The Coniston Fells form a tightly knit group of hills that rise between the higher reaches of the Duddon Valley and the Coniston to Skelwith Bridge road through Yewdale. Their scenery is typically Lakeland in character with steep craggy slopes and mountain combs cradling tarns of special quality; despite in most cases having been impounded to supply power to the former mines. The ridges once attained are a joy to tread opening up excellent views, and providing a succession of dramatic and interesting highlights to enjoy. Wrynose Pass to the north is the only link with the central mass of fells; the encircling valleys enhancing the appearance of the Coniston hills when seen at a distance, and also giving the outward views a special advantage. Nothing dominates the Coniston Fells, not even Bowfell or the Scafells seen to perfection from Grey Friar. Over the years mines and quarries have left their mark, but the hills proudly rise above the spoil and ruins which do in fact add an extra interest to the walks here. Of the many grand scenes within the area pre-eminent must be the great cliff of Dow Crag rising above the wild recess holding Goats Water to the very summit of the fell. As seen in storm from the edge of the tarn the scene is quite awe inspiring. Walkers must take reasonable care when in the vicinity of the old workings, and refrain from entering levels that often lead to vertical shafts, and may well be unsafe in any case. It is much more preferable that time be spent traversing the main ridge from Coniston Old Man to Swirl How along the rim above Low Water, Levers Water and ultimately looking down to Little Langdale. Wetherlam too has several excellent lines of ascent, and it's favourable position commands the lower country around the head of Windermere. The Walna Scar track from Coniston to Seathwaite marks the southern boundary beyond which the high ground continues over White Maiden before declining in stages to Caw and the mountains in miniature around Stickle Pike that make up the next section. Sadly the Walna Scar road has suffered badly in recent times due to off the road vehicles, and is not the pleasant approach to the hills it used to be. As with the remains of the mines the best thing to do is ?Lift thine eyes unto the hills' and they will give promise of the rewards awaiting. The number of walkers met on the Coniston Fells confirms the high regard people have for them, and rightly so!

ROUTE ONE. SWIRL HOW FROM LITTLE LANGDALE VIA GREAT CARRS.
4.25 miles 2400ft of ascent. 3.75 miles 2250ft of ascent to Great Carrs

   First of all go down to Slaters Bridge either by the track to High Birk Howe, or the lane adjacent to the Three Shires Inn. Look for a stile on the right in the lane through which a field path leads to the bridge. Cross the bridge to the walled track and follow it right past some cottages. A track leading to Tilberthwaite is passed, but a short way afterwards bear left to Greenburn as the other begins to descend to Fell Foot. At the intake wall go down to cross the footbridge and ascend the path to the ridge. Marshy at first this improves higher up despite being called Wet Side Edge. Take care to turn left up to Little Carrs as a prominent path keeps ahead for Grey Friar. Some fine views down the face into Greenburn are seen and the final stages to the cairn on Great Carrs are good. A simple curving ridge connects with Swirl How, but pause to look at the remains of the plane and down the Greenburn face to see more of the wreckage. Wetherlam is the obvious way back to Little Langdale reached by going down Prison band to Swirl Hause and up the facing slope. It is not advisable having reached the bottom of Wetherlam Edge to follow the path marked in green on the map. This like others of it's kind does not mean a path exists, and it is better to cross Birk Fell to join the path near Low Fell (Great Intake) where drop down left to the valley.

ROUTE TWO. SWIRL HOW FROM TILBERTHWAITE VIA LOW FELL, WETHERLAM AND BLACK SAILS.
3.5 miles 2950ft of ascent.

  At Low Tilberthwaite start as usual up the track round the cottages, but before the stream is crossed and the path starts up Tilberthwaite Gill turn up a path on the right. This steeply ascends the ridge east of the stream with a wall for company and at last levels out with Low Fell now just ahead. Keep on to a cross wall where a stile on the right enables a footing to be made onto Low Fell. A path leads over a wet area to the summit structure which is an attractive place commanding a splendid view over Blea Tarn to the Langdale Pikes. Return to the stile and follow the opposite wall up to a further stile when the slopes of Birk Fell may be tackled. The undulating top is succeeded by a rough steep climb up the ridge of Wetherlam Edge which is enjoyable apart from under icy conditions. The summit should be left south west to cross Red Dell Head for Black Sails. The main path omits this fine top which is well worth a visit. Leave Black Sails down the northern slope to rejoin the track which crosses Swirl Hause and ascends the rocky ridge of Prison Band to Swirl How. Tilberthwaite is not easily reached from Swirl How, and one of the options for the return is to go over Great Carrs and down Wet Side Edge into Greenburn. Take the track to the right just before the cottages at Hall Garth are reached. Sadly it may be badly cut up by off road traffic. Wetherlam is the shortest way back but involves a little more ascent. The ridge of Lad Stones is an alternative from here to meet the miners track from Coppermines to Tilberthwaite.

ROUTE THREE. SWIRL HOW FROM CONISTON VIA CONISTON OLD MAN AND BRIM FELL.
4.5 miles 2925ft of ascent.

   I have not intended to reduce Coniston Old Man to a lesser status. It will always be the main attraction for walkers at Coniston. However Swirl How is the natural hub of the group, and it fits the purpose here to have it as the final objective. Either side of Church Beck can be taken from the village; though I prefer the narrow lane from the main road to the Sun Hotel where turn right at the signpost. Keep left at Miners Bridge and ascend to meet the track coming in from the Walna Scar Road. A few paces on bear straight up into the quarries which may not be pretty but have interesting remains. Low Water is a scenic delight before the last rough ascent to the Old Man's summit. It is now merely a matter of keeping to the ridge, and it's highway of a path over Brim Fell and Great How Crags to Swirl How. The most direct route back is down Prison Band to Swirl Hause where turn right and descend to Levers Water and the Coppermines Valley.

ROUTE FOUR. ?SWIRL HOW FROM WALNA SCAR VIA BROWN PIKE, DOW CRAG, CONISTON OLD MAN AND BRIM FELL.
7 miles 3400ft of ascent from Coniston. 6.5 miles 3250ft of ascent from Seathwaite.

    From Coniston the Walna Scar Road climbs steeply behind Dixon Ground near the former railway station now a car park. It is walled until the intake gate and cars may be parked here on the open common. The track continues ahead eventually coming to Cove Bridge before climbing steadily to the pass. The start of the Walna Scar Road from Seathwaite is a narrow lane immediately before the road crosses Seathwaite Bridge over Tarn Beck, and a few cars may be left above Long house. At the summit of the Walna Scar Road a broad path ascends the short slope on the northern side to the stony top of Brown Pike. Resume the journey along the ridge noting Blind Tarn below, and later the various heads of the gullies on Dow Crag. The cairned top of Buck Pike is passed on the way. A little scramble up the rocks leads to the small basin on the highest point directly above the great crag. With care an exit can be made on the north side, but if a head for heights is lacking circle round the western side to pick up the path below the summit rocks. The path now circles round the combe containing Goats Water, and ascends steeply at first before a more gradual slope brings the Old Man underfoot. A short cut can be made from Goats Hause across the flank of Brim Fell to Levers Hause. As on Route Three it only remains to follow the ridge path from the Old Man over Brim Fell and the depression of Levers Hause. A climb to Great How Crags is the final test of energy levels before a more gentle promenade to the large cairn on Swirl How. For Seathwaite it is possible to drop down from Levers Hause to Seathwaite Tarn. If time and energy permits go round to Grey Friar, and take the path from there down to the tarn. To Coniston the descent mentioned in Route Three applies.

ROUTE FIVE. SWIRL HOW FROM SEATHWAITE VIA GREY FRIAR AND
GREAT CARRS
5 miles 2650ft of ascent

    Just before the road crosses Tarn Beck north of Seathwaite the Walna Scar Road branches off on the right. The Seathwaite Reservoir service road begins at the head of the surfaced lane ascending left for a good mile to the dam. Walk across the dam and look ahead for a path going up to Troutal Fell between Loft Rigg How and Tarn Brow. Though not shown on the O S map this path continues above Goat Crag; finally curving up to the summit of Grey Friar which has two cairns on rock outcrops. After admiring the view to the Scafells take the ridge path north east down to the grassy depression of Fairfield, and take the central one of three paths up the slope of Great Carrs. At the moment this path fades before the top is reached. The last lap to Swirl How is merely a matter of walking round the top of Broad Slack noting the aeroplane wreckage below, and the remains and plaque on the ridge. It is quite feasible to go down into Calf Cove for Seathwaite Tarn in descent, but the area above the reservoir is not exactly well frequented. The royal way back for good walkers would be along the ridge to the Old Man, and then a traverse round to Dow Crag and Brown Pike for Walna Scar.