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Bleaberry Tarn

Introduction

Bleaberry TarnBleaberry Tarn sits in a dramatic bowl in the fells, below Red Pike and High Stile, and is one of the most accessible of the really wild feeling tarns. The tarn is only one mile from Buttermere village, but the steep climb up Old Burtness makes it feel like a proper walk, and the long level shoulder of land between the top of the climb and the tarn means that the views are mountainous in every direction.

Red Pike from Bleaberry TarnBleaberry Tarn is a classic example of a tarn in a mountain comb. Elsewhere in the district the same arrangement is found at Red Tarn below Helvellyn, Scales Tarn on Blencathra, and Blea Water and Small Water below Mardale Ill Bell. On the High Stile range there are three combs that might be expected to contain a tarn, but the two flanking combs, Ling Comb to the west and Burtness Comb to the east are both dry.

Grasmoor from Bleaberry TarnThe tarn itself is has a rough tear-drop shape, and is surrounded by gently sloping heather covered banks on all sides. To the south the slopes climb up towards another shelf, below Chapel Crags, but this is dry.

Bleaberry Tarn is a suitable target for a walk in its own right - the surrounding fells, from Dodd, through Red Pike and Chapel Crags and on to the northern ridge of High Stile create an impressive setting, and on most days there is a constant stream of walkers heading for the eroded path up Red Pike. A nice alternative if you want an easier peak is to head for Dodd, with rather better views of Buttermere Lake.

Statistics

Grid Reference of centre: NY 166 154
Altitude: 1630ft

Map

How to Reach

Bleaberry Tarns sits alongside the busy path from the Buttermere valley to the top of Red Pike. From Buttermere village head towards the lake, cross over Buttermere Dubs and then take the path that climbs up through the woods below. This emerges out onto the open fell above the woods and then climbs up to the tarn.

Walks

Two of our walks visit Bleaberry Tarn - An ascent of Buttermere Dodd and a walk along the High Stike Range.

Inflows

One minor beck flows into Bleaberry Tarn from the slower slopes of Red Pike.

Outflow

Red Tarn drains into Sourmilk Gill, which flows down the famous cascade before entering Buttermere at its north-western tip, right next to Buttermere Dubs.

Other Features

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