The Old Man of Coniston (Coniston Old Man)

It's a steep but straightforward climb — one of the easier of the higher Lakeland fells, on a clear, well-made path. The Old Man stands 803 m (2,634 ft), and the usual route is a sustained uphill plod rather than anything technical, with no scrambling required.

That said, it's a proper mountain: around 730 m of ascent, a rough and rocky upper section, and a summit that's exposed to wind and quick to cloud over. Treat it as a full hill day, not a stroll.

Sources: Coniston Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab)

The standard and easiest line is the old miners' path from Coniston village, climbing past the Coppermines Valley and Low Water tarn to the summit. It's the busiest route, clear and well-graded, though steep and rough higher up.

• Starting from the Walna Scar Road car park above the village shortens the day by roughly 1.5 km and around 210 m of ascent.
• The full circular over Low Water is about 10.5 km (6.5 miles); an out-and-back is shorter.

Allow about 3–4 hours for the round trip at a steady pace. A direct out-and-back from the Walna Scar car park can be done in around 2.5 hours by fit walkers, while the fuller circular over Low Water and Brim Fell takes nearer 4–5 hours.

Add time for stops, photos and the rough ground near the top, and always allow a margin for the descent and changing weather.

Yes — it's a popular first 'big fell' for fit beginners and active children, thanks to its clear path and lack of scrambling. The effort is the steady steep climb, so go at a gentle pace and pick a fine, clear day.

Keep children close on the rough, rocky upper section and near the summit and Low Water, where there are steep drops, and turn back if the cloud comes down — the broad top is easy to misjudge in mist.

Sources: Coniston Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab)

They can be. The fell is one of the most heavily mined in Lakeland, and the lower slopes and Coppermines Valley are dotted with disused copper levels, slate quarries, spoil heaps and deep, often unfenced holes — plus flooded quarry pits.

Stay on the paths, don't enter mine levels or peer into shafts, keep clear of quarry edges and spoil, and keep children and dogs close. The flooded quarries are particularly dangerous to enter.

The mining also shows up in the water. We pulled the Environment Agency’s sampling records for the becks below the Coppermines — what is actually in the beck water — and one tributary above Coniston runs at a median 554 µg/L copper and 433 µg/L zinc. Treat becks below old workings as water to walk past, not to drink.

Sources: Coniston Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab)

Yes — it's a popular dog walk, but the trail is long, steep and rough in places, so your dog should be fit and used to hill ground. There are streams and Low Water tarn for a drink and a cool-off.

Keep dogs on a lead around the grazing sheep, near the steep summit and tarn edges, and well away from the old mine and quarry holes.

Sources: Dog Furiendly — The Old Man of Coniston (opens in new tab)

Wear proper walking boots or sturdy shoes with good grip — the upper path is rough, rocky and loose, and trainers struggle on it, especially descending. Take warm and waterproof layers, as the summit is far colder and windier than the village.

Carry a map and compass (and know how to use them — the top is broad and clouds over fast), plenty of water, food, and a charged phone. Check the mountain forecast before you set off.

Sources: MWIS — Lake District forecast (opens in new tab)