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An early morning start on the longest day meant that I was able to park easily in the centre of Coniston rather than driving up to Walna Scar.
After some initial tree cover the walk along Church Beck (Levens Water) breaks out across open ground rising west on the direct route via Low Water providing a good aspect of the Prison Band ridge to the north, which would eventually form the latter part of the higher reaches of today’s walk. The clouds filled the valley below me as I walked in clear mountain top conditions, past the quarries and steeply up to the Old Man. From this high point the route north across to Goat’s Hawse and then across and finally up to the 778m height of Dow Crag is obvious. The land falls spectacularly away and down to Goat’s Water below with great views across to the Old Man. I retraced my steps down the same ridge but then cut left towards Levers Hawse. Rather than climb Swirl How at this point I took a minor path northwest away from the ridge, aiming for the steady walk around to the ascent up Grey Friar. Really good views to the north taking in Scafell and Bow Fell, but with the Langdales also clearly visible. It was just two weeks ago that I climbed High Raise, Pike of Stickle and Harrison Stickle and I am now slowly but surely becoming able to name many of the hills I can see from these various viewpoints.
With the clouds now closing in a little, I left Grey Friar aiming for Swirl How, which is a relatively steady ascent, before dropping down to Swirl Hause via Prison Band. It’s a steady but rocky descent so slow going at this point, especially as the leg muscles start to tire. The next Hewittt is Black Sails, and you have to depart from the clear path to pick your way up a short incline to the top of the mountain. I have the feeling that most walkers bypass Black Sails, but it’s a good top. The descent down to the main path follows grass treads to the northeast over a short distance. Indeed, the descent is minor and must barely qualify Black Sails as a separate but worthy Hewitt. The top of Wetherlam is quickly reached and then care must be taken off the broad top to choose the preferred path down.
My route descended southwest over Lower Hows, down to Hole Rake with superb views of both Windermere (initially) and Coniston. The walk into Coniston is completed along the broad quarry path. If parking at Walna Scar you have to tack across at Miners Bridge. The walk took just over 5 hours including two 10-minute breaks with rather more elevation gain than I was expecting. So, do allow up to 6 hours for this superb journey around the ridge above Coniston.
