Meet time: 9.15am
Start time: 9.30am
Estimated finish time: 3pm to 3.30pm
Distance: 8.3 to 8.4 miles.
Ascent: About 3030 feet.
Ramblers walk grading: A (Strenuous).
Start point: Coniston Tourist Information Centre by Ruskin Avenue Car Park.
Postcode: LA21 8EH
Car parking: Ruskin Avenue Car Park, plus some of the streets around Coniston Village.
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: The walk begins in Coniston, and it follows various paths ascending through the scree slopes and abandoned copper mines to the tarn of Low Water. After a brief stop at Low Water, there is the final part of the ascent to the Old Man of Coniston (803 meters). There are truly grand views on top of the Old Man and the way ahead is shown by the line of mountains from Old Man to Brim Fell to Swirl How.
Heading north we keep the height and go to first Brim Fell (796 meters), pass Levers Hawse, and reach the final mountain of the walk Swirl How (802 meters). Swirl How has superb views of the Langdales and the Scafell Range.
We descend from Swirl How to reach Swirl Hawse, and then gradually descend to Levers Water which is actually a reservoir. The best views are found at the weir of Levers Water. The next part of the descent is longer but gradual as it heads for the Coniston Coppermine YHA, and then the track continues on before returning to Coniston.
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 7 March if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, WhatsApp, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)).
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
Car sharing may be possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.