July
8:00 Start with 17:30 (5:30pm) Return
13 miles (20.9km) with 4200ft (1280m) Total Ascent
We leave coniston via the coppermines road and then ascend wetherlam, going over swirl how, great carrs, grey friar, brim fell, coniston old man, dow crag, buck pike and brown pike, before descending back to Coniston along the walna scar road.
This walk can be shortened if we run out of time.
6.51 miles (10.5km) with 2400ft (732m) Total Ascent
Leaving Coniston we follow the track up to and past the YMCA. From here we gain height quickly as we walk alongside the falls and enter the magical world of Levers Water.
With our batteries restored we head up to the ridge called the Prison Band. From here we turn right and continue until coming to the summit of Wetherlam the highest point of today´s walk.
The return to Coniston is via the most obvious route leading over Above Beck Fells and to the Old disused mine track.
Weather permitting expect excellent views.
7 miles (11km) with 1500ft (457m) Total Ascent
From Coniston we follow Church Beck to the Miner's Bridge, from here we start climbing and after leaving the track we ascend Red Dell Beck passing derelict mine workings on the way. On reaching the track we had left earlier we follow it to Levers Water. After crossing the weir we pass some medieval mine workings and descend Boulder Valley to the Pudding stone. We then make a short ascent to The Bell for a view of Coniston Water, then head back to Coniston via Bowmanstead.
5¾ miles (9.25km) with 490ft (150m) Total Ascent
Today we begin our walk from the centre of Coniston. If the free toilets are closed there are others, but there is a charge. Heading South West we follow the A593 until we reach Bowmanstead. Taking a path on our right we begin a long slow climb through fields passing Spoon Hall on the way to Little Arrow Intake. (Please note there is a high and difficult stone stile on this part of the route).
Our climbing done, we then turn South and descend to Little Arrow. Crossing the A593 we have a short road walk, then we head South along the cycle path. Before reaching Torver we veer North East passing Hoathwaite Farm on the way to Hoathwaite Landing and the lakeside. From here we follow the Cumbria Way North into Coniston. From Little Arrow the paths are flat and very easy.