Wrynose 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 hard mountain walk to the summit from Low Tilberthwaite National Trust car park.
Wrynose via Wet Side Edge starts at about 151 m and gains 813 m over 6.4 km to 775 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 204 m (20%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 204 m at an average of 20%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.4 km at about 27%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top. About 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Wrynose via Wet Side Edge at a glance
| Distance | 6.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 813 m up, 185 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 151 m to 779 m (summit 802 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 27%, from 0.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 22% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Low Tilberthwaite National Trust car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 306 010 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 272 005 |
| Parking | Low Tilberthwaite National Trust car park |
Wrynose via Wet Side Edge map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Wrynose via Wet Side Edge GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Wrynose via Wet Side Edge kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 355 m | +204 m | 20% steep | NY 302 016 |
| 2 km | 208 m | -146 m | -15% | NY 295 023 |
| 3 km | 373 m | +165 m | 17% | NY 286 025 |
| 4 km | 514 m | +140 m | 14% | NY 277 022 |
| 5 km | 661 m | +147 m | 15% | NY 270 016 |
| 6 km | 751 m | +90 m | 9% | NY 270 007 |
| 6.4 km | 775 m | +23 m | 6% | NY 272 005 |
How long Wrynose via Wet Side Edge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 3h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 15m | 4h 50m |
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.
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 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 Low Tilberthwaite National Trust car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Wrynose via Wet Side Edge up Great Carrs
- Wrynose via Wet Side Edge up Grey Friar
- Tilberthwaite via Wetherlam Edge 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 |
| Coniston round via the Old Man | 8.3 km one way | 999 m | 3h 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 |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 306 010, 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 via Wet Side Edge: questions and answers
How far is Wrynose via Wet Side Edge?
Wrynose via Wet Side Edge is 6.4 km one way to the summit of Swirl How. There and back by the same way is about 12.8 km.
How steep is Wrynose via Wet Side Edge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 27%, starting 0.4 km from the start, and 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Wrynose via Wet Side Edge climbs 813 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Wrynose via Wet Side Edge?
Wrynose via Wet Side Edge starts from Low Tilberthwaite National Trust car park. The grid reference is NY 306 010. Low Tilberthwaite National Trust car park
Is Wrynose via Wet Side Edge suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Coniston via Levers Water and the Prison Band.
Is there a GPX for Wrynose via Wet Side Edge?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.