Borrowdale with Repeated Mountain Passages: Styhead Tarn, Sprinkling Tarn and Grains Gill: hiking in United Kingdom
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Borrowdale with Repeated Mountain Passages: Styhead Tarn, Sprinkling Tarn and Grains Gill

Distance
21.1 km
Time
8 h 17 min
Elevation gain
—
Difficulty
Hard
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Route description

From Seatoller, the outing follows Borrowdale towards the mountain tarns above Seathwaite. At Stockley Bridge the rural valley gives way to a rocky ascent: the old arch recalls packhorse journeys, with higher passages leading to Styhead Tarn beyond it. Great Gable rises above the water; farther on, Sprinkling Tarn sits beneath Great End’s striking rock face. The return follows the Ruddy Gill and Grains Gill area, where mountain water accompanies the descent into the valley. This expanded version revisits several familiar passages and adds lower paths before finishing near Seatoller. It calls for stamina and a long daylight window. Clear weather makes the tarn stops particularly memorable, while mist demands confident navigation.

Route status

Проверяем свежесть данных по треку и учитываем сообщения сообщества

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Проверяем спутниковые данные о пожарах и предупреждения по региону.

Следить за маршрутом
Подробнее о состоянии маршрута No recent trail condition reports
Data source Information prepared

The description, logistics and points of interest were prepared using maps and open sources. Trail conditions may change.

Route data was imported from GPX and has not been field-verified.

Last updated 12.10.2026

Before travelling, check trail access, restrictions and the weather forecast.

Current conditions No recent trail condition reports

Conditions may have changed. Share a report after completing the route.

Community experience

Recent completions

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Elevation profile

gentle climb steep

Surface

Compacted dirt 22% · Asphalt 10% · Dirt / grass 2% · Unknown 66%

Surface data covers 7.28 km of 21.1 km; the rest of the track is not yet classified.

Compacted dirt 22% · 4.57 km
Asphalt 10% · 2.20 km
Dirt / grass 2% · 0.39 km
Paving stones 1% · 0.07 km
Dirt 1% · 0.04 km
Gravel 1% · 0.01 km
Unknown 66% · 13.9 km

Before you go

Всё важное о маршруте

Route at a glance

Главное за минуту
Walk from the lived-in Borrowdale valley to two mountain tarns and see Great Gable and Great End from the paths beneath them. Stockley Bridge adds the history of packhorse transport, while Grains Gill brings a beautiful watercourse descent. Choose the expanded version when you want more time in this landscape and are ready for a prolonged mountain day.
Length
21.1 km
Elevation gain
1248 m
Surface
Compacted dirt 22%
Borrowdale with Repeated Mountain Passages: Styhead Tarn, Sprinkling Tarn and Grains Gill: route photo 4 in United Kingdom

Route suitability

Кому будет комфортно
Without a car Yes
With children With caution
With a dog With caution
By bike No
With a stroller No
Mobile signal Не проверено

Nearby

Taylorgill Force, the old Grains Gill workings and neighbouring summits need their own approaches and safety assessment. Great Gable and Great End are viewed mountains in this description, with summit ascents excluded. Book campsites and farm accommodation ahead under their owners’ rules; they are not automatic stops on this walk.

Getting there

Варианты и важные моменты Show on map
Without a car
National Trust confirms regular buses from Keswick to Seatoller, stopping beside the departure car park. Select a specific day and check the return service beforehand. The full expanded outing needs considerable time, so the last bus should shape your return plan before departure.
By car
From Keswick, take the B5289 through Borrowdale to Seatoller below Honister Pass. The departure is beside the National Trust car park. Do not move your road arrival into Seathwaite’s farmyards or expect vehicle access to the upper tarns.
Parking
Use Seatoller National Trust Car Park. Charges apply to visitors without membership; National Trust members park under their membership conditions. Confirm current rates and space availability before travelling. Choose a permitted stay long enough for the mountain day, with time in reserve; toilets are available at the car park.

Электрички туда и обратно

Расписание на дату и время, до которого нужно выйти на маршрут

What to expect

Places
Stockley Bridge the eighteenth-century packhorse arch.
Styhead Tarn mountain water on the path above Borrowdale.
Sprinkling Tarn the shore stop beneath Great End.
Great Gable Views the mountain above the tarn passage.
Great End Cliff Views the striking face above Sprinkling Tarn.
Grains Gill water and a rocky valley on the return.
Ruddy Gill the upper stream crossing in the mountain section.

Difficult sections and safety

На что обратить внимание
Elevation gainСуммарный набор высоты — 1248 м.
SurfaceCompacted dirt 22%, Asphalt 10%, Dirt / grass 2%, Unknown 66%.
Риски Expect steep rock steps, uneven mountain paths, streams and places exposed to wind. Rain, mist and cold make the outing considerably harder. Repeated passages add effort; children need a version suited to a prepared group’s abilities. Keep dogs leashed near livestock and controlled on rocks. Use permitted footpaths through farms. Bicycle and stroller access does not extend over the whole line.

How much time to allow

Оцените свой темп
Расчётное время в пути 8 h 17 min
С запасом на остановки + 30–60 мин
Allow an estimated 8–11 hours for the full expanded version with stops. This is a prolonged mountain-day estimate for prepared walkers, rather than the time for the shorter standard circle. Start early, account for the return bus and set a turnaround time. In short daylight or poor weather, choose a smaller permitted outing instead of attempting every repeated passage.

Best time to go

Сезонность и рекомендации
A long daylight window and settled weather are most useful, usually in late spring and summer. Autumn makes an early departure particularly important; wet rocks are slippery and the upper ground is colder than the valley. Snow, ice and winter wind require separate mountain skills and suitable equipment. Even in summer, check a mountain forecast rather than Keswick alone.

What to bring

Базовый список для комфортного похода
Grippy mountain footwear
Waterproof jacket and warm layers
Food and water for a long day
Map and compass, with the skills to use them
Charged phone
Headtorch
First aid and emergency insulation
Lead and supplies when taking a dog

FAQ

Questions before the trip

Can I do this route without a car?

National Trust confirms regular buses from Keswick to Seatoller, stopping beside the departure car park. Select a specific day and check the return service beforehand. The full expanded outing needs considerable time, so the last bus should shape your return plan before departure

Is this route suitable for children?

Possible with caution: review the surface, difficult sections, and extra time for stops in advance.

Can I download GPX and KML?

Yes, GPX and KML are available on the route page. Open the map, download the file, and use it in a navigator before your trip; key route facts: 21.1 km, hard.

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