8.5 miles / 14km with 3,450ft / 1,050m Total Ascent
The Coniston Fells form a distinct and separate group, being almost entirely severed from adjacent ranges by the Duddon and Brathay valleys, with the Wrynose Pass providing the only link with other fells. These fells are characteristically Lakeland with lofty ridges, steep and craggy declivities, waterfalls and tarns.
We start from Shepherd´s Bridge in Yewdale, following the minor road northwards to the parking area at Tilberthwaite before climbing through Tilberthwaite Gill to emerge at Dry Cove Bottom, which can typically be very wet! If conditions are fair, our route to Wetherlam (763m/2,502ft) will be by the little known Steel Edge, a steep but easy scramble onto the Lad Stones ridge, or alternatively, we will continue to Birk Fell Hause and up Wetherlam Edge. We then head down to Swirl Hause and up Prison Band to Swirl How (802m/2,633ft, although some now think it might be higher than the Old Man), continuing along the ridge to Brim Fell and the Old Man, at 803m/2,635ft the highest point in real Lancashire. It´s then steeply down to Low Water, from where we head to Coniston via Crowberry Haws and Miners Bridge.
Note that in the event of bad weather (heavy rain / strong winds etc) or if the fells are in full winter condition requiring ice axe and crampons, we will do a linear hike from Skelwith Bridge to Coniston taking in Black Fell, Tarn Hows and Holme Fell.
9.5 miles / 15.3km with 1,200ft / 366m Ascent.
Starting from Skelwith Bridge follow Cumbria Way through Elterwater to Quarry Hotel & take left to travel south west to Little Langdale. East to Stang End & South to Hodge Close from where path via Oxen Fell rejoins Cumbria Way.
Follow Cumbria Way via Tarn How´s passing Tom Heights, Tarn Hows Wood, Low Yewdale & High Guards wood into Coniston at Sheperds Brodge.
Happy Days.
8 miles / 12.9km with 1,150ft / 350m Total Ascent
From the car park we make a slow leisurely ascent up Church Beck towards Crowberry Haws. We will take our time as this is most of the climbing and we have plenty of time to take in all the magnificent views.
We then take the path between Stubthwaite Crag and the Bell to Walna Scar road. We follow the track westward to a lovely bridge across torver beck which we follow downstream passing some very impressive disused quarries down to Crook.
After crossing the A593 we walk towards Brackenbarrow Farm and then through Torver Common Wood to Hoathwaite Landing to join the Cumbria Way and make our way back to Coniston along the side of the lake.
5 to 6 miles / 8 to 9.7km with negligible height gain
We leave the car park and walk away from the village heading up towards what was once the railway line. We then head south towards Torver for the 1st section of the walk before crossing the road and taking a path which will then takes us to a bridge at which point we turn left our return journey to reach the shoreline of Coniston Water (taking in the views).
It was here in 1967 that Donald Campbell attempted to break the water speed record going at 300mph in his vessel Bluebird K7, unfortunately a disaster occurred and he was killed. From here we follow a path all the way back to Coniston.