One of the most iconic fells in the Lake District National Park is the Old Man of Coniston. Towering over the town of Coniston, the fell rises to 803 metres and offers breathtaking views.
At Mill House Cottages, this month’s blog offers a guide to walking Old Man of Coniston. With a range of luxury holiday cottages in the Lake District, this circular walk is a great way to enjoy one of the best fells in Cumbria.
At 803 ft high, Coniston Old Man is one of the higher fells in the Lake District. Although there are several routes to the summit, this blog explores the circular walk via Swirl How and Levers Water.
The difficulty of this track is moderate to challenging as it is rocky and steep in some places.
The Old Station Car Park is an ideal base for this walk. It’s only a short distance from Coniston village. The car is pay and display, and it is recommended to arrive early during weekends and bank holidays.
From the Old Station Car Park, head north along the road towards The Sun Inn and take the path to the left of the pub, following the gravel track alongside Church Beck. The first section is relatively gentle, which is the ideal warm up before more demanding climbs later in the walk. The path gradually winds its way uphill, following the beck deeper into the spectacular Coppermines Valley.
As you enter the valley, the scenery becomes more dramatic. Scattered throughout the landscape are the remains of Coniston's historic copper mining industry. These provide a fascinating reminder of the area's industrial past and make this much more than just a mountain walk.
Walk to Low Water and the Old Man of Coniston Summit
Continue uphill through the Coppermines Valley and you’ll eventually reach Low Water, a beautiful mountain tarn in a glacial hollow. Before the main climb, it is recommended to take a breather at Low Water. The surrounding cliffs give you a real sense of the scale of the landscape.
From Low Water, the path becomes considerably steeper as it climbs towards the summit of Coniston Old Man. The route follows a series of well-constructed zigzags, with rocky ground underfoot. Although the path is generally clear, this is one of the more strenuous sections of the walk, so take your time and don't be afraid to stop for a rest.
Eventually, you'll reach the summit, marked by a large cairn. On a clear day, you can see across huge stretches of the surrounding Lake District and Morecambe Bay.
One of the best parts of this route is continuing along the ridge to Swirl How. Many walkers climb Coniston Old Man and then head straight back down, but if conditions are suitable and you have the energy, keep going.
From the summit of Coniston Old Man, continue northwards along the clear path towards Brim Fell before continuing towards Swirl How. Swirl How is only around a metre lower than Coniston Old Man, so you're rewarded with another impressive summit without having to tackle another huge ascent. It's also often noticeably quieter than the Old Man itself, making it a fantastic place to stop and enjoy the scenery.
From Swirl How, follow the path southeast towards Levers Hawse, the mountain pass between Swirl How and Great How Crags. The descent becomes rockier here, so take care with your footing. As you make your way down, you'll eventually reach Levers Water, a glacial tarn surrounded by the high fells.
From Levers Water, pick up the Miners' Track and begin the descent back towards the Coppermines. The path leads downhill through the valley and eventually, you’ll arrive back at the Coppermines buildings. From here, continue back towards Coniston village.
If you’re looking to book a luxury cottage break in the Lake District, take a look at our properties. For more information, contact us to help you start planning.
