Wednesday, 10th September 2014

Walk: Church Beck, Low Water, Coniston Old Man, Goat's Hawse, Dow Crag, Buck Pike, Brown Pike, Walna Scar Road, Torver Beck, Spoon Hall, Bowmanstead
Start Point: Roadside, Coniston Grid Reference: SD 303 975
Distance: 10 miles Ascent: 3,260 feet
Time: 6.5 hours
Weather: Sunny and warm
Comments: Starting from Coniston the walk made its way gradually upwards beside Church Beck which its named Levers Beck in its higher reaches. Reaching the disused mining area the path became steeper until it began its steepest part after passing Low Water. The summit was busy, as usual, but we found a quiet spot for our coffee break. Making our way across to Dow Crag we thought the route would be much quieter but it was just as busy as the earlier part of the walk. After a bit of scrambling around on the summit of Dow Crag we continued on past Buck Pike and Brown Pike to reach the Walna Scar Road. We eventually left this to descend beside Torver Beck on a very pleasant grassy path. The route became more overgrown until we crossed the A593 to touch on the Cumbria Way before reaching Coniston.

We followed Church Beck from Coniston . . .

and past the mining operations where it becomes Levers Beck

Some of the disused buildings at a higher level

Time for a swim, perhaps, . . .

in Low Water

Coniston Old Man with me . . .

and Sheila

The cairn is built on a large platfrom

Looking across to Dow Crga as we leave the Old Man

Goat's Water, just after crossing Goat's Hawse . . .

and looking back to The Old Man . . .

with another view to Goat's Water as we approach . . .

Dow Crag . . .

but it's a bit tricky . . .

to really appreciate . . .

this rocky outcrop . . .

unless you take a more distant view . . .

as I try out different options . . .

but I think this gives the best impression

Leaving Dow Crag . . .

there are a number of gullies . . .

leading down to Goat's Water

Looking back to Dow Crag as we make our way to . . .

Buck Pike

Blind Tarn comes into view as we continue on to . . .

Brown Pike

Reaching the Walna Scar Road we find a small shelter . . .

but it would be very cosy for more than one person

The bridge railings provide a handy place to leave a couple of bikes!

Descending beside Torver Beck we reach a disused quarry with its own waterfall . . .

but no sign of a water outlet . . .

and the sun provides a light display in the water

Walking through remnants of the quarry

A sheep makes its way across the beck . . .

but the lamb is a little more hesitant

They both join the rest of the group . . .

but this one thinks they are going the wrong way!

Coniston Water . . .

comes back into view

A novel use for an old boat in Coniston

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