A Running Weekend in the Coniston fells
What better way to celebrate finishing exams than by enjoying the fine Coniston fells in the English Lake District? Ahhh the post exam freedom! That sweet, blissful feeling you’ve been longing for weeks and months.
Getting back to nature, unwinding and letting all the stress dissipate out into nothingness. Freedom; nothing can beat it.
Now that my degree is complete (woop woop!) I can at last start with my 2019 adventure ambitions. No more evenings and weekends with compromised adventures (like I did on the Isle of Arran); I now get to spend my evenings and weekends running or riding for as long and as a far as my little legs will allow!
A weekend of chilling out, enjoying Lakeland views and getting out running in the Coniston fells was definitely well earned! Combining my trail running obsession with my love of the Lake District… oh and not to mention the magnificent summer weather we’re current experiencing in the UK.
So once again I packed my van full of food and adventurous toys before heading north. Not north beyond the wall, just north to the wonderful Lake District, in search of adventure and tranquillity.
The Coniston fells reside in the south west of the Lake District, making them reasonably accessible from the M6. Note, never ever try to navigate through Ambleside on a Saturday morning when the weather is nice out. Save yourself hours of caravan hatred-fuelled aggravation and just don’t!
You could say Coniston Old Man is the fell which dominates this range, sitting proud above Coniston town centre, it’s certainly the tallest. Although not visible from the start point, Dow Crag and the sheer scale of its imposing crags are the highlight for me. Less busy, as much altitude, same wonderful views & I would argue a more challenging route.
I hit 3 routes in the Coniston fells over the weekend, ticking off 8 Wainwrights in total;
Route 1 started at Walna Scar, situated just above Coniston (below the Old Man) and headed up the steep track along the south face of Weatherlam via the copper mines. The route then takes a roundabout way over Swirl How, Great Carrs and Grey Friar, before traversing Brim Fell and topping out on Coniston Old Man, completing a fine horseshoe route with serious elevation.
Route 2 was a simple out and back route over Dow Crag via Walna Scar road, with a loop around Goats Water. Time it right and you’ll be lucky enough to catch a wonderful mountain top sunset over the far western reaches of the Coniston fells.
Route 3 was quick hit over one of the smaller Wainwrights, Holme Fell. Small enough in stature, but still offering magnificent early morning views over Coniston and the surrounding fells.
The thing I love most about the fells is there are no defined routes you have to take. Sure there are recommended routes in guidebooks etc. But I for one love spreading an entire map out and plotting a route. Give me coffee and I can spend hours poring over maps, wondering what I could link up and scheming my own crazy routes! I highly recommend using viewranger, although the appropriate Ordnance Survey paper map is essential when out and about.
Whilst the winds were relatively low for the majority of the weekend, the spring temperatures aren’t always favourable for hanging about on the tops. Going prepared for a mixture of weather is absolutely advisable. Knowing how to navigate on the go and letting others know your intended route/estimated finish time is also highly advised.
For any questions about routes, kit (all Inov8, no need to ask really!) or camp spots, please leave a comment or get in touch direct.
Safe adventuring guys!
Callum
