The Old Man of Coniston
Park at: Walna Scar Road Car Park (pay and display car park)
Distance: 5 mile circular route
Duration: 4 hours
Height: 802m / 2,633 ft
Wainwright height ranking: 34 of 214
1) Exit the car park near the entrance of the car park following the sign detailing 'Public Footpath Coniston Old Man 1 and 3/4 mile.
2) The path begins as a gentle ascent winding its way through a couple of rocky areas.
3) After around 45 minutes the path begins to ascend more steeply up through the old mining area passing disused quarry buildings and heaps of slate and rock.
4) Continue to follow the steep stony path and you will reach Low Water Tarn.
5) Follow the path left keeping Low Water on your right hand side. The path then begins to ascend more steeply, zig zagging its way to the summit.
6) The summit is marked with a trig point and a large cairn. Enjoy views of Dow Crag to the west. To the north Scafell Pike, Scafell and Skiddaw Little Man can be seen. To the east Helvellyn and Blencathra can be seen. If you're lucky enough to get a clear enough day, the Isle of Man can be seen out to sea and Blackpool Tower to the South.
7) Continue past the trig point bearing slightly left and descending towards the base of Dow Crag. A tarn called Goats Hawse fills the gap between Dow Crag and The Old Man of Coniston.
8) Don't begin to ascend up Dow Crag. Instead turn left and begin descending more steeply down towards Goats Hawse.
9) Follow this path past Goats Hawse keeping Goats Hawse on your right hand side. The path can be quite rocky in areas.
10) Once past Goats Hawse continue along the path for around half an hour before the path eventually joins the main path. Turn left onto the main path.
11) Follow this path back to Walna Scar Road Car Park keeping The Old Man of Coniston to your left. This should take about half an hour and the path is much more gentle.