Dow Crag and Goats Water

Start by following the Walna Scar track at the far end of the car park, which is at the end of the tarmac road above Coniston. The Old Man is on your right as you meander westwards. Ignore the sign pointing up hill to the Old Man and remain on the track which occasionally becomes steep and rough in places. At the time of walking restoration work was in progress to fix some of the badly eroded sections.

Just before the summit of the pass is a stone shelter.

At the top of the pass turn right, north east, on to the clear raised path heading for the ridge. The path, gradual at first, steepens before approaching the prominent cairn of the first top: Brown Pike. There is also a shelter here. Continue along the path following the crest of the ridge keeping away from the precipitous drop to your right. Bypass paths skirt around the rocky boulder peaks if you don't wish to clamber over to the summits. Dow Crag is particularly rough with large boulders and big gaps to catch out the unwary.

After leaving Dow Crag the ridge becomes rounder in profile with the path to the right hand side of the crest and is marked with cairns. Follow it down to the saddle of Goat's Hawse.

At the saddle turn right again for Goat's Water. The path is at the low point and marked by a small cairn. The path here is engineered although a little rough, and stone steps lead easily down towards the tarn. Continue down to the tarn, and along the left hand side. Don't be tempted to head uphill in search of an easier path as the boulder scree becomes steep and loose! The shore path is stable and reasonably clear. After leaving the tarn, on the clear path, some short sections have steps with a drop of a couple of feet to negotiate but they aren't troublesome.

The path skirts round the left hand edge of The Cove avoiding the wet central ground, and drops down to rejoin the Walna Scar road. Turn left to return to the car park.