Trail Running Planet · Lake District · Coniston
Coniston Fells Grand Loop
You get the whole Coniston skyline in one go, then trade the rock for Little Langdale, Slater Bridge and Tarn Hows on the way home. Few loops give you this much variety from one car park.
Distance
27.2 km
Ascent
1,298 m
Descent
1,298 m
Max elevation
799 m
Route type
Loop
Est. time
4h 5m – 5h 30m
Grade
Very Hard
Navigation
map_skills
Parking
LA21 8EH
Dogs
Welcome
Best seasons
spring, summer, autumn
About this route
A 27km loop from Coniston village taking in Dow Crag, the Old Man of Coniston, Brim Fell, Swirl How and Great Carrs, then dropping into Little Langdale and back past Tarn Hows. Around 1,300m of climb with the high point at just over 800m.
Hazards & notes
Dow Crag's summit sits on the lip of a huge east-facing cliff - stay back from the edge, especially in wind or cloud. The Swirl How and Great Carrs plateau is easy to misread in mist, and Wet Side Edge is a long, exposed descent with no quick way off once committed.
Emergency
Call 999 or 112 → ask for Police → request Mountain Rescue. Register Emergency SMS: text "register" to 999.
Full route, GPX download & live conditions:
https://trailrunningplanet.com/routes/england/lake-district/coniston/coniston-fells-grand-loop
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