The Old Man of Coniston rising above Coniston Water, Lake District
Southern Lakes · 5 hand-picked walks

Coniston Walks

Coniston sits beneath the Old Man — one of England's most-loved fells — in a landscape shaped by centuries of copper and slate mining. From the big summit day to gentle lakeshore and mine-valley walks, here's the hand-picked guide, with distance, parking, routes and dog info for each.

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A hand-picked guide

The best walks from Coniston

Coniston is a serious fell town built on copper and slate, and the Old Man of Coniston dominates everything — a mine-scarred mountain above mountain tarns and a famous lake. This is a hand-picked guide to the best walks from Coniston, with distance, time, parking, start points and dog-friendly info for each. Begin with the gentle Coniston Water and Monk Coniston lakeshore; step up to the dramatic Coppermines Valley, Levers Water and the ancient Walna Scar Road; then take on the Old Man of Coniston itself — the most-climbed high fell in the Lakes, and a brilliant first summit. Several of these spots are also swims — see the wild swimming guide for Coppermines, Levers Water and Goat's Water.

Showing all 5 walks.

Easy

Easy walks from Coniston

The lakeshore path along Coniston Water, Coniston, Lake District
The Monk Coniston end of Coniston Water near Coniston, Lake District

Coniston Water & Monk Coniston

Gentle lakeshore · flat & family-friendly

Easy

Distance

2–4 mi (route-dependent)

Time

1–2 hrs

Ascent

Low / flat

Terrain

Lakeshore paths

Gentle, flat lakeshore walking below the Old Man — the easiest day out in Coniston and ideal for families. The Monk Coniston end at the north-east shore is National Trust land and also the approach to Tarn Hows, while the lakeside paths give quiet water views and the chance of spotting the steam yacht Gondola. This is real Ruskin and Swallows & Amazons country — Arthur Ransome based his books on the lake. A lovely, undemanding first walk; dog-friendly throughout. For the lake as an attraction and the Gondola, see the Coniston hub; for Tarn Hows, see the Hawkshead walks.

Start: Coniston village / the pier (Coniston Boating Centre), or the Monk Coniston car park at the north-east end of the lake

Parking: Coniston village car parks, or Monk Coniston car park (NT, pay & display)

Find it: Search "Monk Coniston car park" in Google Maps

Nearest pub / refuel

Nearest pub: to confirm — being added in the pub-research pass.

Dog-friendly Lake views Circular options Not a Wainwright
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Moderate

Moderate walks from Coniston

The mine-scarred Coppermines Valley above Coniston, Lake District
Church Beck waterfalls on the Coppermines Valley walk, Coniston, Lake District

Coppermines Valley

Mine-scarred valley · waterfalls & history

Moderate

Distance

3–4 mi out-and-back / loop

Time

2–2.5 hrs

Ascent

Moderate

Terrain

Track, beck-side path

The dramatic, mine-scarred valley climbing above the village — one of the most important copper-mining sites in the country, worked since Elizabethan times. The walk follows Church Beck past its waterfalls and over Miners Bridge to the Youth Hostel and the old Coppermines cottages, with huge industrial-archaeology interest in the ruins all around. A 3–4 mile there-and-back or loop from the village that you can extend up to Levers Water. Dog-friendly, but keep dogs and children under close control near the old workings. Coppermines is also a wild-swimming spot — see the wild swimming guide rather than swimming on a walking day.

Start: Coniston village centre, up the track beside the Black Bull, over Miners Bridge into the valley

Parking: Coniston village car parks — Ruskin Avenue or Bluebird Car & Coach Park (cash/card/app). Note: the old "Old Man & Coppermines" car park is closed

Find it: Search "Coniston Coppermines Valley" in Google Maps · walkable from the village

Nearest pub / refuel

Nearest pub: to confirm — being added in the pub-research pass.

Dog-friendly (control) Mining history Waterfalls (Church Beck) Not a summit
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Levers Water tarn ringed by crags below the Old Man of Coniston, Lake District
The path up to Levers Water above the Coppermines Valley, Coniston, Lake District

Levers Water

Mountain tarn · above the Coppermines

Moderate

Distance

4–5 mi loop

Time

2.5–3.5 hrs

Ascent

Moderate–steep

Terrain

Mine tracks, fell path

The reservoir-tarn at the head of the Coppermines Valley, sitting cold and clear in a bowl of crags below the Old Man's ridge. Reached on a 4–5 mile loop from the village via the Coppermines, it's a wonderful "high but not a summit" objective and a natural step up from the valley walk. From the tarn you can extend onto the Old Man itself for a bigger day, or simply enjoy the dramatic mountain setting and turn back. Moderate, with a steady climb above the mines. Dog-friendly under control. Levers Water is also a well-known swim spot — see the wild swimming guide.

Start: Coniston village, up through the Coppermines Valley (over Miners Bridge), then the track to the tarn

Parking: Coniston village car parks — Ruskin Avenue or Bluebird Car & Coach Park (cash/card/app)

Find it: Search "Levers Water, Coniston" in Google Maps

Nearest pub / refuel

Nearest pub: to confirm — being added in the pub-research pass.

Dog-friendly (control) Mountain tarn Loop · extends to Old Man Not a summit
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The ancient Walna Scar Road packhorse track out of Coniston, Lake District
Goat's Water below Dow Crag, reached from the Walna Scar Road, Coniston, Lake District

Walna Scar Road

Ancient packhorse pass · Goat's Water & Dow Crag

Moderate

Distance

4–6 mi (route-dependent)

Time

2.5–4 hrs

Ascent

Moderate (high track)

Terrain

Stony pass, fell path

The ancient packhorse route and pass heading west out of Coniston — a classic gentle-but-high track that climbs steadily to give a real mountain feel without a summit scramble. It opens up access to Goat's Water, the dark tarn tucked beneath the cliffs of Dow Crag, and to the Old Man's southern approaches. It's the perfect "high but not a summit" day, dramatic and quiet, and links naturally into the longer Old Man loop. Moderate going on a stony, well-used track. Dog-friendly, on a lead near livestock. Goat's Water is also a wild-swimming spot — see the wild swimming guide.

Start: Walna Scar car park, the high trailhead above the village (grid SD 289 970)

Parking: Walna Scar car park (~70 spaces) — drive up Station Road / Walna Scar Lane, which is narrow, steep and single-track; arrive before 10am. Or village car parks (Ruskin Avenue / Bluebird) and walk up

Find it: Search "Walna Scar car park, Coniston" in Google Maps (postcodes only reach the LA21 area — use the car park name)

Nearest pub / refuel

Nearest pub: to confirm — being added in the pub-research pass.

Dog-friendly (lead) Ancient packhorse route Goat's Water & Dow Crag Not a summit (links to Old Man)
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Difficult

Difficult fells & mountain days from Coniston

The summit of the Old Man of Coniston, Lake District
Low Water tarn on the direct route up the Old Man of Coniston, Lake District

The Old Man of Coniston

The iconic summit · 803 m · the great beginner's high fell

Difficult

Distance

5–6 mi (direct route)

Time

3–4 hrs

Summit

803 m (2,633 ft) · ~700 m ascent

Terrain

Steep, rocky near the top

Can a beginner climb the Old Man of Coniston? Yes. At 803m (2,633ft) it's one of the most climbed and most loved fells in the Lakes, and the most popular high-fell first-timer of all — a solid challenge rather than a technical scramble. Reckon on roughly 5–6 miles, 3–4 hours and about 700m of ascent on the direct route, with steep, rocky sections near the top. The mountain is dotted with old quarry workings and two splendid tarns, Low Water and Goat's Water, with views to the Isle of Man and the sea on a clear day. Wainwright wrote of it being "cruelly scarred… yet still raises his proud and venerable head." Difficult, and a real mountain — a weather check is essential. Dog-OK under control (mine workings, sheep).

A real mountain. Achievable for fit beginners in good conditions, but check the mountain forecast, wear proper footwear and carry layers, food and water — there are steep, rocky sections near the summit.
Why "Old Man"? The name most likely comes from the old Celtic/Brittonic for a summit or cairn — "alt maen", meaning high stone.

Two main routes: (a) the direct route up past Low Water — short, steep and the classic ascent; (b) the longer Walna Scar → Goat's Water → Dow Crag → Old Man loop, a more spectacular ridge. Connect them for a circuit.

Start: Walna Scar car park (high trailhead, grid SD 289 970), or Coniston village walking up to Fell Gate

Parking: Walna Scar car park (~70 spaces) — up Station Road / Walna Scar Lane, narrow, steep and single-track; arrive before 10am. Or village car parks (Ruskin Avenue / Bluebird Car & Coach Park, cash/card/app) plus an uphill walk. The old "Old Man & Coppermines" car park is closed

Find it: Search "Walna Scar car park, Coniston" in Google Maps (rural postcodes only reach the LA21 area — use the car park name)

Nearest pub / refuel

Nearest pub: to confirm — being added in the pub-research pass.

Dog-OK (control) Tarns & sea views Circular (via Dow Crag) Wainwright (803 m)
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Keep exploring

More walks & nearby guides

Coniston connects to the best of the southern Lakes — the swims in the mine valleys, the caves at nearby Little Langdale, and the neighbouring walking villages.

Cool off

Wild swimming

Coppermines, Levers Water and Goat's Water — the best swims around Coniston.

Wild swimming guide
Nearby

Cathedral Cave & Hodge Close

The slate caverns of Little Langdale, just over on the Coniston side.

Caves guide
Next valley

Hawkshead walks

Tarn Hows and the gentle walks around Hawkshead and Esthwaite.

Hawkshead walks
The full guide

All Lake District walks

Browse the best walks across the region by difficulty, type and area.

Lake District walks hub
Windermere walks Ambleside walks Bowness walks Grasmere walks Hawkshead walks Kendal walks Back to Coniston hub

Plan your whole Coniston day around a walk

Free, no sign-up. Tell the planner which walk you fancy, your transport and the weather — it builds a timed day around it, with parking, lunch and bus times sorted.

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Common questions

Coniston walks, answered

Can a beginner climb the Old Man of Coniston?
Yes. The Old Man of Coniston (803m / 2,633ft) is the most popular first high fell in the Lakes — a big but achievable mountain, a real challenge rather than a technical scramble. The direct route up past Low Water is roughly 5–6 miles with about 700m of ascent, taking 3–4 hours. There are steep, rocky sections near the top, so wear proper footwear, carry layers and food, and check the mountain forecast before you set off.
How long does the Old Man of Coniston take?
Allow about 3–4 hours for the direct ascent and descent — roughly 5–6 miles with around 700m of ascent. The longer Walna Scar, Goat's Water, Dow Crag and Old Man loop takes longer and is more spectacular, so allow a full half-day or more.
Where do you park for the Old Man of Coniston?
The high trailhead is Walna Scar car park (grid SD 289 970, around 70 spaces), reached by driving up Station Road, which becomes the narrow, steep, single-track Walna Scar Lane — drive with care and arrive before 10am as it fills early. Alternatively, park in the village at Ruskin Avenue or the Bluebird Car & Coach Park (cash, card and app) and walk up to Fell Gate. Note: the old "Old Man & Coppermines" car park has been closed for some time — please don't head there.
Why is it called the Old Man of Coniston?
The name most likely comes from the old Celtic/Brittonic for a summit or cairn — "alt maen", meaning high stone. Over the centuries that became "Old Man". Wainwright wrote of the fell being "cruelly scarred" by its quarries "yet still raises his proud and venerable head".
What is there to see at Coppermines Valley?
The Coppermines Valley above Coniston is one of the most important copper-mining sites in the country, worked since Elizabethan times. The walk passes mine ruins, the waterfalls of Church Beck, the Youth Hostel and Coppermines cottages, with Levers Water reservoir-tarn at the head of the valley. There's huge industrial-archaeology interest — keep dogs and children under control near the old workings.
Are there easy walks around Coniston Water?
Yes — the Monk Coniston end at the north-east shore (National Trust, also the approach to Tarn Hows) and the lakeshore paths give flat, family-friendly walking with Ruskin and Swallows & Amazons associations. Easy and dog-friendly.
Are there dog-friendly walks in Coniston?
Yes — all the walks on this page are dog-friendly. Keep dogs under close control near the old mine workings in the Coppermines Valley and around Levers Water, and on a lead near livestock on the fells and during lambing season.