlet of Skelwith Bridge to the south and the smallest of the lakes, Elter Water, and the village of Elterwater, to the west.

The tarn is almost circular in form, 94 metres above sea level and has a shallow basin of 10.3 metres at the northern shore, with grassland, scattered woodland and wetland areas on its gentles slopes towards the shoreline. It sits perfectly in the most exquisite surroundings, which can be appreciated in all its glory from the various upper viewpoints on Loughrigg Fell or from the bridleway and footpath from the north and east of its periphery. It is from the grassy fringes that one can appreciate the natural beauty of the area.

The ice that excavated this depression came from Grasmere to the north. It moved over Red Bank into what is now the opening of Great Langdale in a south-easterly direction, the result is the elevated basin we see today.

In literature
Alfred Wainwright writes of Loughrigg Tarn as being "one of the most secluded tarns", which is not difficult to understand why given its placement in the valley with a slightly elevated position, and that it "is rarely visible from the fells." Climbing the peak of Loughrigg Fell is as enjoyable as the scenery is dramatic. Not every view requires a peak of immense height. Although Loughrigg Fell is considered a lesser fell with regards to height, this does not make it any less worthy of its neighbours. Taking in the views from the top piques ones sense of excitement and wonder at what the tarn below looks like from such a proportionate height. Yet from the peak, Loughrigg Tarn is not at all visible. In fact it is on the descent that one will eventually see its charms as it appears between the rocky crags, revealing Elter Water and the northern edifice of Lingmoor Fell.

In William Wordsworth's ''Guide through the District of the Lakes, he describes: "Of this class of miniature lakes, Loughrigg Tarn near Grasmere is the most beautiful example. It has a margin of green firm meadows, of rocks, and rocky woods, a few reeds here, a little company of waterlilies there, with beds of gravel or stone beyond; a tiny stream issuing neither briskly nor sluggishly out of it; but its feeding rills, from the shortness of their course, so small as to be scarcely visible. Five or six cottages are reflected in its peaceful bosom; rocky and barren steeps rise up above the hanging enclosures; and the solemn pikes at Langdale overlook, from a distance, the low cultivated ridge of land that forms the northern boundary of this small, quiet and fertile domain."

Wordsworth describes a utopia where all that is good can be seen and experienced in this one, special place; an almost picture-perfect, artist's romanticised rendition of a secret hollow that would be suited well in a fantasy novel. Since those time, there have been a few modern changes, most notably

Etymology
Loughrigg tarn is roughly translated to the ridge above the lake. Loughrigg comes from the Old English word luh, meaning lough / loch, which itself is a borrowing from the Welsh word llwchor, and the Old Norse word hryggr, which means ridge (landform) and backbone, spine (anatomy). This word is also cognate with the Old English word hrycg, which also means spine.

Tarn comes from the Old Norse word tjörn, which means a small mountain lake, pond or pool. See the etymology section on the Tarns of the Lake District page for further details.

Visiting
Camping, boating

Parking