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Old Man of Coniston, Swirl How & Wetherlam loop from Walna Scar — Lake District National Park

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Hiking trails & Routes

Old Man of Coniston, Swirl How & Wetherlam loop from Walna Scar — Lake District National Park

Moderate

4.3

(44)

233

hikers

Old Man of Coniston, Swirl How & Wetherlam loop from Walna Scar — Lake District National Park

04:56

13.5km

830m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: June 17, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.80 km

Saddlestone Mill Ruins

Highlight • Monument

Derelict, fascinating remains of Saddlestone Mill - part of the slate workings on the NE flank of Coniston Old Man. Extensive artefacts from the industrial past are strewn around, include the huge steel cables (approx 2.5 inches diameter) that were used to haul trucks of cut slate down the mountainside. A bleak but beautiful location.

Tip by

3.16 km

Old Man of Coniston summit

Highlight • Summit

A Southern Fells classic, Coniston Old Man might be industry-scarred, but it remains stoical and unbowed. Towering high above the village of Coniston, it's a rightfully popular fell with good paths exploring high tarns, lofty ridges and the historical remnants of centuries of slate quarrying and copper mining.

Tip by

6.05 km

Swirl How

Highlight • Viewpoint

My favourite approach of Swirl How is from Wetherlam, a great route with a few fun scramble sections to enjoy in dry weather. Linking up the 2,633-foot (802 m) Swirl How with it's Wainwright neighbour Great Carrs is one of the easiest connections a Wainwright bagger can hope for! Despite both fells being relatively high, you barely feel like you descend between them and you can make quick progress.

Tip by

7.91 km

Wetherlam Summit

Highlight • Natural Monument

Not to be confused with Middle Earth’s Weathertop, this satellite of the Coniston Fells is nevertheless a fantastical hill. A textures mismatch of rugged crag and expansive fellside, Wetherlam is a swirl of spurs and coves threaded by gills and becks. The sort of peak you could spend an age on, oblivious to the passage of time.

Tip by

13.5 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

10.5 km

2.97 km

Surfaces

7.07 km

3.13 km

2.26 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (790 m)

Lowest point (230 m)

Weather

Tuesday 19 May

16°C

9°C

30 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

This route was planned by komoot.

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Old Man of Coniston, Swirl How & Wetherlam loop from Walna Scar — Lake District National Park

Saddlestone Mill Ruins

Old Man of Coniston summit

Swirl How

Wetherlam Summit

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