Coniston round via the Old Man up Swirl How: route map, distance and time
802 m · Cumbria
Swirl How is an 802m Coniston fell at the hub of the range, where the ridges from Wetherlam, Great Carrs and the Old Man of Coniston meet.
Climb The Old Man of Coniston from the village, then follow the broad stony ridge north over Brim Fell to Swirl How.
Coniston round via the Old Man at a glance
| Distance | 8.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 999 m |
| Time up | 3h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 5h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Coniston village |
| Start grid reference | SD 302 975 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 272 005 |
Coniston round via the Old Man map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Yewdale Inn0.0 km
- Crown Inn0.1 km
- Sun Hotel Pub0.2 km
- The Green Housekeeper0.1 km
- Herdwicks0.1 km
- Steam Bistro0.2 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets0.5 km
- Pier Cottage Caravan Park0.9 km
- Coniston Hall Campsite1.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Coniston round via the Old Man takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 20m | 5h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 4h 5m | 6h 10m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:08. Start by 12:08 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:06. Start by 12:06 to be down before dark, allowing 5h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Swirl How summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 16 mph gusting 20 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:08.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 41 mph gusting 51 mph, 67% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for Coniston round via the Old Man: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 20 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Swirl How forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Swirl How
Swirl How is an 802m Coniston fell at the hub of the range, where the ridges from Wetherlam, Great Carrs and the Old Man of Coniston meet. More about Swirl How, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Great Carrs (785 m), 0.4 km north-west
- Black Sails (745 m), 1 km east
- Grey Friar (773 m), 1.3 km west
- Wetherlam (763 m), 1.6 km east
- Brim Fell (796 m), 2 km south
- The Old Man of Coniston (802 m), 2.7 km south
Challenges that include Swirl How
More walks from Coniston village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Coniston via The Old Man up Brim Fell
- Coniston via the quarries and Low Water up The Old Man of Coniston
- Coniston via Lad Stones up Wetherlam
Other routes up Swirl How
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coniston via Levers Water and the Prison Band | 5.5 km one way | 748 m | 2h 20m | Moderate |
| Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge | 2.7 km one way | 424 m | 1h 15m | Moderate |
| Walna Scar via Goat's Water and Goats Hawse | 6.0 km one way | 770 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
| Wrynose via Wet Side Edge | 6.4 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SD 302 975, the summit at NY 272 005), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Coniston round via the Old Man: questions and answers
How far is Coniston round via the Old Man?
Coniston round via the Old Man is 8.3 km one way to the summit of Swirl How, with 999 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 16.6 km.
How long does Coniston round via the Old Man take?
About 3h 20m to the summit of Swirl How and 5h 0m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 6h 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Coniston round via the Old Man?
Coniston round via the Old Man starts from Coniston village. The grid reference is SD 302 975.
Is Coniston round via the Old Man suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Coniston round via the Old Man today?
By 12:08 at the latest. Sunset on Swirl How today is 18:08, Coniston round via the Old Man takes about 5h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Coniston round via the Old Man?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).