Frith Tarn

The walk down to Frith Tarn rewards you with something rare - a proper mountain lake that feels genuinely remote despite being within striking distance of Richmond. It's a small, dark sheet of water surrounded by moorland and craggy outcrops, the sort of place where you can stand at the water's edge and hear almost nothing but wind and the occasional fell pony.

Getting here takes proper effort. The path from Fremington Edge is steep and unforgiving in places, and you'll want decent boots. Allow three to four hours if you're not used to the terrain, less if you are. The reward isn't a visitor facility with ice creams - there's nothing there - but rather the landscape itself. Walkers will absolutely get this. Families with young children might struggle; anyone over ten with hiking experience should manage fine.

It works brilliantly as part of a broader fell walk rather than a standalone trip. You're on moorland that connects to the wider Arkengarthdale area, so pair it with a longer route if you can. Usha Gap Farm & Campsite sits just a few miles down the road near Richmond, making it a natural base if you're serious about exploring the high country here.

Best visited outside summer weekends when the car parks along the route aren't rammed. Spring and autumn offer the clearest light. Winter demands respect - the exposed ground turns nasty quickly if snow arrives. This isn't a tarn for everyone, but if you want Yorkshire fell landscape without the crowds of the Lake District, it's exactly what you need.