Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water up The Old Man of Coniston: route map, distance and time
802 m · Cumbria
The Old Man of Coniston is the highest of the Coniston fells, a popular climb from Coniston village past old slate quarries and Low Water.
Follow the Walna Scar Road and climb past Goat's Water to Goat's Hawse, then turn east to the summit.
Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water at a glance
| Distance | 3.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 422 m |
| Time up | 1h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Walna Scar Road car park, above Coniston |
| Start grid reference | SD 268 964 |
| Summit grid reference | SD 272 978 |
Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water 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 Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 35m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 25m |
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 15:13 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:06. Start by 15:11 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
The Old Man of Coniston summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 22 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 42 mph gusting 53 mph, 48% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 22 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Cloud inversion tomorrow morning: 18% (Low), best around 07:00. 7-day inversion outlook.
Hour-by-hour The Old Man of Coniston forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb The Old Man of Coniston?
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 -4°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 The Old Man of Coniston
The Old Man of Coniston is the highest of the Coniston fells, a popular climb from Coniston village past old slate quarries and Low Water. More about The Old Man of Coniston, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Brim Fell (796 m), 0.8 km north
- Dow Crag (778 m), 1 km west
- Walna Scar (621 m), 2.1 km south-west
- Swirl How (802 m), 2.7 km north
- Grey Friar (773 m), 2.8 km north-west
- White Maiden (613 m), 2.8 km south-west
Challenges that include The Old Man of Coniston
Other routes up The Old Man of Coniston
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coniston via the quarries and Low Water | 4.2 km one way | 743 m | 2h 5m | Moderate |
| Walna Scar via Low Water | 3.1 km one way | 580 m | 1h 35m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SD 268 964, the summit at SD 272 978), 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.
Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water: questions and answers
How far is Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water?
Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water is 3.1 km one way to the summit of The Old Man of Coniston, with 422 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.2 km.
How long does Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water take?
About 1h 20m to the summit of The Old Man of Coniston and 1h 55m 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 25m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water?
Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water starts from Walna Scar Road car park, above Coniston. The grid reference is SD 268 964.
Is Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water 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 Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water today?
By 15:13 at the latest. Sunset on The Old Man of Coniston today is 18:08, Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water takes about 1h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Walna Scar Road via Goat's Water?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).