11¾ miles (19km) with 2033ft (620m) Total Ascent
Today we leave the coach at the Newby Bridge Hotel bus stop layby, affording us a reasonably early start and the rare opportunity to traverse the Furness Fells in a linear walk to Coniston.
Crossing first the River Leven, outflow from Lake Windermere and then the Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway line, we head towards the hamlet of Finsthwaite. From here it is uphill to High Dam and Great Green Hows before descending to the small settlements of Crosslands and Rusland. We enter the southern reaches of Grizedale Forest at Force Forge Farm. Through various forest paths, tracks and careful navigation (no running off at the front please!) we should all arrive at Carron Crag 1030ft (314m) our highest point on the walk. Views from here are particularly extensive towards the Central Fells and there is a large sculpture, one of over 40 within the forest, which provides a splended photo opportunity. Also for those into the pursuit of "letterboxing" (outdoor hobby that combines elements of orienteering, art and puzzle solving) I am informed that from the trig point and 70 paces on a bearing of 335 degrees leads to large standing stone type bolder. A further 5 paces away under a rock in a small cave behind stones is the "letter box" containing the mystery treasure. Feel free to try and solve the mystery while we have a break! There is plenty more forest to enjoy on our way to How Head and the northern reaches of Coniston Water before a final stretch on the road into Coniston village.
8¾miles (14.1km) with 2400ft (732m) Total Ascent
Starting from Coniston we head up towards Lever Waters beck which we follow for a short way. We turn off at Hole Rake and climb up towards Wetherlam via Red Gill Head Moss and Lower Howes. Reaching the top of Wetherlam (762m/2500ft) we turn to follow Wetherlam edge until we reach a path descending towards Hawk Rigg. Continuing our descent on a winding path down to Tiberthwaite Gill and on to disused quarries to reach Yewdale Fells. Our final descent steepens from here to Far End and the road back in to Coniston. Recent weather conditions may cause the route or walk to be changed if necessary.
7 miles (11.4km) with 700ft (213m) Total Ascent
From the village of Coniston we make our way to Bowmanstead, crossing the main road to move south west. We gradually start to move uphill towards Bleathwaite Pasture from where we, weather permitting, should be granted wonderful views over Coniston Water to the east and the Old Man of Coniston to the west. Continuing upwards through open pasture, we eventually arrive at Torver Beck, which we then follow downstream to the hamlet of Little Arrow. From here we walk on to Torver, before winding our way downhill to Coniston Water, on our way passing through Torver Common Wood. Once at the lakeside we are able to walk along the woodland and open tracks, part of the "Cumbria Way", back to Coniston.
5½ miles (8.9km) with 607ft (185m) Total Ascent
We begin our walk from Brown Howe car park shortly before Torver. We climb steadily on a well maintained farm track to the base of Tottle Bank. When we reach the farm gate after about a mile, most of the day's climbing has been done. We turn left along a grassy bridle path and soon, if the weather is kind, we have a magnificent view of the Old Man, Dow Crags, Walna Scar and the Furness Fells. Now at our highest point we descend to Sunny Bank Farm where we have a brief road walk before a short sharp climb takes us to the Cumbria Way. We drop down to the lake and have just over a mile of undulating single file track where we need to be careful on exposed tree roots. The last two miles are flat, on well maintained paths with the lake to our right and the hills to our left. As of last Friday there was plenty of mud and water, not only in the lake!