Six Walks to do from Coniston…
Coniston is a stunning village surrounded by beautiful walks. Whether you fancy a lowland, scenic stroll along the waterside or an adventurous, climbing day in the mountains, you’ll find a route for you in Coniston.
Lowick Common Nature Reserve
Distance: 3km Time: 2 hour Difficulty: Easy
Situated a few miles south of Coniston Water, Lowick Common is a Cumbria Wildlife Trust site offering a maze of trails and footpaths through the nature reserve with a full circuit of the area taking a few hours with around 3km of walking. A walk from the common up to Lowick Beacon provides a stunning view of the surrounding hills and over to Morecambe Bay.
Coniston to Hawkshead
Distance: 10km Time: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Medium
This village-to-village hike between Coniston and Hawkshead follows a scenic walking route, which runs along the edge of Tarn Hows, cuts through farmland and open countryside eventually leading up to Hawkshead Hill before reaching the village square. There are a few little pubs and cafés to visit in Hawkshead for a break before either heading back by foot or catching the regular bus back to Coniston.
Coniston Water Circular
Distance: 22km Time: 5 hours Difficulty: Hard
A long walk around the entire circle of Coniston Water, this hike offers everything from lakeside paths to woodland trials. The route starts in Coniston village and makes use of the Cumbria Way long distance trail on the western side of the lake and returns to the village through Grizedale Forest. The final section of the walk visits Waterhead Pier, which has a lakeside café for a well-deserved rest with refreshments. Although this is a circular lake walk, the route does include some incline and is a long day making it challenging for some.
Old Man of Coniston
Distance: 6 km Time: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Medium
A trip to Coniston is never complete without summiting the villages own famous Wainwright, the Old Man of Coniston. The most well known hike throughout the Coniston fells, the route begins in the village and follows a scree trail on the fell-side through the remains of old slate mines. The footpath leaves the remains and passes by Low Water Tarn before continuing on to the summit. On a clear day, views reach over to Scafell, Blencathra and Kentmere.
High Nibthwaite to Top O’ Selside
Distance: 6 km Time: 2-3 hours Difficulty: Medium
Top O’ Selside is a 335 metre peak standing between Coniston and Lake Windermere on the outskirts of Grizedale Forest. It is the highest hill on the eastern edge of Coniston and offers amazing views over the neighbouring Coniston fells. Starting at the little hamlet of Nibthwaite, at the foot of Coniston Water, the path climbs up through Bethecar Moor, taking in the peaks of Brock Barrow and Low Light Haw on the way to the summit.
Dow Crag via Banishead Quarry
Distance: 12km Time: 4-5 hours Difficulty: Medium
Dow Crag is a dramatic cliff face standing at 778 metres above Goats Water. This route begins in the small village of Torver 5 minutes down the road from Coniston, and follows a stunning, scenic footpath up to the summit bypassing the waterfall at Banishead Quarry. Views from the summit look over to the Old Man of Coniston with Goats Water sparkling below. A stunning walk through the Coniston fells.