Wetherlam - Swirl How - Great Carrs - Grey Friar - Brim Fell - Coniston Old Man

Joe Jackson

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This is an amazing mountain challenge that will get the legs burning in even the most fittest of walkers but is not beyond the average fellwalker. It starts by following the road back towards Coniston briefly before following a footpath round to Church Beck and a lovely little waterfall. The route picks up old miners tracks to gain some height with relative ease and once the 400m contour is hit, a detour to several minor peaks starts (Birkett Fells). The next few miles are generally pathless but on a clear day the way can be seen. It crosses open moorland and fellside to summit Kitty Crag, Long Crag, High Wythow, Low Wythow and Brackeny Crag. All of which are Birkett Fells and offer lovely views over the Yewdale Fells.

The next leg heads for the first Wainwright of the day; Wetherlam. The ascent is steep and follows an easy buy exciting scramble up Steel Edge (Grade 1). Once at the top its an almost straight walk to the top of Wetherlam. A descent from the 762m summit takes you via Black Tails and down to Swirl Hawse and then up another easy scramble - Prison Band. At the top is the 802m summit of Swirl How and its dramatic views down to Greenburn and Little Langdale. The next two peaks - Great Carrs and Grey Friar require minimal effort to reach and involve gentle walking along footpaths and open grass. Both of these peaks offer spectacular views to the Scafells.

The route around from Fairfield to Levers Hawse is a little steep and care should be taken to avoid a slip but is relatively easy to navigate to and most of it is along a path. The next peak is Brim Fell which is really just a minor summit along the ridge from Coniston Old Man to Swirl How but a Wainwright none the less and the final peak is the highest of the whole group - Coniston Old Man at 803m. The fell is beautiful with dramatic views in all directions. The descent takes you along the tourist path through the old Mine Workings via Low Water and back to the car park.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - South East