Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge up White Maiden: route map, distance and time
613 m · Cumbria
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Walna Scar car park, Coniston.
The Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge starts at about 231 m and gains 385 m over 4.4 km to 602 m on the track. The first 2 km are the easy part, averaging 7%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 3 km, which climbs 163 m at an average of 16%, with a 500 m stretch from 2.5 km at about 22%. The final 0.4 km eases to the top. About 14% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge at a glance
| Distance | 4.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 400 m |
| Climb on the track | 385 m up, 14 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 230 m to 603 m (summit 613 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 22%, from 2.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 14% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 35m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Walna Scar car park, Coniston |
| Start grid reference | SD 288 970 |
| Summit grid reference | SD 254 957 |
| Parking | Walna Scar car park, Coniston |
Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge 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 Road and the southern ridge 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 Road and the southern ridge 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 | 292 m | +61 m | 6% | SD 280 966 |
| 2 km | 376 m | +85 m | 8% | SD 271 964 |
| 3 km | 540 m | +163 m | 16% | SD 262 963 |
| 4 km | 586 m | +46 m | 5% | SD 255 960 |
| 4.4 km | 602 m | +16 m | 4% | SD 254 956 |
How long the Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 2h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 55m | 3h 0m |
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 14:41 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:38 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
White Maiden summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 30 mph gusting 38 mph, 41% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:06.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 25 mph, 73% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for the Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 38 mph and a 41% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour White Maiden 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 0°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 41% chance of rain.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 38 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 White Maiden
More about White Maiden, with the live forecast.
Challenges that include White Maiden
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 via Low Water up The Old Man of Coniston
- Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge up Walna Scar
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 254 957), 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 and the southern ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge?
The Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge is 4.4 km one way to the summit of White Maiden, with 400 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.8 km.
How long does the Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge take?
About 1h 35m to the summit of White Maiden and 2h 25m 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 3h 0m for the round trip.
How steep is the Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 22%, starting 2.5 km from the start, and 14% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge climbs 385 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge?
The Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge starts from Walna Scar car park, Coniston. The grid reference is SD 288 970. Walna Scar car park, Coniston
Is the Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge 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.
What time should I start the Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge today?
By 14:41 at the latest. Sunset on White Maiden today is 18:06, The Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge takes about 2h 25m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Walna Scar Road and the southern ridge?
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.