Coniston Old Man
Coniston Old Man is probably one of the most famous Lake District fells. It dominates the South Lakes and the picturesque village of Coniston.
Visible from all around the South Lakes Coniston Old Man and it’s close neighbours provide a decent collection of interesting fells that make Coniston such a good base for walkers.
Passing through the village and heading up towards the Walna Scar road there’s a decent car park.
Given the popularity of this walk there are decent paths and a well signposted route.
On this occasion I chose to approach in a clockwise direction passing Boo Tarn.
The path continues below the Old Man and towards Brown Pike a right turn at this point takes you below Buck Pike and towards Goats Water at the foot of Dow Crag.
The bouldered valley floor sweeps around below Dow Crag which is famous with climbers the world over.
Notice the stretcher box at the foot of Dow Crag. The path continues along the tarn and heads up towards Goat’s Hawse.
As you ascend you are treated to increasing great views of Dow Crag.
Eventually you reach the ridge Goat’s Hawse at the head of the climb and are treated to what would be fine views on a clearer day over the Duddon and Eskdale vallies. Harter fell stands out with is pointy profile.
A right turn here and you follow the path up to the summit. Again fine views back over Dow Crag and the Western Fells.
Once on the top of the ridge you can see left to Brim Fell and ahead to the summit of Coniston Old Man as seen above.
You can now appreciate the scale and openness of the Coniston Fells at this point. You can clearly see over Coniston, Windermere and the Eastern Fells. Morecambe Bay and Heysham are clearly visible to the South.
Low Water is directly below as is my route down today alongside. Descending this way offers fine views of Low Water and Levers Water nestled in the distance.
Once at Low Water you head right and descend further.
The industrial past of this area is all to clear here with abandoned mine workings all around.
Wetherlam from the disused Mine Buildings.
The walk back to the large car park is straight forward from here.
Here you can see some of my Prints from Coniston and here if you need a good walking map
