Old Man Coniston

This was a full-value Lake District day from Coniston, starting at Ruskin Avenue car park and building from a gentle warm-up onto a long high-level round packed with classic summits. After the two-hour drive it was nice to ease into the walk by heading first to The Bell, a smaller fell that gave a great introduction to the day and some beautiful early views across to the Old Man.

From The Bell, the route dropped back down before joining the main path towards Low Water and climbing steadily up to the summit of the Old Man of Coniston. After lunch on top, the walk continued along the high ground to Brim Fell, then on to Levers Hawse and Great How Crags. From Swirl How, Great Carrs looked too good to ignore, so I made the extra out-and-back across to it before climbing back up to Swirl How to continue the round.

Rather than heading straight down, I added Wetherlam on the return as well, partly because it made sense from the line of the route, and partly to tick off another Wainwright. The descent then led back down past the old Coppermines workings and into Coniston town.