Some Walks Near Coniston

We've just published three new walks starting in or near Coniston. The first two of our walks explore Coppermines Valley and The Old Man of Coniston, one of the best known hills of the Lake District. The third takes you up Wetherlam from Tilberthwaite just outside of Coniston on the road to Ambleside.

Coniston is closely associated with two people. John Ruskin lived at Brantwood on the eastern bank of Coniston Water which is now owned by the National Trust and Donald Campbell who died on Coniston Water whilst trying to set a new water speed record on 4th January 1967. The Ruskin Museum in Coniston has a dedicated wing built specially to house the remains of Bluebird K7, called of course the Bluebird Wing, which was opened in 2008. So while you're in the area there's at least two places to visit alongside our walks.

Looking into Coppermines Valley above Coniston

The Old Man of Coniston and its surrounding fells are well known for their ancient and modern mining and quarrying scars that dot the landscape. Coppermines valley is this, concentrated into one small area. The valley floor is covered by tell tale spoil heaps, and foundations of long gone buildings. If you look carefully even remains of old leats can still be found which were used to transport water from becks and reservoirs high in the fells to where it was needed in the valley to generate power, or used in processing. Now only occasionally does the crump of blasting explosives confirm that at least one quarry in the valley lives on and is still worked.

It may not seem to be an obvious valley to walk, but a middle-level walk around the valley sides is a fascinating and perhaps eye opening wander into the past and that's what our walk Coppermines Valley above Coniston offers.

If you want to stretch your legs a little more then our walk The Old Man of Coniston, from Coniston village takes you up one side of Coppermines Valley on the way to and from the summit of The Old Man so you get the chance to see some of what it has to offer.

Dropping back to Tilberthwaite from Wetherlam

Finally our third walk, Steel Edge and Wetherlam Edge, from Tilberthwaite, takes you up Wetherlam and again passes various mine workings and with some impressive views of the surrounding fells.

Tagged: walks

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