Grisedale Tarn, Patterdale, Coast to Coast
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Grisedale Tarn from Dollywaggon Pike
Grisedale Tarn, Patterdale, Coast to Coast
Grisedale Tarn lies on the Coast to Coast path between Grasmere and Patterdale, enclosed by the towering fells of Seat Sandal, Fairfield, and Dollywaggon Pike. It is a classic glacial corrie lake, formed during the last Ice Age, its bowl-shaped hollow filled by meltwater flowing from the surrounding ridges. The tarn is most often reached from Mill Bridge near Grasmere (3 miles) or from Patterdale (5 miles) via the Grisedale Valley.
Just three miles to the north lies Red Tarn, another high corrie lake beneath Helvellyn, Striding Edge, and Swirral Edge. Red Tarn is home to the rare Schelly (Coregonus lavaretus), a whitefish species otherwise found only in a few Lake District tarns and Arctic waters. A connecting ridge route links Grisedale Tarn to Red Tarn via Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike, and Helvellyn, with Swirral Edge curving above and around the north shore before descending to the tarn’s outflow.
Grisedale Tarn from Hause Gap
As Coast to Coast walkers pass through Hause Gap, Grisedale Tarn unfolds below, backed by the steep slopes of Dollywaggon Pike on its far shore. Beyond lie the classic ascents to Helvellyn and Catstye Cam — a dramatic Lakeland panorama seen from the col between Fairfield and Seat Sandal.
Grisedale Tarn with Carol looking Cool
From Hause Gap, Grisedale Tarn reveals its tranquil expanse below, framed by the rugged slopes of Dollywaggon Pike and the ascent routes to Helvellyn and Catstye Cam. Carol, looking cool against the mountain breeze, sits to take a break.
Glacial Geography at Grisedale Tarn
Corrie Basin
Grisedale Tarn occupies a classic glacial corrie carved into the head of the valley between Fairfield and Seat Sandal.
Watershed Divide
The tarn sits close to a major drainage divide, with waters flowing north towards Grasmere and south-east towards Ullswater.
Rock Basin Formation
The tarn lies within an overdeepened rock basin created by rotational ice movement during the last glaciation.
Steep Headwalls
The enclosing slopes of Fairfield and Seat Sandal form steep corrie back walls shaped by ice quarrying and abrasion.
Arête Development
The ridges linking to Fairfield and Dollywaggon Pike show arête characteristics where ice eroded on opposing sides.
Post-Glacial Adjustment
Following ice retreat, smaller rockfalls and frost-shattered debris accumulated around the tarn margins.
Grisedale Tarn Western Aspect
Looking west along Grisedale Tarn, Hause Gap forms the obvious dip between Fairfield and Seat Sandal. At the far end of this view lies the col separating Seat Sandal from Dollywaggon Pike — a natural divide between the Grasmere and Patterdale valleys.
Grisedale Tarn from Dollywaggon
From the summit of Dollywaggon Pike, Grisedale Tarn lies cradled beneath Fairfield, Great Rigg, and Seat Sandal. Its feeder streams descend from both Seat Sandal and Dollywaggon, while from its eastern shore the outflowing Grisedale Beck begins its descent toward Patterdale.
Grisedale Tarn
Grisedale Tarn is a classic water-filled glacial corrie lying at the head of the U-shaped Grisedale Valley, which descends eastward to Patterdale. The tarn sits at 538 m above sea level and reaches depths of up to 33 m. Its clear waters support brown trout, eels, and perch.
Legend holds that the crown of Dunmail, the last Celtic King of Cumbria, was cast into the tarn after his death in battle against King Edmund in 945 AD.
At the tarn’s eastern end, the water spills out through a line of stepping stones to form the Grisedale Beck, which flows the full length of the valley to Ullswater. The stepping stones mark the spot of William and John Wordsworth’s final meeting in 1800, commemorated by the nearby Brothers Parting Stone, inscribed with verses from William’s elegy to his brother.
Dollywaggon Pike Route to Helvellyn
From the north shore of Grisedale Tarn, the Helvellyn path climbs steeply up the south face of Dollywaggon Pike, reaching its 858 m Wainwright summit before continuing along the ridge to Helvellyn at 950 m. The ridge traverses High Crag and Nethermost Pike, giving access to both Striding Edge and Swirral Edge — two of Lakeland’s most iconic arêtes.
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