Coniston Fells

Walked on 14/10/2024

Walking Diary 2024

Start Point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar Car Park – Coniston Old Man – Brim Fell – Little How Crags – Fairfield col – Grey Friar – Great Carrs – Top of Broad Slack – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar Car Park

Distance: 14.4 km Total Ascent: 876 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 06:45

Weather: Beautiful and clear. 2°C

Time to dust off the hiking boots now that summer has gone and the crowds have largely receded. It was great to get out again on such a day, there was absolute clarity and views for miles. There was no one around at all today until I got to Boulder Valley, so I had the fells to myself for a while. I know these fells well and have walked them many times but they are still great walk; it felt a bit like coming home.

There was a bank of low lying cloud on the horizon this morning so it took 10 minutes or so for the sun to actually appear - it was shaping up to be a beautiful day.

Golden Hour looking to the west.

Climbing higher now, there was no one around only me, Fletcher and the sheep.

Made it! It was clear everywhere looking to the Scafells.

Coniston Old Man. Fletcher is there somewhere.

looking down to Coniston - village and water.

Fletcher basking in the early morning sun.

What a beautiful morning.

Looking to the south-west across Brown Pike, Walna Scar, Caw and Black Combe.

...and in the opposite direction to the north-east across Low Water.

The Old Man (men?!) and the Scafells.

We visited Angus, Casper and Dougal whilst at the top.

Dow Crag.

Looking back to The Old Man from the path to Brim Fell.

On the way to Brim Fell.

The pool is frozen this morning.

The Old man from Brim Fell summit.

Great How Crags and Swirl How ahead. Distant Skiddaw and Blencathra are visible.

The next target is Grey Friar, the central lump in this photo with the Scafells beyond.

Following Fletcher.

Seathwaite Tarn and Harter Fell. Sellafield is in view up to the right.

Brim Fell and Dow Crag.

A lovely view over Levers Water from Little How Crags.

Climbing to Grey Friar from Fairfield col.

Dow Crag looks magnificent from this angle.

Matterhorn Rock.

The summit of Grey Friar looking to the north-west cairn and the magnificent Scafells beyond.

It\'s a fine view Fletcher.

A peep into the Langdale Valley with Skiddaw and blencathra beyond.

Which path? We came across on the right hand path in this photo and climbed to Great Carrs on the second left.

Looking back to Grey Friar from the climb to Great Carrs.

Greenburn and little Langdale from Great Carrs.

The Halifax Bomber crash memorial on Great Carrs. The Halifax bomber crashed on 22 October 1944 and all 8 crew members (7 Canadian and 1 British) were killed in the crash. In 2005 2005-new slate plaque was installed, dedicated 11/11/2005 by Rev Mark East.

Serial Number: LL505 \"S for Sugar\"

Swirl How.

Looking down Prison Band to Black Sails and Wetherlam.

Prison Band from below Swirl Hawse.

Levers Water - a place for a drink and a paddle Fletcher?

There has been some fin cairn building going oil since last time I came along here - brilliant effort whoever is building them! This should make the way clearer in poor weather.

At Levers Water dam.

Coniston Coppermines Valley.

Grey Friar via the south-west ridge

Walked on 11/12/2015

Start point: Troutal, Duddon Valley (SD 234 983)

Troutal – Troutal Fell – Grey Friar south-west ridge – Grey Friar – Fairfield col – Seathwaite Tarn – Troutal

Distance: 6.1 miles Total Ascent: 643 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 11:20

Weather: Cold wind. 7°C.

There was an arctic blast again today with snow and hail falling on the higher ground and the wind was biting to say the least. It was very quiet on the fells, I didn’t see a soul anywhere but I guess a lot of Cumbrians have fair bit of clearing up to do after the floods unfortunately.

The start of the walk heading for Browside.

The grass gully that climbs to the south-west ridge.

Steeper than it looks.

Looking back down from the top.

There was the odd fleeting bright spell but the wind was a bit raw up here.

Looking over Seathwaite Tarn.

Harter Fell across the Duddon Valley.

The south-west ridge.

Dow Crag and Seathwaite Tarn.

Brim Fell and The Old Man.

Sunburst.

On the summit plateau.

Swirl How to The Old Man.

Grey Friar summit.

Windswept Dougal and Fletcher.

Looking back towards the way just walked from the summit.

The view from the north-west cairn.

Looking towards The Langdales from Matterhorn Rock.

Which way Fletcher? Looking across the Fairfield col to Great Carrs and Swirl How.

Descending into Calf Cove.

Dow Crag beyond the prominent perched boulder.

'Big perched boulder, Calf Cove' (Grey Friar 6)

Looking up Tarn Head Beck from the old mine workings.

Tarn Head Beck.

Down at Seathwaite Tarn.

There wasn't a soul around today.

The dam wall.

Grey Friar

Height: 770 metres / 2526 feet Grid reference: NY 26009 00359 Category: The Southern Fells

The summit of Grey Friar, Harter Fell beyond

Grey Friar across Wrynose Bottom from the climb to Hard Knott

The Scafells from Grey Friar.

Coniston Round

Walked on 13/10/2014

Start Point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – Coniston Old Man – Brim Fell – Levers Hawse – Grey Friar – Great Carrs – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar road

Distance: 8.5 miles Total Ascent: 968 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 30 minutes Start Time: 07:15

Weather: Breezy, cold on top, 12°C

Today’s walk involved an early start to take in a round of the Coniston fells. It was a solitary walk today and there was no-one around and that wind was oh-so cold, I think I have forgotten what it can be like given all the recent warm weather we have had – brrr! This walk will feature in an issue of Trail Magazine soon.

Firstly, a few sunset shots from last night, 12th October...Black Combe.

West Coast sunset.

A beautiful evening. On with the walk...

Sunrise contrails

Moon over Walna Scar

Black Combe, Brown Pike and Blind Tarn

Looking across Low Water to Wetherlam from The Old Man

Sky above the summit cairn

There was lots of cloud flitting across the tops today, here it can be seen blowing across Swirl How to the right

Looking back to The Old Man

You won't get lost on this path with a proliferation of cairns

Looking back from Brim Fell

Brim Fell

Great How Crags and Swirl How - I traversed across about halfway up the climb to head for Grey Friar

Brim Fell and Dow Crag from the traverse

I like the way the cairn mirrors the fells on Grey Friar

Bit windy Dougal?

The Matterhorn Rock

The WW2 memorial

Grey Friar from Great Carrs

Swirl How, The Old Man, Brim Fell and Dow Crag all in a row

Atmospheric happenings over the Scafells and Bowfell

The descent of Prison Band, Wetherlam ahead

Crossing Levers Water

Into Boulder Valley

Modern day industry continues at Coniston

Grey Friar

Walked on 14/09/2010

Start point: Long House, Duddon Valley (SD 239 968)

Long House – Seathwaite Tarn – Troutal Fell – Grey Friar – Fairfield – Calf Cove – Seathwaite Tarn – Long House

Distance: 7 miles Total Ascent: 600 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 45 minutes Start Time: 09:30

Weather: Clearing. 17C

It was completely miserable this morning when I set off in full waterproofs and the rain was like stair rods. Still, how could I disappoint Dougal and Casper who were raring to go for this one? Once up at Seathwaite Tarn I could see it was clearing from the west, the rain clouds were blown away by the strong wind…as was I by the fact the day turned out so well after a wet start! The downside of the day was the Salomon ‘wonder boots’ let in after a prolonged walk through very boggy sections, especially on the return section. It’s back to the drawing board in search of the ultimate pair of boots I’m afraid!

Grey Friar route map.

Long House Gill and the rain was heavy at the start of the walk.

Harter fell across the Duddon Valley.

Wet looking Pikes and Caw.

The Duddon Valley.

Approaching Seathwaite Tarn dam, Troutal Fell to the left and Swirl How ahead.

Following the dam wall.

Tarn Beck outflow from Seathwaite Tarn.

Would you 'Adam and Eve' it? Blue skies coming from the south, the clouds have been blown away by the strong wind.

Seathwaite Tarn, Great Blake Rigg to the left.

All clear over Harter Fell across the Duddon Valley.

Dougal strikes a pose heading for Grey Friar.

Close up on Harter Fell.

Dow Crag.

Doing the Dougal dance - the wind was very strong on the top.

Looking to the west Cumbrian coast and Sellafield across Harter Fell.

The two summit cairns on Grey Friar.

Looking towards the Langdale Pikes from the south easterly and main summit of Grey Friar.

Casper does the honourable thing and hides behind Dougal for shelter on the windswept summit of Grey Friar.

The Scafell range, from the north west cairn.

Moasdale.

Looking across to Harter Fell and what a different day it is now to when I set off...apart from the wind of course, I could hardly stand up on here.

Little Stand and Gaitscale Gill.

Matterhorn Rock.

Brim Fell, The Old Man and Dow Crag.

Big perched boulder, Calf Cove.

Casper watches the world go by.

Dow Crag from falls on Tarn Head Beck.

Sunshine once more back at Brock How amongst the ruined Copper Mines.

Seathwaite Tarn again.

Windy across the tarn.

The view from the dam wall to Harter Fell across the pump house.

It looks cold in there today.

A last look back before heading to the Duddon Valley.

Coniston Circuit

Walked on 15/11/2007

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – Coniston Old Man – Brim Fell – Levers Hawse – Grey Friar – Great Carrs – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Levers Water – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar road

Distance: 8.2 miles Total Ascent: 925 metres Time Taken: 4 hours

Weather: Icy at first, sunny later. 0oC at first, 7oC max.

I didn’t know what the weather would do today; it looked clear enough but the forecasts predicted otherwise so I opted for a circuit of the Coniston fells which seemed to be enjoying a decent amount of sunshine. Coniston Water was covered with a blanket of cloud as happens on this type of freezing morning but higher up it was a mix of wispy clouds and clear blue skies. The highlight was the fabulous stillness and reflections on Levers Water.

The Old Man of Coniston from the Walna Scar Road bathed in early morning sunlight. The high fells had a cap of cloud on them today.

Traversing Little Arrow Moor.

Coniston Water was covered in a thick carpet of cloud...

...with the higher ground either side looking like islands in the sea. Beacon Fell is prominent on the right.

Buck Pike and Dow Crag.

Brown Pike.

Climbing to The Old Man and into the mist.

An eerie light on the summit of a deserted Old Man.

Back out of the mist briefly in the dip between the Old Man and Brim Fell.

Casper on Brim Fell - looks a bit cold lad!

Descending to Levers Hawse. The north facing slopes haven't caught any sun yet so remain frosted.

Seathwaite Tarn and Harter Fell - yesterday I got a view looking the other way.

Great How Crags. We didn't climb here but took the faint path to the left, contouring the lower slopes heading for Grey Friar.

Looking back to The Old Man and Brim Fell, it looks like there has been an explosion up there!

It looks decidedly dull on the top of Grey Friar.

Cold Pike and Pike o' Blisco from Matterhorn Rock on Grey Friar.

The summit of Grey Friar, Harter Fell beyond.

Looking back to Grey Friar, which is now clear, from Fairfield - the col between Grey Friar and Great Carrs.

Grey Friar and Harter Fell from the memorial for the Canadian Air Force crew that crashed their Halifax Bomber here during World War 2. The Scafells, Crinkle Crag and Bowfell are covered by a thick blanket of cloud looking from Great Carrs. Casper on Swirl How. Descending Prison Band towards Wetherlam. Crinkle Crags and Bowfell are clearing now. Red Tarn and Pike o' Blisco from Prison Band. Levers Water and Great How Crags. Levers Water reflections. The Coniston fells and Coppermines Valley. Return to top Previous Walk 14th November 2007 Harter Fell Next Walk 22nd November 2007 Three Haweswater walks Grey Friar and Harter Fell from the memorial for the Canadian Air Force crew that crashed their Halifax Bomber here during World War 2. The Scafells, Crinkle Crag and Bowfell are covered by a thick blanket of cloud looking from Great Carrs. Casper on Swirl How. Descending Prison Band towards Wetherlam. Crinkle Crags and Bowfell are clearing now. Red Tarn and Pike o' Blisco from Prison Band. Levers Water and Great How Crags. Levers Water reflections. The Coniston fells and Coppermines Valley. Return to top Previous Walk 14th November 2007 Harter Fell Next Walk 22nd November 2007 Three Haweswater walks Grey Friar and Harter Fell from the memorial for the Canadian Air Force crew that crashed their Halifax Bomber here during World War 2.

The Scafells, Crinkle Crag and Bowfell are covered by a thick blanket of cloud looking from Great Carrs.

Casper on Swirl How.

Descending Prison Band towards Wetherlam.

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell are clearing now.

Red Tarn and Pike o' Blisco from Prison Band.

Levers Water and Great How Crags.

Levers Water reflections.

The Coniston fells and Coppermines Valley.

Coniston Round

Walked on 21/12/2006

Start point: Walna Scar road (SD 289 970)

Walna Scar road – Brown Pike – Buck Pike – Dow Crag – Goat’s Hawse – Coniston Old Man – Brim Fell– Levers Hawse – Great How – Grey Friar – Great Carrs – Swirl How – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse –Wetherlam – Red Dell – Boulder Valley – Walna Scar Road

Distance: 11.8 miles Total Ascent: 1320 metres Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: Cold and windy. 4oC.

That wasn’t supposed to happen! The weather was predicted to be the same as yesterday, blue skies and general loveliness above the clouds – however, rule #1 is there is no accounting for the weather. There was a strong wind and grey skies above the low lying fog with the upper clouds only clearing at the very end of the walk. This was a good long walk on the shortest day of the year and the fells were surprisingly busy today.

Walking along the Walna Scar road, we were quickly above the low lying cloud, here looking to Torver High Common.

At Cove Bridge, it was fairly obvious that this wasn't going to be a still blue sky temperature inversion day. Brown Pike is in the cloud beyond the bridge.

Coniston Old Man, the cloud sticking to the summit.

Once onto the Brown Pike - Buck Pike ridge the icy wind was really blowing up a gale. A fleeting gap in the clouds reveals Harter Fell.

Casper sticking his tongue out to the wind.

Looking back from Dow Crag to Buck Pike.

Descending from Dow Crag, the cloud clinging to Brim Fell.

Clear on The Old Man - for now, anyway!

The mist still hanging in the valleys to the south.

Grey Friar, Great Carrs, Swirl How and Brim Fell - all to be visited today.

Looking south over Goats Water in the lee of Dow Crag.

Looking south, Beacon Fell centre.

Approaching the summit of The Old Man.

The Old Man of Coniston.

The easterly view to the Furness Fells over Low Water shortly before being engulfed in cloud again. It was a cold, strong wind that blew walking along to Brim Fell and beyond.

Levers Water from Little How Crags after walking through the worst of the storm - but it was back into the mist for the climb to Grey Friar then Great Carrs and Swirl How.

Descending Prison Band to Black Sails and Wetherlam from Swirl How.

On the way to Wetherlam, the clouds parted and blue sky and sunshine appeared to the east. Behind, Coniston remained under brooding skies.

Pike o' Stickle from Wetherlam.

Looking north-east over Little Langdale.

The Langdales under a thick blanket of cloud, Blea Tarn centre.

The mist still clinging to the valleys.

Angus.

Casper.

The sky is ever clearing.

Looking back along the furrowed path to Wetherlam.

The southern end of Windermere still under a blanket of cloud.

Red Dell.

Crossing Levers Water Beck.

The Pudding Stone, Boulder Valley.

Looking over Coppermines Valley to Black Sails and Wetherlam.

Grey Friar

Walked on 13/05/2005

Start point: Troutal, Duddon Valley (SD 234 983)

Troutal – Seathwaite Tarn – Fairfield – Grey Friar – Troutal Fell – Troutal

Distance: 6.5 miles Total Ascent: 961 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Sunny with a strong, cold wind. 14°C.

The sun continued to shine for this morning’s ascent to the north-west cornerstone of the Coniston fells, Grey Friar. There was a strong, icy breeze blasting down from the fells across Seathwaite Tarn and it felt a lot colder than yesterday.

Grey Friar, standing apart from the main Coniston fells, gives magnificent, uninterrupted views of the Sca Fells and a great view of Harter Fell and westwards out to the coast and the Irish Sea.

Grey Friar route map.

3D image of the walk route.

Harter Fell from Troutal.

Looking along Seathwaite Tarn to Great How Crags.

Looking back along Seathwaite Tarn, Whitfell in the distance.

Wainwright's 'Big perched boulder. Calf Cove'.

Dow Crag and Brim Fell from Fairfield, the col between Grey Friar and Great Carrs.

The Langdale Pikes from the pointed boulder on Grey Friar.

The Sca Fells from Grey Friar.

Angus on a cold and windswept Grey Friar summit, Harter Fell and the west Cumbrian coast with Sellafield in view are behind.

Harter Fell.

Dow Crag over Seathwaite Tarn.

Caw and Stickle Pike along the Duddon Valley.

Coniston Tarns

Walked on 10/06/2004

Start point: Coniston (SD 304 976)

Coniston – Walna Scar road – Brown Pike (48) – Buck Pike on Seathwaite Fell (49) – Dow Crag (50) – Goat’s Hawse – Coniston Old Man (51) – Brim Fell (52) – Levers Hawse – Great How (53) – Grey Friar (54) – Little Carrs (55) – Hell Gill Pike (56) – Great Carrs (57) – Swirl How (58) – Prison Band – Swirl Hawse – Black Sails (59) – Wetherlam (60) – Coniston

It was amazing how many tarns and stretches of water could be seen on this Coniston Round; they are shown on this page.

Boo Tarn, just off the Walna Scar road. This was nothing more than reeds and marsh.

Blind Tarn seen from Buck Pike. It is named blind because there is no outlet.

Goat's Water from Goat's Hause. Coniston Water and Morecambe Bay can also be seen.

Low Water from The Old Man of Coniston with a glimpse of Levers Water to the north east.

Levers Water and Coniston Water from Great How Crags.

Red Tarn between Cold Pike and Pike O' Blisco from Grey Friar summit.

Seathwaite Tarn from below Swirl Band.

Esthwaite Water and Windermere from Wetherlam.

Greenburn Reservoir and Little Langdale Tarn from Little Carrs.