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Stickle Tarn

Wild Swimming Spot

Terrain:

Activities

Best Time To Visit

Lakeside, Mountain, Valley

Swimming

After heavy rain

Photo: Peter S via Geograph.org.uk

Stickle Tarn is a mountain lake in Great Langdale, in the heart of the Lake District, sitting directly below the great crag of Pavey Ark. It is a small dammed reservoir, its stone dam built in the nineteenth century, on open fell at around fifteen hundred feet. It is reached on the steep, hugely pop...

10

Parking nearby

3

Food Spots nearby

2

Staycations nearby

Parking:

Food:

Staycations:

5 day, 5 overnight

The New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel​, Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (Hikers Bar) – Great Langdale, The Wainwright Inn, Chapel Stile​

Elterwater Hostel, Bellfoot Rural Retreat

Nearest Hidden Gem 1

Nearest Hidden Gem 2

Nearest Hidden Gem 3

FAQ's/Things to Know

Where is Stickle Tarn?
Cumbria's dramatic Lake District National Park holds this upland water body high above Great Langdale. Walkers reach the shoreline by climbing a steep mountain path alongside the rushing stream of Stickle Ghyll.

What type of place is Stickle Tarn?
Stickle Tarn is a mountain lake and wild swimming spot sitting below the Langdale Pikes in Cumbria.

When is the best time to visit Stickle Tarn?
Heavy rain supercharges the feeding mountain streams, making the water level ideal for an atmospheric dip. Choosing an early autumn morning guarantees absolute calm before any hillwalkers appear on the main track.

What can you do at Stickle Tarn?
Plunging into the cold, clear water at dawn rewards hikers with a memorable wild swim right against a dramatic mountain backdrop. People also enjoy packing a picnic to eat along the stony shoreline while taking in views of the towering dark crags.

How long should I spend at Stickle Tarn?
Allowing roughly one to two hours provides enough time for a proper swim and a rest on the lakeside. Anyone intending to continue hiking up to the high summits will naturally need to budget for a much longer day.

Where do I park at Stickle Tarn?
Available spaces nearby total ten in number, split equally across five day and five overnight spots. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I eat near Stickle Tarn?
The New Dungeon Ghyll Hotel, Old Dungeon Ghyll Hotel (Hikers Bar) – Great Langdale, and The Wainwright Inn, Chapel Stile offer three dining options in the surrounding area. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

Where can I stay near Stickle Tarn?
Elterwater Hostel and Bellfoot Rural Retreat provide two places to spend the night within the local valley. Full details are available on the UK Hidden Gems app.

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Last Updated:

02 July 2026

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