“Ascending through the industrial scars of ancient copper and slate mines straight to the panoramic, windswept ridge of one of the Lake District’s most iconic peaks.”
The Track Up Walna Scar
The route sets off along the broad, gravelled track of Walna Scar Road. In the morning sun, the lower slopes are vibrant and green, with early viewpoints looking back across rolling fields toward the blue waters of Coniston Water stretching out in the distance.
As you work your way higher, the easy track begins to narrow into the open fell. Ahead, the massive, craggy wall of the Coniston range comes into sharp focus, cutting across a deep blue sky.
Climbing the Crags & Scree
Leaving the main track, the path turns directly toward the heart of the fell, carving through boulder-strewn grass and steepening quickly. Massive gritstone and slate boulders line the trail, giving a raw, alpine character to the climb as you gain height above the valley floor.
Reaching Goats Water
Breaching the high basin, the trail brings you face-to-face with Goats Water. Tucked neatly inside a massive, dark rock cirque directly beneath the summit cliffs, the mountain tarn looks striking in the bright sunlight. The stillness of the deep water offers a great natural pitstop before taking on the steep zigzags to the top.
The Summit Ridge & High Vistas
The final push from Goat’s Water is relentless, following tight stone-pitched switchbacks that rapidly gain elevation. Looking out across the surrounding ridges, the views open up dramatically. Dramatic drop-offs, scree gullies, and neighbouring Wainwright fells stretch out endlessly under the summer sun.
Standing up on the high ridge, you get an incredible 360-degree vantage point across the entire Lake District landscape—from the distant mountain peaks right down to the valley lakes and coastal plains.
Behind the Images
- Location: Old Man of Coniston, Low Water, and the historic slate/copper mining quarries.
- Conditions: Sun-drenched, clear blue skies with crisp, high-altitude visibility stretching across the fells and out toward the coast.
- Focus: Juxtaposing the open, grass-lined valley tracks with the steep, exposed rock faces, deep tarn waters, and massive slate scree slopes.
- Note: The wide panoramic framing across Goats Water and the summit ridges highlights the sheer height gained on this climb, giving a brilliant sense of scale against the Lakeland landscape.
Walk Summary — Old Man of Coniston & Low Water Loop
- Distance: ~7.5 km / 4.6 miles
- Elevation Gain: ~576m / 1,890 ft
- Duration: 2.5 – 3.5 hours
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (A steady, continuous climb over rocky, slate-heavy paths with steep zigzags up to the high ridge)
- Start Point: Walna Scar Road Car Park / Coniston
- Route Type: Circular
📥 Download the Route Map & GPX
Ready to take on this Lake District classic and explore the high tarns and slate ridges for yourself? Download the verified GPX map data directly to your device here:
👉 [Download Old Man of Coniston & Goats Water Loop GPX – Hiiker](https://hiiker.app/hikes/users/old-man-of-coniston-and-low-water-loop–1933022760)
follow link and click on download
Join the Conversation! Is the Old Man of Coniston your top Lake District fell, or do you prefer the quieter routes further north? Drop your favorite Lakeland trek in the comments below! 👇