High Dam Walk
This is a popular walk visiting the lovely tarns on Finsthwaite Heights, near Newby Bridge on the south western edge of the Lake District. It's a short walk but there is some moderate climbing involved to reach the tarns.
Start the walk from the car park, just to the north of the little village of Finsthwaite. From here you can pick up footpaths running along Finsthwaite Water to Low Dam and High Dam. There's some nice woodland trails running all the way around the tarn. The paths then descend past Finsthwaite Heights before returning to the car park.
From the car park you can extend your outing by visiting the Stott Park Bobbin Mill. The working mill produced millions of wooden bobbins vital to the Lancashire spinning and weaving industries. It is the only working bobbin mill left in the Lake District today. You can learn about the history of the mill through tours and an exhibition.
To continue your walking you could try the longer Newby Bridge Circular Walk which starts from the village and includes views of the River Leven and Windermere Lake.
High Dam Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
High Dam Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
High Dam OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
High Dam Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The walk links up with the West Windermere Way at the south western end of the lake. The new waymarked route visits Lakeside, Finsthwaite and Stott Park. It is suitable for both walkers and cyclists.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Tarn below High Dam. Water Supply for Stott Park Bobbin Mill.
Low Dam in early autumn.
High Dam Tarn
Looking towards Great Green Hows
Tranquil scene at High Dam during early spring.
Entrance to High Dam estate
Stott Park Bobbin Mill, now a working museum. Built in 1835 the mill was one of over 65 such buildings in the Lake District, which provided wooden bobbins to the weaving and spinning industry primarily in Lancashire and Yorkshire. The building is today owned and run by English Heritage.
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The 19th century St Peter's Church, Finsthwaite.