September
8:00 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return
12 miles (19.3km) with 2700ft (823m) Total Ascent.
Today’s walk is different; not a high fell walk but three 1000ft / 300m fells – just as energetic – Loughrigg 1101ft / 336m, Black Fell 1056ft / 322m and, finally, Holme Fell 1040ft / 317m. These three are full of interest, including many tarns, rock formations, excellent trees and vegetation. There are splendid views from all three summits – weather permitting!
We begin our walk from Ambleside and proceed to climb Loughrigg. From the summit we descend to Skelwith Bridge and make our way to cross Black Fell. From here we continue to Holme Fell via High Oxen Fell. From this final summit we make our way to Coniston walking part of the Cumbria Way Path. Hopefully, we will have time for a well deserved drink and an ice cream.
7½ (12km) with 2450ft (744m) Total Ascent.
Today’s walk is one of the classics, we basically climb for the first third of the walk ( up The Old Man) and then slowly descend for the rest, enjoying wonderful views over Morecambe Bay, if the weather is in our favour.
From Coniston we ascend Coniston Old Man using the direct tourist route, which takes us through Copper Mines Valley, passing the Pudding Stone and through Bolder Valley to the summit. From here we head north along Brim Fell and Swirl Band to Swirl How, before turning east to follow the Prison Band to Swirl Hawse. From here we head back towards Coniston descending to Levers Water via Sam Bottom and then back into Copper Mines Valley before making our way back to the coaches
8 miles (12.9km) with 1250ft (381m) Total Ascent.
Starting from Skelwith Bridge we have a nice gentle stroll along the Cumbria Way via Park Farm and Colwith Force waterfall. Just before Stang End we head south to Hodge Close and the old quarry workings; this is an area of spoil heaps and big holes but it is still very beautiful. As Wainwright states, “It is one of the best square miles in Lakeland”.
After passing the quarries we leave the track to head on up to Holme Fell and, because this is not near any higher fells, the views are (hopefully) quite extensive. Leaving the top, we retrace our route a short distance to rejoin the track across the fell and make our way down to the main road by Yew Tree Tarn. From the road it is only a short climb to Tarn Hows from where we head back through woods and farmland to Coniston in time for a well earned brew.
5½ miles (8.9km) with 2000ft (61m) Total Ascent.
Today’s walk is relatively flat. Starting from the coach park in Coniston we take a short walk out of the village to join the Cumbria Way heading for Bowmanstead. From here we proceed to Coniston Hall, a fine 15th century manor house with a circular chimney stack.
Continuing after a short stop, we head for the shore of Coniston Water. As we follow this path for a short distance areas of clinker can be seen by the lake shore, indications that small scale smelting once took place. Reaching Torver Common Wood we make our way to Brockenbarrow Farm, on to Hoathwaite Farm and then to the A593. We follow the path close to the road back to Bowmanstead where we retrace our steps back to Coniston and a nice cup of tea.