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| When questioning people of tarns in the Yorkshire Dales most people conversant with
the National Park will probably mention Malham Tarn which is the largest and most visited. Semerwater,
the next largest is another tarn most Dales visitors may recall but apart from those two few people
will be able to mention more. It may surprise a lot of people to know there are over 100 named tarns
within the Yorkshire Dales. This list provides information on 30 noted tarns in the park. Most are
accessible to walkers and details of their location and how to reach them are provided here. In
each description the tarn sizes are approximations taken from straight line measurements at
cross section. See how many you know and then why not get your maps out, boots on and go and
visit a few for yourselves. |
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| List by Size (Largest First) | Alphabetic List |
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Malham Tarn
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Ask 100 Yorkshire folk to name a tarn in the Dales and over 95% will probably answer you with Malham Tarn. It holds that much prominence because of its sheer size and close proximity to industrial West Yorkshire. Yet it is not to be maligned for it is in a wonderful setting and the tarn is a haven for many wild bird species. The tarn and Tarn Moss on its west bank is a nature reserve so you will always find bird watchers and walkers resting by the banks of this wonderful place which must be visited. |
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Semerwater
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Semerwater lies hidden in Raydale and is the source of the River Bain, England's shortest river. It is second only in size to Malham Tarn and due to it's size is the only tarn in the dales where sailing is allowed. It is also popular for fishing. There are lots of walks in the area which will gove a vantage point of Semerwater including the High Lane track linking Wensleydale to Wharfedale. |
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Birkdale Tarn
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Birkdale Tarn sits high in Upper Swaledale very close to the source of the River Swale at the confluence of Great Sleddale Beck and Birkdale Beck. At over 300 metres across from any point it is the third largest in the Dales. It's remoteness provides a rich haven for moorland birds and for moorland bird watchers it is within easy reach to visit being only 250 metres from the Reeth to Kirkby Stephen Road. |
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Birks Tarn
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Birks Tarn sits at 600 metres above sea level on Birks Fell to the west of Buckden. It can be found just 700 metres from the popular Buckden to Litton Path which crosses this imposing long ridged moor which runs parallel to the River Wharfe between Buckden and Kettlewell. As with almost all the Dales Tarns you will be unlucky not to spot a Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Lapwing or Redshank nearby. |
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Pinker's Pond
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Situated on the roadside of the Middleham to Kettlewell road Pinker's Pond is a popular setting for a picnic. With a car park at the side of the tarn its inevitable walkers will be spending their time with motoring sightseers at Pinker's Pond. That's no reason not to visit for here are plenty of footpaths in this low dales walking area. There is a fair chance you'll see a racehorse or two in these parts so you'll have the chance of picking up a good bet. |
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Summer Lodge Tarn
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Located on Summer Lodge Moor between Wensleydale and Swaledale. The tarn sits at 530m above sea level and it is one of the largest tarns in the Yorkshire Dales. Although there are no obvious paths leading directly to the tarn it is within east reach from roads to the west and to the east which link the two premier Yorkshire Dales valleys. |
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Fountain's Fell Tarn
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Fountains Fell Tarn is found high on Fountain's Fell itself. The tarn is usually a scattering of smaller pools amid collapsed peat hags unless there has been a surfeit of rain to swell it into its mapping size. Nevertheless it is definitely one to be explored and can be found just off the Pennine Way path which crosses over this boggy fell. From the tarn their are spectacular views of Penyghent, Fountain's Fells distingushed neighbour. |
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Newhouses Tarn
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Newhouses or 'The' Tarn lies close to the bank of the River Ribble just north of Horton In Ribblesdale. There is a dead end road very close to the tarn making viewing a very easy job. At the road side there is a sign indicating the tarn is used for private fishing. On a good day there are tremendous views of Whernside, Park Fell, Simon Fell and Ingleborough from the tarn. The tarn is also close to the Three Peaks walk route. |
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Widdale Great Tarn
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Widdale Great Tarn and its smaller sibling Widdale Little Tarn are found near to the summit of Great Knoutberry Hill between Widdale to the east and Dentdale to the west. There are several paths close by crossing the flanks of the hill but none go to the top so a stiff walk is needed from the paths to reach the summit and then cross to the tarns 50 metres below on its northern side. |
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Greenside Tarn
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Found close to the north dales village of Ravenstonedale between Kirkby Stephen and Newbiggin On Lune there are paths close to the north, east and west of Greenside making it easily accessible. Approaching it from these directions also steer you clear of Tarn Mire which by name alone sounds a boggy place to be. The tarn is fair sized and being only 270m height attracts lowland birds to enjoy its reedy shelters. |
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Locker Tarn
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Locker (or The Heart Shaped) Tarn is often visited by walkers who detour off the Castle Bolton to Carperby path which fringes the West Bolton Moor. Being only 2.5 kilometers directly north of Aysgarth it could also be visited during a days walking including Aysgarth Falls and Castle Bolton. A walk with waterfalls, a tarn and a castle...now that is my idea of a great day out. |
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Oughtershaw Tarn
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Oughtershaw Tarn is a fairly decent size for upland tarns but it is not easily accessed. Despite being close to Oughtershaw village which is on the Dales Way Long Distance Path there are no recognised routes to the tarn. Indeed paths on the surrounding moors here are few and far between. Also the tarn is close to a wide area of shake holes so it's not the safest place to venture either. |
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Greensett Tarn
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Greensett Tarn has been viewed at a distance by almost everyone who has completed the Three Peaks Walk. It is the tarn that can be seen below by people who look over to the Ribblehead Viaduct from Whernside. It has a slight resemblance in shape to the outline of Australia. Of all the times I've been on Whernside I have never seen anyone close by the tarn. After all the effort climbing the Dales highest hill it's hardly surprising. |
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Eshton Tarn
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Eshton Tarn is hidden in a wooded plantation and is situated close to the section of the Pennine Way between Gargrave and Airton. The map shows a path with a footbridge leading from the Pennine Way so it is probably accessible but I can't be sure. One thing is for sure. With its favourable spot enclosed by trees it will be a thriving haven for the local wildlife and one tarn that surely must be investigated. |
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Cotter End Tarn
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Cotter End is a fair sized tarn which can be found just north of the High Path Way which links Wensleydale to Mallerstang. It is close to Cotter Clints which affords super views of the surrounding Upper Wensleydale countryside. There are also caves and pot holes to be found close to the tarn making it an interesting area of the Yorkshire Dales to explore. Surely a good idea for a walk. |
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West Baugh Fell Tarn
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West Baugh Fell Tarn sits resplendently on the summit plateau of Baugh Fell. It is therefore located so when visiting the tarn you can take in the brilliant views of the Howgill Fells to the west. Reaching the tarn is a doddle for those who ascend Baugh Fell by the popular Rawthey Gill scramble. With the superb views afforded once at West Baugh Fell Tarn on the top of the fell how can you possibly not do so. |
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Whernside Tarns
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Located on the northern flank of the Yorkshire Dales highest hill the Whernside Tarns are a community of tarns with the largest single tarn being 115m x 95m. They can simply be viewed from Whernside itself or for a visit the Three Peaks Walk path and Craven Way path are both close by to provide relatively easy access. |
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Sand Tarn
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Sand Tarn is one of the highest tarns in the Yorkshire Dales due to it's close proximity to the summit of Wild Boar Fell. It is situated just 250 metres to the west of the summit on Sandtarn Riggs. The last time I was at the tarn I met some bird watchers who were excited for there were some rare moorland birds nesting nearby. I can't recall what they were but the birds had picked a lovely spot to nest. There are stunning views up here. |
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Priest's Tarn
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Priest's Tarn sits on the appropriately named Priest's Tarn Hill above Black Edge just 1 km east of Mossdale Scar which is on the popular Bycliffe Road Path which links Conistone in Wharfedale to Middlesmoor in Nidderdale. The area used to be a hive of industry in the past with old mine workings scattered all around this area along with neighbouring Grassington Moor. |
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Blow Tarn
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Blow Tarn sits on the very eastern edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Blow Tarns claim to fame is that it the principal source of the River Washburn as its waters overflow into Tarn Gill which in turn sources the beginning of the river not more than a mile due east of the tarn. Blow Tarn can easily be reached by walking 2 km south from Keld Houses on the Pateley Bridge to Grassington Road (near Stump Cross Caverns) |
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Middle Tongue Tarn
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Situated just north of the trig point on Yockenthwaite Moor Middle Tongue Tarn is a tough walk to get to. The moor top is especially soft under foot. The saving grace is that once the tarn is reached its all downhill. The best access route is from the Gilbert Lane path and crossing west to cover South Grain Tarn and Middle Tongue at the same time while bagging the trig point on Yockenthwaite Moor all in one go. I did it in summer, the optimum time. |
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Woogill Tarn
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Along with its close neighbour Coverdale Tarn Woogill Tarn can be visited while climbing on the long ridge walk from Great Whernside along to Black Dike End then Little Whernside, Dead Man's Hill and finally on to Great Haw. The exhillerating ridge walk affords grand views of Coverdale to the west and Nidderdale to the east and is not often visited so a peaceful dales walk is almost guaranteed. |
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Whitaside Tarn
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Whitaside Tarn on the moor of the same name lies just south of the village of Crackpot in Swaledale. The nearest recognised path is the Apedale Road path which runs from High Whitaside to Dent's Houses in Apedale. If on a tarn bagging expedition then Whitaside can very easily be accommodated in a single walk along with Aberdene Tarn and Summer Lodge Tarn as all three are situated within 2.5 miles of each other. |
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East Tarns
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A scattering of small tarns close to the summit of East Baugh Fell. The largest of the tarns measures 115m x 35m. There is a path which tracks over the fell from Garsdale Foot to Udale which runs close by to the east of the tarns for those wishing to explore the East Tarns. Leave the path at Gill Head and track up the fell south east for 600 metres to reach the tarns. |
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South Grain Tarn
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South Grain Tarn is istuated just 800 metres west of the Gilbert Lane path (see Middle Tongue Tarn) and close to Stake Moss. From the tarn there are magnificent views of Buckden Pike to be appreciated if there on a clear day. The tarn is one of several scattered around this area above Upper Wharfedale for as well as Middle Tongue there are the smaller Cray Tarn and Hunters Hole Tarn in the locality. |
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Coverdale Tarn
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One of the smaller tarns Coverdale Tarn can be visited while climbing on the long ridge walk from Great Whernside along to Black Dike End then Little Whernside, Dead Man's Hill and finally on to Great Haw. Woogill Tarn is close by and can also be visited on the exhillerating ridge walk which affords grand views of Coverdale to the west and Nidderdale to the east. |
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Brownber Tarn
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Probably the remotest tarn of them all and most likely the least visited Brownber Tarn sits on lonely Brownber in the most northern of the Yorkshire Dales. Maybe this wasn't always the case for it is close to the disused Kettlepot Gill Mine workings so if you really want to visit this neglected tarn follow the Kettlepot Road path to the mines and then follow the gill up onto the moor. The tarn can be found a further 750m west. |
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Frith Tarn
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Frith Tarn is to be found on Stonesdale Moor 1,000m due east of the Pennine Way footpath as it takes a direct northerly route from Keld to Tan Hill. There is also a small disused quarry close to the tarn. Keep going east from the tarn and you'll eventually arrive at Rogan's Seat, the 17th highest (and one of the remotest) hill in the Yorkshire Dales. Reason enough to visit the tarn. |
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Aberdene Tarn
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Aberdene Tarn is small and insignificant but a noted tarn all the same. It can be reached by exploring Whitaside Moor south of the River Swale near Feetham by following the Apedale Road path from Crackpot to Castle Bolton. If on a tarn hunt Aberdene is close to the much larger Whitaside Tarn which is 800 metres north west of Aberdere Tarn |
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Calf Tarn
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This tarn is a welcome sight close to the trig point of The Calf, highest point on the Howgills. At only 20m by 20m it is small but it is not insignificant. In summer it is a focal point for dragonflies and I've often lazed around after the climb to watch their colourful display as they hover over and skim the tarn. They are soon joined by swallows pursuing them and the other insects that congregate at the tarn. |
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