bespoke mountain and water journeys
Old Man of Coniston, Swirl How and Wetherlam
Distance: 15km/9.3m
Climbing: 1050m/3445ft (3 Wainwright Summits)
Difficulty: Challenging
A challenging yet spectacular hike that summits three Wainwright peaks in a beautiful circular route high above the town of Coniston.
Equipment Needed:
Waterproof jacket and trousers, sturdy lace up walking shoes, warm layers, gloves, hat, plenty of water and a packed lunch. Bring these in a rucksack with a waterproof cover. If you do not have one, putting your items in a plastic bag or dry bag within your rucksack will also do the job!
If it is a particularly hot day, please bring a hat and suncream - plus extra water.
Price: £150.00 (Maximum 6 People)
Fitness Requirements:
This is a challenging walk with a lot of climbing. We will go at a steady pace and not leave anyone behind - but it is recommended that you have a good level of fitness and some previous experience hiking up big hills (above 500m). You should also be comfortable spending a long time on your feet as we will be walking for 5-6 hours. Some sections of this walk are quite steep - so a good head for heights would also be advised.
If you do not have this experience yet but are still keen to come hiking in the fells, please take a look at our first summit walks that are specifically designed for beginners.
Time: 5-6 Hours
Full Itinerary Below
Detailed Itinerary:
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Our walk starts from Coniston Tourist Information Centre. We will meet in the Car Park outside the information centre. This car park has charges and it also has toilets (which have a 50p charge). Other parking options are available within Coniston and are a short walk away. At busy times, this car park may fill up, so it may be wise to arrive in plenty of time to find alternate parking. There are also regular buses from Ambleside, Hawkshead and Ulverston.
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From here, we take the most direct and most popular route to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston (803m). On the way, I will take the time to discuss the rich history of this fell, both geologically and more recently with mining activity.
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At the top (weather permitting) we will stop and have a hot drink and some snacks (i'll provide tea and coffee, you'll bring whatever you want to eat - remember, it is a tough climb so bring lots of energy rich foods) before setting off along the ridge where you will have beautiful views over Coniston, as well as out to the Cumbrian Coast. Assuming it is a clear day we will also make out some of the more distant peaks such as Scafell Pike, Scafell and Bowfell.
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We continue making our way along the ridge until we reach Swirl Hows, a dramatic peak with spectacular view over the other fells and a steep drop down to Greenburn below.
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The next section is the most technical, with a steep drop down the prison band. There is a visible path here, but you may need to use your hands to assist you at some points if it is wet and slippery. We will take our time and make sure everyone is comfortable on this descent.
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The final climb of the day will take us to the summit of Wetherlam - a fell that although beautiful, is less well known. We will stop here for another drink and snack break if the weather permits.
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Our descent follows the ridge that heads directly back towards town. This route tends to be more quiet than the main summit paths and lends a feeling of real remoteness at times.
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When we reach the coppermines track in the valley, we will make our way swiftly back to town, stopping briefly to have a closer look at Church Beck Falls if time permits.
Interested in booking a guided walk?
Get in touch today!
Please include the walk you are interested in, the dates you are looking to book and some information about any previous hiking experience on the form.