Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
Clear blue skies and soaring temperatures all the way for this our second walk of
our holidays. We chose to walk the clockwise route starting from Walna Scar car
park that leads steeply out of Coniston from the Sun Hotel. In my opinion the
clockwise route is better as starting from Wetherlam is very steep and in some parts
pathless, with the added steep climb up Prison Band to get to the other side
of the horseshoe
The car park at Walna Scar and the start of the walk
The easy to follow Quarry path climbs steadily and eases you into the walk as it
climbs steadily through the old mine workings towards Low Water
Looking at a large part of the horseshoe walk with a distant Swirl How to the left
and the steep fall of Prison Band leading to Swirl Hause with Wetherlam on the right
Passing The Bell
Looking towards Wetherlam
Approaching the old Mine works
The path turns back on itself and becomes steeper and rocky as it
passes the base of Black Fell
The path turns into the route of the old winding gear as it approaches
Saddlestone Main Bank
The remains of the old quarry site office
The remains of the old winding gear
First sight of Low Water and today in this heat a fine resting place to cool
down a little. Head left to pick up the path to the ridge line
The path leading to ridge line
The North face of Coniston Old Man
Looking down on Low Water from the ridge ascent path. Levers Water reservoir
peeping out from behind
The path twists and turns as it climbs up to the ridge line. At one point it opens up
on the East side to give magnificent views of Lake Coniston
Looking towards Swirl How from the ridge path
At the top of the ridge path now and approaching the summit of Coniston Old Man
On the summit of Coniston Old Man. Click here for a 360 degree view
A popular spot for lunch
The very distinctive summit cairn in all its glory
The imposing sight of the North face of Dow Crag
Setting off down the obvious path towards Brim Fell. The Scafell group
looking magnificent in the background
Looking down over Low Water with the route of ascent to the Old Man
clearly shown
Looking back to Coniston Old Man from the path to Brim Fell
On the summit of Brim Fell. Click here for a 360 degree view
From the summit we journeyed on down to Swirl How, and looking back to
where we came from there is a massive drop down to Levers Hause
Looking ahead to the steep climb up to the summit of Swirl How
Looking back to Brim Fell and Coniston Old Man summits from the path to Swirl How
On approaching Swirl How we get a glimpse of the path leading down Prison Band
that we will need to take later on to get to Wetherlam
Approaching Swirl How summit
On the summit of Swirl How. Click here for a 360 degree view
The short walk round to Great Carrs
En route to Great Carrs and we pass the monument at the site of the crashed
Halifax Bomber on October 22nd 1944
Sue approaching the summit of Great Carrs
Click here for a 360 degree view from the summit
I leave Sue and Ste on the summit of Great Carrs whilst I make the mile long
walk to Grey Friar and return. An easy path largely on grass
Grey Friar summit cairn. Click here for a 360 degree view
Journeying back to Swirl How we descend to Swirl Hause via Prison Band
to climb Wetherlam. It`s quite a steep descent and a little care is required on
some of the scree sections
Looking back to the Old Man from Prison Band
The giant cairn at Swirl Hause on the path to Wetherlam
Looking back to Great Carrs and an idea of the extent of descent that is required
On the path to Wetherlam, very easy walking
Approaching Wetherlam summit
By now, tired and aching after quite a lot of up and down walking
we reach the summit of Wetherlam. Click here for a 360 degree view
Descending back to Coniston via Lad Stones. At times this route is a tad
pathless, but other than that no dangers
Looking towards Brim Fell and Levers Water from the path down to Coniston
Back down on the valley floor and the path leading down from the sluice gate
takes you back to the Sun Inn. The path from the Pub to Walna Scar car park
is both long and unremittingly steep. Be prepared for a sting in the tale !!
