Surrounded by mountains at the southern tip of the Helvellyn range, Grisedale Tarn makes for a stunning wildcamp.
When visiting on our Gold Duke of Edingburgh, there were plenty of flat spots for a good nights sleep, and none were too boggy, despite the constant rain. The ideal wildcamp would be by the stepping stones on the outflow of the tarn – there’s a great little cove with a rocky beach.
Location
Grisedale Tarn can be found at grid reference 348 120, at the end of the valley of Grisedale. It is enclosed on three sides by the mountains of Seat Sandal, Fairfield and Dollywaggon pike. This remote location provides for some amazing views.
Comfort
Unlike the wildcamp at Blea Tarn and despite the steep slopes leading down to the tarn, there were more than enough flat spots, and we were able to find space for three tents and a tarp. Because the spot was slightly up from the tarn, there wasn’t anything in the way of bogginess.
This spot is also well sheltered from the worst of the wind, due to the tall surrounding mountains.
Despite this shelter, when the clouds are low down, Grisedale Tarn is high enough that the visibility can completely disappear. However, this isn’t much of a deal-breaker and all in all, Grisedale Tarn is a very comfortable camp.
Pitching
Because there were plenty of flat spots to choose from, pitching didn’t pose much of an issue. Likewise, the ground was dry so pegs pulling out wasn’t an issue. It is worth noting that you wont be able to camp right by the tarn, as for most of the tarn it slopes very steeply down to the waters edge.
Mobile Reception
As with most wildcamps, this was a pretty remote location, so there was nothing in the way of phone signal. If there’s an emergency however, the A591 is a ~2.5km walk away, and is fairly busy. However, as with all wildcamps, due to the lack of service, you should always go with at least one more person.
Water and Cooking
The tarn made a good source of water, and with NADCC tablets, we had no issues with falling ill. However, there was a slight trek to get water, as for most of the tarn, the ground sloped steeply down to the waters edge. For cooking, the ground was flat enough that finding a place to cook wasn’t a struggle, though we had to make sure not to burn the grass.
Overall
Ultimately, Grisedale Tarn makes for a great wildcamping spot, with stunning views. It really does feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere, but its only a short walk away from the nearest road. There are also plenty of places to camp, so you shouldn’t have to worry about your spot being taken.
There’s also a plentiful supply of water, and the road’s only a short walk away should the weather take a turn for the worse. I can’t recommend this place enough!
As with all wildcamps, there are things to watch out for, particularly with regards to land rights. For more info on that and wildcamps in general, check out our guide here.