Southern Fells · Book 4

Coniston Old Man

Coniston Old Man is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 802 m (2,631 ft) it is the joint 31st highest of the 214 and the joint 8th highest in the Southern Fells.

Height: 802 m; 2,631 ft
Rank: =31; of 214
In area: =8; of 30
Difficulty: Moderate

Coniston Old Man in the Southern Fells of the Lake District — Photo: slippymark

About Coniston Old Man

The Coniston skyline’s signature summit, with quarry scars, broad terraces and grand views over Coniston Water and the southern fells. Often linked with Brim Fell and Swirl How for a classic horseshoe. A big, satisfying hill with history baked into the stone.

The busiest start is the Walna Scar Road car park, where the tarmac ends above Coniston village. Space there is limited and it fills early at weekends. Otherwise use the village car parks on Ruskin Avenue or the Bluebird car and coach park. Coniston also has a bus service from Windermere and Ambleside.

The tourist route from the village goes up the lane past the Sun Inn and into Coppermines Valley beside Church Beck. A quarry track then climbs through old slate workings, past ruined buildings and spoil heaps, to Low Water, a corrie tarn under the summit. The last section zigzags steeply up the shoulder above the tarn. From the Walna Scar car park a path heads north through the bracken to join the same track.

For a quieter climb, follow the stony Walna Scar Road west and fork up to Goat's Water, under the cliffs of Dow Crag. Climb to Goat's Hawse and turn east for the last rise to the top. Neither route needs your hands, only a tolerance for loose slate and one steep pull.

The summit is a slate platform with a big cairn. On a clear day you can see Morecambe Bay, Blackpool Tower and the Isle of Man, but the best of the view is nearer: the cliffs of Dow Crag, across the hollow that holds Goat's Water. Swirl How, along the ridge over Brim Fell, is effectively the same height.

Slate has been quarried on this fell since the Middle Ages, and the Old Man's quarries grew into some of the largest in England. The copper mines in the valley went down around 2,000 feet. The tourist path climbs straight through what both industries left behind.

In winter

The steep zigzags above Low Water are the part of the tourist route that ices first, and old snow lies on the quarry path long after the village has thawed. The broad ridge north to Brim Fell has few features in cloud, so take a bearing before you leave the summit.

Great Views
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Family Walk
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Old Man of Coniston, The Coppermines: Five Coniston Old Man routes. Updated 22 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: SD 272 978
Latitude: 54.37065° N
Longitude: 3.12142° W
Area: Southern Fells

Walking up Coniston Old Man

The nearest car park on foot is Coppermines and Old Man Car Park, 3.3 km (2.0 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Coppermines and Old Man Car Park

Distance: 3.3 km; 2.0 miles, one way
Ascent: 629 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 38 min; Allow 1 to 3 hours

Height in metres along the path from Coppermines and Old Man Car Park to the summit.

Times use Naismith’s rule, 5 km/h on the flat plus extra time for the climb, with Langmuir’s corrections. It’s a rule of thumb for the way up only, so add stops, weather and the walk back down.

The route follows paths mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors and isn’t a guided line. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Coniston Old Man questions

Is Coniston Old Man a Wainwright?

Yes. Coniston Old Man is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 4, The Southern Fells.

How high is Coniston Old Man?

Coniston Old Man is 802 metres (2,631 feet) high. That makes it the joint 31st highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the joint 8th highest in the Southern Fells.

Where do you park for Coniston Old Man?

The nearest car park on foot is Coppermines and Old Man Car Park, 3.3 km (2.0 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Coniston Old Man?

From Coppermines and Old Man Car Park it is 3.3 km with 629 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 38 min, so allow 1 to 3 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Coniston Old Man?

Upfell rates Coniston Old Man as moderate. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Coniston Old Man?

The closest are Brim Fell (796 m, 0.8 km N), Dow Crag (778 m, 1.0 km W) and Swirl How (802 m, 2.7 km N).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Coniston Old Man?

The summit is at OS grid reference SD 272 978, or 54.37065, -3.12142 in latitude and longitude.