Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge 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.
A grassy ridge rises from the pass to Great Carrs, then a short walk along the edge reaches Swirl How.
Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge at a glance
| Distance | 2.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 424 m |
| Time up | 1h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Wrynose Pass summit |
| Start grid reference | NY 276 026 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 272 005 |
Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge 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
How long Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 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 07:48, sunset 18:06. Start by 15:21 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 15:18 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Swirl How summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today 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.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Moderate rain, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 25 mph gusting 31 mph, 88% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 34 mph and a 57% 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 -2°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 67% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 51 mph.
- 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 Wrynose Pass summit
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wrynose Pass via Red Tarn up Cold Pike
- Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge up Great Carrs
- Wrynose Pass via Great Carrs up Grey Friar
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 |
| Coniston round via the Old Man | 8.3 km one way | 999 m | 3h 20m | 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 NY 276 026, 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.
Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge: questions and answers
How far is Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge?
Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge is 2.7 km one way to the summit of Swirl How, with 424 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.4 km.
How long does Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge take?
About 1h 15m to the summit of Swirl How and 1h 45m 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 2h 10m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge?
Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge starts from Wrynose Pass summit. The grid reference is NY 276 026.
Is Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge 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 Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge today?
By 15:21 at the latest. Sunset on Swirl How today is 18:06, Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge takes about 1h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Wrynose Pass via Wet Side Edge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).