Coniston via Lad Stones up Wetherlam: route map, distance and time
763 m · Cumbria
Wetherlam is the northernmost of the main Coniston fells, a big, sprawling fell above Coniston and Tilberthwaite with old mine workings on its slopes.
Walk up the Coppermines Valley and climb the ridge of Lad Stones to the summit.
Coniston via Lad Stones at a glance
| Distance | 5.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 739 m |
| Time up | 2h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Coniston village |
| Start grid reference | SD 302 975 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 288 011 |
Coniston via Lad Stones 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 via Lad Stones takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 5m |
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 13:48 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:45 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Wetherlam summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Wetherlam right now. The main Wetherlam page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Wetherlam forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Wetherlam
Wetherlam is the northernmost of the main Coniston fells, a big, sprawling fell above Coniston and Tilberthwaite with old mine workings on its slopes. More about Wetherlam, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Black Sails (745 m), 0.6 km south-west
- Swirl How (802 m), 1.6 km west
- Great Carrs (785 m), 1.7 km west
- Holme Fell (316 m), 2.7 km east
- Grey Friar (773 m), 2.9 km west
Challenges that include Wetherlam
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 Levers Water and the Prison Band up Swirl How
- Coniston round via the Old Man up Swirl How
- Coniston via the quarries and Low Water up The Old Man of Coniston
Other routes up Wetherlam
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tilberthwaite via Wetherlam Edge | 3.0 km one way | 611 m | 1h 35m | Moderate |
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 288 011), 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 via Lad Stones: questions and answers
How far is Coniston via Lad Stones?
Coniston via Lad Stones is 5.2 km one way to the summit of Wetherlam, with 739 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.4 km.
How long does Coniston via Lad Stones take?
About 2h 15m to the summit of Wetherlam and 3h 20m 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 4h 5m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Coniston via Lad Stones?
Coniston via Lad Stones starts from Coniston village. The grid reference is SD 302 975.
Is Coniston via Lad Stones 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 via Lad Stones today?
By 13:48 at the latest. Sunset on Wetherlam today is 18:08, Coniston via Lad Stones takes about 3h 20m 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 via Lad Stones?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).