A big day on the Coniston side — Walna Scar, White Maiden, White Pike, Pikes and Caw, eight tops in 19.8 km with 1,036 m of climbing. Severe for steepness, hard for length and exposure; about 5.7 hours steady.
✎️ Planned route — drawn but not personally walked or checked yet. A planned line is a suggestion, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate independently and carry a map & compass. How to use this guide.
Difficulty profile
LengthHard19.84 km — a long day out.
SteepnessSevereSteepest sustained pull about 39% around the 9.7 km mark.
TerrainModerateMostly good mountain path — rough/natural surface. desk assessment — not field-verified
NavigationModerateClear line, hard to stray. desk assessment — not field-verified
ExposureNot assessedExposure (drops, scrambling, how bad a slip would be) can’t be judged from gradient data alone, so we don’t guess. A rating appears once the route is editorially assessed or walked.
Five independent axes, not one score. “Desk” ratings come from maps and guidebooks, not yet walked — treat them as a guide, not a survey.
☀️ Daylight & turnaround
Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.
This walk covers about 19.84 km with around 1036 m of ascent, taking in 8 summits. The map above shows the line; the elevation profile and stage notes are below.
Access & barriers
Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route? A quick read from the gates and stiles mapped along the way.
Dog
Mostly gates
Buggy
Not buggy-able
Knees
Tough descent
Dog: A stile of unmapped type — a dog may need lifting over.
Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
Knees: A long, steep ~39% drop around the 9.6 km mark — hard on the knees.
On the line: 8 gates · 1 kissing gate · 1 stile (type unmapped)
Naismith-based estimate — a fast/steady range. Your pace will vary. These use Naismith’s textbook constants (5 km/h, 600 m of ascent an hour). Measured against a pace fitted to 41 recorded Lakeland walks they run about 8% slow, and we have left them that way deliberately: a slow estimate strands nobody.
The walk, stage by stage
1
Start → Walna Scar (2.9 km, 451 m)
Climb of about 451 m over 2.9 km (around 16% average).
Ascend from the Duddon Valley, joining the historic Walna Scar track. Grind up the relentless, stony byway before cutting away from the pass to tackle the final, steep grassy slopes directly to the summit of Walna Scar
The massive, engineered Walna Scar track is an unmistakable handrail for the majority of the ascent. Once nearing the high pass, peel off south-west to hit the highest ground marking the summit
Easy to get wrong
The Walna Scar road is heavily eroded and stony, making for hard going on the feet. Leaving the track for the summit involves a steep, pathless pull over grass that can be completely saturated after heavy rain, requiring a burst of heavy exertion right near the top
If you need to get off
Simply retrace your steps back down the Walna Scar track, which offers a wide, infallible, and easy-to-follow retreat all the way to the valley floor in any weather
2
Walna Scar → White Maiden (0.8 km, 6 m)
Undulating section of about 0.8 km.
Head south along the broad, sweeping grassy ridge. It is an easy, undulating stroll over short turf, dipping slightly before a negligible rise brings you to the modest summit cairn of White Maiden
Waypoints
Walna Scar ridge, White Maiden summit (600m)
Decision point
The ridge is broad but exceptionally well-defined. Keep the steep, craggy drops into the upper Duddon clearly on your right (west) and the gentle slopes of the Coniston massif to your left
Easy to get wrong
The ridge is highly exposed to the prevailing westerlies sweeping up from the Duddon estuary, offering zero shelter from incoming weather. The short grass is wonderful for making good time, but can become greasy and slick when wet
If you need to get off
Retrace your steps north to the Walna Scar track to descend safely. Do not attempt to drop blindly into the steep, craggy western flanks from this ridge
3
White Maiden → White Pike (Seathwaite) (0.5 km, 0 m)
Undulating section of about 0.5 km.
Continue west along the ridge as the grassy terrain abruptly transitions into a shattered, rocky crest. Carefully navigate the blocky stones to reach the prominent, craggy tor of White Pike
Waypoints
Ridge line west of White Maiden, White Pike summit tor (595m)
Decision point
The rocky crown of White Pike is highly distinct and acts as a perfect visual aiming point directly ahead on the ridge line
Easy to get wrong
The sudden shift from smooth grass to jagged volcanic rock requires a sharp change in pace. The rocks of White Pike are blocky and require minor scrambling; they can be incredibly slick when coated in damp lichen or morning dew
If you need to get off
Retreat north back along the grass to the Walna Scar road. Dropping off the steep, craggy western or southern flanks of White Pike is highly dangerous and trackless
4
White Pike (Seathwaite) → Pikes (4.3 km, 80 m)
Climb of about 80 m over 4.3 km (around 2% average).
Descend steeply south-west from White Pike, dropping off the high Coniston ridge into the sprawling, lumpy moorland below. Embark on a long, undulating traverse across rough, heathery ground, linking faint sheep trods to reach the minor, grassy rise of Pikes
Waypoints
White Pike descent, Natty Bridge (vicinity), Pikes summit (approx 460m)
Decision point
In clear weather, the imposing, rocky pyramid of Caw serves as a massive beacon ahead. In thick clag, rigorous compass work is essential to avoid wandering in circles through the featureless bogs and hummocks
Easy to get wrong
This 4.3 km traverse is a severe test of stamina over trackless, knee-deep heather and hidden bogs. The initial descent from White Pike is steep and loose, and the subsequent moorland is heavily scarred with peat hags that demand exhausting detours, making the 2% gradient feel much harder
If you need to get off
If exhausted by the bogs, you can bail north-west towards the Duddon Valley, dropping down the steep, pathless bracken slopes to intersect the valley road, though it will leave you several miles south of your starting point
5
Pikes → Caw (0.9 km, 84 m)
Climb of about 84 m over 0.9 km (around 9% average).
Leave the spongy moorland of Pikes and tackle the aggressively steep, rocky eastern flank of Caw. Pick a line up through the crags and loose scree, culminating in a breathless scramble to the summit trig pillar and its commanding viewpoint
Waypoints
Caw eastern slopes, Caw summit trig point (529m)
Decision point
Aim directly for the craggy apex. The white trig pillar sits on the absolute highest point and is unmistakable once you crest the final rocky shelf
Easy to get wrong
Caw is a formidable, rocky pyramid. The ascent is short but incredibly steep, requiring hands-on scrambling over blocky, abrasive rock. The faint paths are loose, easily lost among the crags, and highly exposed to the wind
If you need to get off
Do not attempt to bypass the summit on the steep lateral flanks. If the scramble is too intimidating, retreat to Pikes and head north to drop into the Duddon Valley
6
Caw → Brock Barrow (1.2 km, 11 m)
Descent of about 216 m over 1.2 km.
Plunge down the steep, grassy south-western nose of Caw, dropping rapidly off the high fell. Cross a minor, boggy depression before making a short pull onto the lower, bracken-covered summit of Brock Barrow
Keep the plunging Duddon Valley clearly on your right (west/north-west). Aim for the distinct, lower wooded hills of the valley floor to keep your bearing straight down the spur
Easy to get wrong
The 216m descent off Caw is a relentless, knee-jarring drop over grass that turns into a dangerous slip-and-slide when wet. In summer, the lower slopes of Brock Barrow are heavily infested with ticks and chest-high bracken that completely swallows the path
If you need to get off
You are effectively descending towards the valley already. Maintain a safe, downhill trajectory westward to eventually hit the valley boundary walls and local farm tracks
7
Brock Barrow → Fox Haw (1.4 km, 104 m)
Climb of about 104 m over 1.4 km (around 7% average).
Turn south-east, descending into the complex, knobbly terrain of the Dunnerdale Fells. Weave through a labyrinth of rocky outcrops, boggy hollows, and heather to reach the incredibly subtle, craggy top of Fox Haw
Waypoints
Dunnerdale Fells southern approach, Fox Haw summit
Decision point
A compass is vital here in low visibility. Fox Haw is just one of many small crags; use the massive bulk of the Stickle Pike ridge to the north as a long-distance backstop
Easy to get wrong
The Dunnerdale Fells are notorious for micro-navigation nightmares. The terrain is a chaotic jumble of identical rocky knolls and waterlogged depressions, making it exhausting to walk in a straight line and very easy to lose your bearings
If you need to get off
Head west to drop quickly off the fells into the Duddon Valley, aiming for the local farm lanes to escape the confusing, undulating moorland
8
Fox Haw → Raven's Crag (Stickle Pike) (2.7 km, 120 m)
Climb of about 120 m over 2.7 km (around 4% average).
Continue tracking south-west and then south through the disorienting, lumpy moorland. The route rolls persistently over hidden bogs and minor rocky swells, eventually leading you to the prominent, rugged bluff of Raven's Crag, sitting just south of Stickle Pike
Waypoints
Central Dunnerdale Fells, Tarn Hill (proximity), Raven's Crag summit
Decision point
Stickle Pike dominates the skyline ahead and acts as a massive visual handrail. Keep aiming generally towards its pointed profile to ensure you are threading the Dunnerdale Fells in the right direction
Easy to get wrong
The trackless, energy-sapping terrain continues unabated. Finding a dry line is practically impossible, and hidden holes beneath the thick heather are a constant threat to tired ankles on this long traverse
If you need to get off
Turn west and descend through the bracken to intersect the Duddon Valley road, providing a direct and highly reliable escape from the high, confusing moor
Raven's Crag (Stickle Pike) → Finish (5.1 km, 182 m)
Climb of about 182 m over 5.1 km (around 4% average).
Drop from Raven's Crag and begin the long, undulating march north-east back towards Seathwaite. The route weaves past the Kiln Bank pass, linking grassy trods and old quarry tracks across the lower fellside, before finally dropping down the enclosed valley lanes to the finish
Waypoints
Kiln Bank Cross (vicinity), lower Dunnerdale flanks, Seathwaite (finish)
Decision point
Once you near the Kiln Bank road, use it and the subsequent lower valley boundary walls as solid catching features. The Duddon Valley floor acts as a massive, continuous handrail to your left (west) guiding you perfectly back to Seathwaite
Easy to get wrong
At over 5 km, this is a very long, rolling walk-out at the end of an exhausting, trackless day. The 182m of ascent is hidden in relentless, minor undulations that will deeply test tired legs, and the lower paths are frequently choked with thick summer bracken
If you need to get off
The route closely parallels the Duddon Valley floor. If fatigue is overwhelming, simply drop directly west at any safe point to hit the valley road and walk the flat tarmac back to the start
In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.
🅿️ Getting there & parking
White Pike (layby) — 0.5 km from the start (straight line)
Walking base for Walna Scar, White Maiden, White Pike (Seathwaite) and Pikes — the 'Birketts by Dunnerdale Fells' route starts 466 m away. Free (OSM-tagged). Unpaved surface (OSM-tagged).
Positions are approximate. Lakeland car parks fill before 9am on fine weekends.
Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.
The nearest bus stop we hold is the 505 at Coniston, outside The Ruskin Centre, 7.9 km of walking from this start — not realistically reachable without a car.
There is no real plan B here. Every place we know beside this route serves the same walks and sits close together, so if one is full the others usually are too. Worth starting early, or having a different walk in mind before you set off.
Seathwaite, Duddon Valley (roadside)
Stickle Pike, north-east (layby)
White Pike (layby)
Worked out from the parking we hold within walking reach of this route and the other walks each place serves — two places that serve the same walks fill for the same reasons. We are not saying whether anywhere has spaces today, and we never will: this is what exists, not what is free.
It answers the two questions that decide a Dunnerdale weekend for a family, in the property's own words: where the children sleep (a king-plus-single family room with a stair gate offered, a single bedroom downstairs and a full-size futon in the living room) and whether the dog can come (yes, with the livestock it will meet listed by name). It lends a 3-wheeler jogger and a macpac carrier, so a toddler need not be carried. It is also the only property in this cluster whose owner's own phone, email and postal address are on the page rather than a booking agency's, and at 1.51 km it is the nearest candidate in the radius with any fetchable page at all.
A National Trust-owned hill farm at the end of a no-through road below the 1,000ft Wallabarrow Crag, which sells guests its own free-range eggs and sometimes Herdwick lamb and Galloway beef.
Dogs“Well behaved dogs are welcome and must always be under control as they are likely to encounter sheep, cows, horses, chickens, rabbits, working dogs and young children on a daily basis!”
Family rooms“two bedrooms, a family room upstairs with a king size bed and a single bed (stair gate available) and a single bedroom downstairs with a four foot (small double) bed”
Children“For 'wee uns' we have a 3-wheeler jogger and a macpac carrier which visitors are welcome to borrow.”
What each place says about itself, quoted from their own site. We have not stayed at any of them, and there are no prices, no booking and no affiliate links. Distances are straight lines from the route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab).