Cume do Old Man of Coniston

This famous fell looms over the village and lake of the same name and has been immensely popular with hillwalkers for generations. There are many possible hikes to Coniston Old Man, with myriad routes of superb quality up its slopes. Part of a great family of proud fells, there is a lifetime of adventure for you to discover here.

A classic Lakeland Fell beloved by the folk of Coniston

Once the highest point of the old county of Lancashire, Coniston Old Man is the loftiest of a group of fells that rise separately from the rest of the Southern Fells. These mountains have a long history of mining and quarrying, the vestiges of which you can still see today.

Walking routes to Coniston Old Man follow any number of miners’ tracks, walkers’ trails and quarry paths. Route permutations are almost endless, with multiple Wainwrights waiting to be bagged in a single adventure, if you’re feeling energetic. The eastern flanks are the most interesting, with beautiful tarns and impressive crags.

Its position as one of the southern bastions of the national park gives it a splendid panorama. On the clearest of days, even the mountains of distant Snowdonia can be spied. Back towards Lakeland, it is the rugged environs of Eskdale and the magnificent Scafell group that are best seen. Across Goat’s Water, neighbouring Dow Crag’s cliffs glower across the depression, an exciting wall of crags, boasting superb climbs and daring scrambles.

The charming village of Coniston is the obvious base for direct ascents and has plenty of facilities. The Duddon Valley and Little Langdale offer alternative start points, with campsites and guesthouses set amid rural splendour.

In full winter conditions, the Old Man may be too much of a stretch without an ice axe or crampons, but this occurrence is fairly rare. A winter walk here is often glorious.