If you would like an expert walking guide to accompany you on this walk Boot Routes can help…
This walk starts at the car park at the bottom of Walna Scar at Grid Ref SD 28894 97043. From Coniston village head up Station Road, then keep going up the steep hill until you get to the gate, please close it after you. Last time I was here a couple of years ago parking was free but there are plans afoot to put ticket machines in the car park, so be mindful that you may need some change for a parking ticket.
From the car park continue up Walna Scar Road, an old pack horse track where you can gain height gradually whilst enjoying the views South over Morecambe Bay. About half way up, you will cross over Torver Brigde, yes it is a spelling mistake on the map, and only Ordnance Survey can confirm whether it is a deliberate mistake. (Recently rectified)
Once you have taken the mandatory photo of the bridge continue on the track where you will eventually arrive at the col between Walna Scar and Brown Pike. It’s only a short walk up to the top of Walna Scar and although it’s not a Wainwright it is the highest of the outlying fells of Lakeland, and worth the short detour.
From Walna Scar drop back down to the Col and make the steep climb up to the summit of Brown Pike at 682 metres, and enjoy the stunning view over The Cove to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston. Continue North to Buck Pike and eventually Dow Crag at 778 metres, and your first wainwright of the day. Enjoy the views down the gullies but be careful here as there are some big drops.
From the summit of Dow Crag continue North and drop down to Goat’s Hawse, and make the steep climb straight up to the summit cairn of Brim Fell at 796 metres. From here it is an easy walk South on the ridge line with Low Water in the valley down to your left and then onto the summit trig of the Old Man your highest point of the day.
From the trig find the path that drops steeply down towards the disused quarries and Low Water. Continue through the old quarries until you get to a crossroad of footpaths (Grid Ref SD 28456 98095) where you will need to turn right and walk on the path back to the car park keeping the little hill called The Bell to your left.
This is definitely one of my favourite walks, difficulty level is Moderate and it’s a walk that I use to assess peoples fitness and skill levels before venturing into more extreme terrain with them. Distance is about 11 km (6.8 miles) and should take you about 4 hours. If desired you can miss out Brim Fell and head straight up the Old Man from Goat’s Hawse.
