Coniston Old Man (the hollow mountain) deep quarried over the years in a quest to claim it's valuable mineral wealth, today saw me summit on little used paths from the Walna Scar Road to later descend the Prison Band to walk back through the scars of the Coppermines Valley.

I parked on the Old Furness Road, for reasons that will be obvious later, unfortunately that meant a steep climb up the Walna Scar Road ,a perfect leg loosener, after crossing the final intake and passing plenty of parked cars, a sign next to the quarry road clearly marks the route, the path skirts the quarry spoil to reach easier ground, on a good path I crossed the eastern slopes of Coniston Old Man before turning west to reach the tourist path, followed by a short steep climb to the summit, almost two miles of ridge walking followed, on good paths crossing Brim Fell on route to Swirl How before descending The Prison Band to Swirl Hawes, south saw me cross Sam Bottom before reaching the sterile waters of Levers Water, under the cliffs of Kennel Crag to reach the floor of The Coppermines Valley, on easy ground I soon reached the spectacular single arch of Miners Bridge, I crossed to follow the right hand bank of Church Beck back to Coniston, and the reason for parking on the Old Furness Road? my descent down Church Beck brought me out right next to the Sun Inn, and there was room to sit outside, just round the corner to the right the car waited patiently.

The Coppermines Valley Skyline.	back to list view route map
	Coniston Old Man from the Walna Scar Road, my ascent took me above the quarry bathed in sunlight.
	Sunlight dapples the slopes of Brim Fell and Swirl How seen over one of Lakeland's lesser heights, The Bell.
	Spectacular views across Coniston Water with Carron Crag rising in the Grizedale Forest.
	On the slopes of Coniston Old Man looking to a distant Morecambe Bay.
	On level ground looking to Top o' Selside across Coniston Water.
	Dwarfed by the landscape, Low Water in the shadow Levers Water.
	Fading into a blue/grey horizon the Duddon Sands.
	The spectacular cliffs of Wetherlam tumble into Red Dell, seen from the summit Coniston Old Man.
	From the summit mouth-watering views to the east, top left Windermere Lake, centre Coniston Water.
	The summit Coniston Old Man.
	Heading to Brim Fell looking to the rocky fingers of Dow Crag.
	From the summit cairn on Brim Fell the ridge carries the eye to mighty Skiddaw, almost merging with the sky.
	Viewing Brim Fell and Dow Crag from the ascent of Swirl How.
	In sunlight laying under a dark cloud the Sca Fell massif, seen from the summit of Swirl How.
	This splendid cairn on the summit of Swirl How marks the start of my descent of the Prison Band.
	Descending the Prison Band with views to Coniston Water for company.
	And to the north the Langdale skyline.
	Seen over Wet Side Edge Bow Fell and the Crinkle Crags, to the right Pike of Blisco.
	On the shore of Levers Water.
	The remains of mining in the Coppermines Valley.
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