Coniston Old Man Round

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Coniston village → The Old Man of Coniston (Coniston Old Man) (4.0 km, 711 m)

   Climb of about 711 m over 4.0 km (around 18% average).

   Starting from Coniston village, climb the steep lane alongside Church Beck to the Coppermines Valley. Cross the bridge and tackle the heavily worn, pitched path that winds up through the extensive mining ruins, passing the bowl of Low Water, before the final steep zig-zags to the summit

   Waypoints

   Coniston village, Church Beck, Coppermines Valley, Low Water, The Old Man of Coniston summit (803 m)

   Decision point

   The massive industrial scars of the quarries and the dark tarn of Low Water are unmistakable visual catch features. The summit is adorned with a large, iconic slate platform and an OS trig pillar

   Easy to get wrong

   A relentless 18% average climb straight from the valley. The path is deeply scarred by centuries of slate mining and copper extraction. The terrain is rocky, heavily stepped, and incredibly busy in the summer months. The final pull up the headwall from Low Water features loose scree and polished rock that can be slick after rain

   If you need to get off

   Turn around and retrace your steps down the main tourist path via Low Water directly back to Coniston

   

2. 2

   The Old Man of Coniston (Coniston Old Man) → Brim Fell (0.8 km, 12 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.8 km.

   Leave the bustling summit of the Old Man and head due north along the broad, flat ridge, walking the high rim above the eastern coves to reach the cairn on the minor rise of Brim Fell

   Waypoints

   Coniston Old Man summit, Brim Fell summit (796 m)

   Decision point

   Keep the precipitous drop into the coves above Low Water and Levers Water to your right (east) as a continuous, massive handrail, but maintain a highly respectful distance from the edge

   Easy to get wrong

   Mechanically, this is an incredibly easy, flat stroll after the grueling initial ascent. However, this high ridge is completely exposed to prevailing westerly winds sweeping in from the coast. In thick clag, the featureless expanse requires concentration to stay on track

   If you need to get off

   Retreat south to the Old Man of Coniston and descend your ascent route. Bailing east directly into the coves is a severe trap involving vertical, trackless crags

   

   

3. 3

   Brim Fell → Grey Friar (3.0 km, 135 m)

   Climb of about 135 m over 3.0 km (around 4% average).

   Continue north along the main ridge to the major depression at Levers Hawse. Skirt or cross Great How Crags to the saddle at Fairfield, then break away from the main Coniston spine, turning north-west to tackle the steady climb up the stony ridge to Grey Friar

   Waypoints

   Levers Hawse, Great How Crags, Fairfield (saddle), Grey Friar summit (773 m)

   Decision point

   The ridge line north to Levers Hawse is highly defined. To reach Grey Friar, you must actively track north-west from the Fairfield saddle. The dramatic, Matterhorn-like profile of the Scafells directly across the Duddon Valley serves as a fantastic macro-navigational marker on clear days

   Easy to get wrong

   A long, undulating transition with a deceptive 4% average climb. The ground shifts from worn grass to rocky, uneven terrain. Grey Friar is often delightfully quiet compared to the main ridge, but the out-and-back spur can feel like a slog on tired legs

   If you need to get off

   From Levers Hawse, you can safely descend east to Levers Water and pick up the Coppermines Valley track back to Coniston, abandoning the rest of the round

   

   

4. 4

   Grey Friar → Swirl How (1.7 km, 110 m)

   Climb of about 110 m over 1.7 km (around 6% average).

   Retrace your steps south-east from Grey Friar back down to the Fairfield saddle, then bear left (north-east) to pitch up the rocky, stepped ascent to the prominent, towering summit of Swirl How

   Waypoints

   Grey Friar summit, Fairfield (saddle), Swirl How summit (802 m)

   Decision point

   The saddle between Grey Friar and Swirl How is a distinct topographical dip. The large, expertly built summit cairn on Swirl How marks the highest point of the northern Coniston massif

   Easy to get wrong

   A 6% average climb, heavily concentrated on the rocky pull up to Swirl How. The terrain is a mix of scree and blocky rock requiring careful foot placement. In heavy mist, the descent off Grey Friar back to the correct saddle requires a precise compass bearing to avoid drifting south into the trackless Duddon Valley

   If you need to get off

   If the weather turns foul, the safest retreat is to head south back to Levers Hawse and drop east towards Levers Water. Do not attempt to descend north via the Prison Band in high winds

   

   

5. 5

   Swirl How → Wetherlam (1.9 km, 140 m)

   Climb of about 140 m over 1.9 km (around 7% average).

   Leave Swirl How and carefully descend the notorious Prison Band—a steep, craggy ridge dropping east into Swirl Hawse. From the hawse, dig deep for the long, rocky haul up the western shoulder of Wetherlam to the summit

   Waypoints

   Swirl How, Prison Band (descent), Swirl Hawse (crossroads), Wetherlam summit (763 m)

   Decision point

   The Prison Band is visually striking and sharply defined. At Swirl Hawse, Levers Water sits plainly below to the right (south). The ascent path up Wetherlam is deeply worn into the rock and scree

   Easy to get wrong

   The descent down the Prison Band is steep, loose, and requires minor scrambling; it is notoriously slick and dangerous in wet or icy conditions. The subsequent 7% climb up Wetherlam is a serious sting in the tail, presenting a relentless, rocky slog that heavily taxes fatigued legs

   If you need to get off

   Swirl Hawse offers a prime, safe bail option. Turn right (south) at the hawse and descend the clear, engineered path directly to Levers Water, then follow the mining tracks back to the village

   

6. Wetherlam → Finish (6.0 km, 41 m)

   About 6.0 km with 41 m of ascent.

   Plunge south off the summit of Wetherlam, navigating the steep, complex, and rocky terrain down towards Hole Rake or the Red Dell valley. Rejoin the extensive Coppermines Valley tracks and walk the dirt and tarmac roads back down into Coniston

   Waypoints

   Wetherlam summit, southern descent / Hole Rake, Coppermines Valley, Coniston Finish

   Decision point

   Aim generally south/south-west toward the deep trench of the Coppermines Valley. The huge network of white-grey spoil heaps and access roads acts as your ultimate target. Stay strictly on established paths to avoid hidden mining hazards

   Easy to get wrong

   A massive, punishing 6.0 km descent to end the day. The upper rocky sections off Wetherlam are steep, convoluted, and heavily scarred by old copper workings. The lower terrain is a maze of abandoned mine shafts, sheer quarry drops, and spoil heaps. Thick clag makes navigation here extremely treacherous. The 41 m of ascent is scattered across the undulating valley tracks

   If you need to get off

   You are on the final descent. Take extreme care through the quarry ruins; do not cut corners off the established paths, as the ground is unstable, steep, and riddled with dangerous industrial remnants