Walna Scar via Low 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.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Walna Scar car park, Coniston.
Walna Scar via Low Water starts at about 226 m and gains 545 m over 3.1 km to 775 m on the track. The first kilometre climbs 65 m. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 245 m at an average of 25%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.5 km at about 33%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top. About 47% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Walna Scar via Low Water at a glance
| Distance | 3.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 580 m |
| Climb on the track | 545 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 224 m to 775 m (summit 802 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 2.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 47% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Walna Scar car park, Coniston |
| Start grid reference | SD 288 970 |
| Summit grid reference | SD 272 978 |
| Parking | Walna Scar car park, Coniston |
Walna Scar via Low Water 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
- The Ship Inn1.1 km
- Sun Hotel Pub1.3 km
- The Yewdale Inn1.4 km
- The Green Housekeeper1.5 km
- Park Coppice1.5 km
- Herdwicks1.5 km
- Public toilets1.4 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
- Coniston Hall Campsite1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Walna Scar via Low Water 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.
Walna Scar via Low Water 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 | 291 m | +65 m | 7% | SD 284 978 |
| 2 km | 520 m | +230 m | 23% steep | SD 277 980 |
| 3 km | 766 m | +245 m | 25% steep | SD 273 977 |
| 3.1 km | 775 m | +9 m | 9% | SD 272 978 |
How long Walna Scar via Low Water takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 2h 45m |
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 14:58 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:06. Start by 14:56 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 10m 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 via Low 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
More walks from Walna Scar car park, Coniston
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Walna Scar via Goat's Water and Goats Hawse up Brim Fell
- Walna Scar via Goat's Water and Goats Hawse up Dow Crag
- Walna Scar via Goat's Water and Goats Hawse up Great Carrs
- Walna Scar via Goat's Water and Goats Hawse up Grey Friar
- Walna Scar via Goat's Water and Goats Hawse up Swirl How
- Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge up Walna Scar
- Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge up White Maiden
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 Road via Goat's Water | 3.1 km one way | 422 m | 1h 20m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at SD 288 970, 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 via Low Water: questions and answers
How far is Walna Scar via Low Water?
Walna Scar via Low Water is 3.1 km one way to the summit of The Old Man of Coniston, with 580 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.2 km.
How long does Walna Scar via Low Water take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of The Old Man of Coniston and 2h 10m 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 45m for the round trip.
How steep is Walna Scar via Low Water?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 2.5 km from the start, and 47% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Walna Scar via Low Water climbs 545 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Walna Scar via Low Water?
Walna Scar via Low Water starts from Walna Scar car park, Coniston. The grid reference is SD 288 970. Walna Scar car park, Coniston
Is Walna Scar via Low Water 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 the quarries and Low Water.
What time should I start Walna Scar via Low Water today?
By 14:58 at the latest. Sunset on The Old Man of Coniston today is 18:08, Walna Scar via Low Water takes about 2h 10m 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 via Low Water?
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.