Ambleside to Tarn Hows and Coniston Walk

8 miles (12.8 km)

This walk runs from Ambleside to Coniston in the Lake District.
The route runs for about 8 miles, following paths west from Ambleside to Skelwith Bridge, skirting the southern edge of Loughrigg Fell as you go.
Soon after you pick up the Cumbria Way and follow it south to Tarn Hows before descending to Coniston village via Tarn Hows Wood.
Walk Report November 8th 2026 By Peter Wilson:
We set off from Ambleside on this lovely walk over towards Coniston.... It's a good distance at around eight miles, but there's plenty of variety to keep things interesting. I particularly enjoyed leaving the bustle of Ambleside behind and getting out into the quieter countryside. The views towards the surrounding fells were lovely, and there were plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs along the way.
One of the highlights was reaching Skelwith Bridge. It's a pretty spot, with the River Brathay running through the valley, and a nice place to pause before continuing south. We enjoyed the changing scenery as we skirted the southern slopes of Loughrigg Fell. The fell looks particularly attractive from this side, with its mixture of woodland, open hillside and rocky outcrops. I always enjoy these quieter stretches where you can appreciate the landscape without feeling surrounded by crowds.
Picking up the Cumbria Way was another nice part of the day. The route has a lovely rural feel here, with open fields, woodland and some excellent views towards the higher Lakeland fells. We were gradually making our way towards Tarn Hows, which was something I'd been looking forward to seeing. It's one of those places that really lives up to its reputation, with the beautiful water surrounded by woodland and the mountains providing a wonderful backdrop.
We spent a good while enjoying the scenery around Tarn Hows. There are some lovely viewpoints across the water, and I particularly liked the reflections of the trees and surrounding hills. It's a popular spot, but it's easy to see why people make the effort to visit. I could happily have stayed there longer, especially with the light changing across the water.
From Tarn Hows we continued down through Tarn Hows Wood towards Coniston. The woodland made a pleasant change after the more open scenery, and it was a nice way to approach the village. By this stage we were ready for a rest and something to eat, so arriving in Coniston was a welcome end to the walk.
I really enjoyed this route. It links two lovely Lakeland villages and takes in some beautiful countryside along the way, with Tarn Hows being the obvious highlight. Eight miles makes it a satisfying half-day outing, and the mixture of riverside scenery, open fields, woodland and lakeside views means it never feels repetitive. It's a great way to explore this part of the Lake District without having to tackle a major fell climb.