The Old Man of Coniston

Date: 28/07/2021
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location: The Old Man of Coniston

The Lake District Guided Walk of the Coniston Old Man and Dow Crag is one of the best days out in the Southern Lake District. This is one of Adventure Peaks’ shorter walks, that sets out from the impressive Walna Scar road, but don’t be tricked by its length, this is a hard route with a lot of stunning high level walking.

We begin by following the Walna Scar up to Brown Pike where the views quickly open up. The ridge then takes us to the impressive summit of Dow Crag, its huge wall, popular with climbers, drops spectacularly to the beautiful Goat’s Water below. We then cross Goat’s Hawse and summit the Old Man. The views of the Lake District coastline and surrounding vistas are breathtaking. We complete our walk past Low Water Beck and through the hugely impressive slate spoils and old mining ruins.

Guided Walk Overview

  • Height: 803m / 2,634ft
  • Distance: 9.48km / 5.9 Miles
  • Time: 5 Hours
  • Grade: Hard

Equipment Needed

  • Walking Boots
  • Waterproof Jacket and trousers
  • Rucksack
  • Warm tops
  • Spare clothing
  • Hat & Gloves
  • Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
  • Packed lunch
  • Water bottle/Thermos Flask
  • Torch and whistle

A 15% discount is available on all equipment and clothing from the Adventure Peaks store. This is valid from the time of booking to the date of the walk.

Wainwrights Included

Brown Pike, 682m – Dow Crag, 651m – Coniston Old Man, 803m

Total ascent / descent

740m/2,425ft

Meeting Point/Transport

The group will meet at 9am at the free parking area on the Walna Scar Road, high above Coniston. Park on the ground where the tarmac ends. Grid Ref: SD 288 970. You should have your rucksack packed ready to depart including a full packed lunch.

Please note that no transport is included as part of the walk. For those without their own transportation it may be possible to share transport with the guide or other members of the walk. In this case we do ask that a contribution is made to the fuel costs of the driver.

The day will finish at 2.00-2.30pm.

If you are not there within 20 minutes of the departure time (9am) the group will begin their walk.

Previous Experience

You should have a good level of fitness and be comfortable walking for 5-6 hours per day with around 740m (2,425ft) of ascent.

“The highest (by a few feet) and best-known of the Coniston fells is the Old Man,a benevolent giant revered by generations of walkers and of particular esteem in the eyes of inhabitants of the village he shelters, for he has contributed much to their prosperity.”
“Although cruelly scared and mutilated by quarries the Old Man has retained a dignified bearing, and still raises his proud and venerable head to the sky. His tears are shed quietly, into Lows Water and Goats Water, two splendid tarns, whence, in due course, and after further service to the community in the matter of supplies of electricty and water, they ultimately find their way into Coniston’s lake, and there bathe his anciaent feet.”
Alfred Wainwright

Books & Maps

Ordnance Survey OL 5 covers The Southern area of the Lake District and OL7 covers the Northern area at a scale of 1:25,000. The BMC produce a Lake District map at a scale of 1:40,000, which are waterproof and tear resistant, specially designed for walkers and climbers.

Age limit

The Minimum Age for our walks is 8 years of age, but this depends on a child’s experience and ability. Under 18’s must be accompanied by an adult unless previously agreed with Adventure Peaks, and as we are AALA registered, written permission must be provided by a parent/guardian, for each participant under 18.

Participation Statement

Adventure Peaks recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

As our guides and leaders will be responsible for your wellbeing, we require each walker to complete our medical and experience form and return it to Adventure Peaks or your guide at the start of the walk. You may download a copy here.

Cost of Guided Walks

Our Lake District Guided Walks cost £40 per person and we require a minimum of 3 people to guarantee a Lake District Guided Walk can operate. Please do not book your travel or accommodation until we have contacted you.


Bookings

Bookings for this walk are now closed. For late bookings, please call 015394 33794 option 1 to see if places are still available.

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