Hard Tarn

Hard Tarn is a tiny mountain pool in the Lake District, Cumbria, tucked into the eastern flank of the Helvellyn range above Patterdale. It rewards walkers who want a quiet, hidden corner of the fells rather than a signposted viewpoint.

Where is Hard Tarn?

The tarn sits in Ruthwaite Cove, a glacial corrie walled in by crags on three sides. The cove lies south-east of Nethermost Pike, below High Crag, and the water rests on a rock shelf under Nethermost Crag. It is one of the smaller tarns in the Helvellyn and Fairfield area, inside Lake District National Park.

How do you get there from Patterdale?

The approach begins in Grisedale, the valley running up from Patterdale. The path leads to Ruthwaite Lodge, a climbers' hut. Beyond it the clear path ends, and you follow the stream and its waterfalls up into the cove with no waymarked trail. The ground is steep and can turn boggy, so bring a map, compass or GPS and sturdy boots. This is not a route for beginners.

Why is it so hard to find?

Guidebook writers and bloggers regularly count Hard Tarn among the trickiest mountain tarns to locate. From below it is hidden by the shelf it sits on, and you only see the water once you are level with it. Walkers have spotted it from above, from the ridge of Nethermost Pike.

What else is nearby?

Some of the best-known fells in the Lakes surround it. The Helvellyn and Fairfield round from Patterdale covers roughly 21 km with about 1,600 m of climbing and is graded very hard. It takes in Catstycam, Dollwaggon Pike, Fairfield, Helvellyn, Nethermost Pike and St Sunday Crag. Hard Tarn works as a short separate detour, or as a stop before climbing the east ridge of Nethermost Pike.

Some walkers wild camp by the tarn. Check the park's current camping guidance on the Lake District National Park website before you go.

When should you visit?

Dry days from late spring to early autumn are best, when the slopes are less slippery and visibility is good. After rain, the stream and cascades above Ruthwaite Lodge become harder going. In winter, snow and ice demand mountain experience and proper equipment.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a marked path to Hard Tarn? No. A clear path runs to Ruthwaite Lodge, but beyond it you choose your own line beside the stream.

Where should I start? In Patterdale, heading up Grisedale towards Ruthwaite Lodge.

Can you see the tarn from a distance? Not from below. It lies on a rock shelf inside the cove and shows only when you are close. The ridge of Nethermost Pike offers a view down onto it.

Is it suitable for beginners? No. The terrain is steep and often wet, and the lack of a path calls for navigation skills.