Sunday 17th May 2026 6:00am
The Lakes - Wetherlam
Cost of this walk is £21.00 for members and £23.00 for visitors
Walk Organisers – Wendy and Bob Price
Coach departs Mere Green at 6.00am Coach departs Coniston at 5.00pm
Wetherlam is a mountain in the Lake District, situated in the Southern Fells, north-west of Coniston village. Known for its historical copper mining and quarrying. It is the most northerly of the Coniston Fells, offering excellent viewpoints in all directions. All walks will start from Skelwith Bridge and finish in Coniston. The A walk ascends Wetherlam from Swirl How and both B walks will ascend Wetherlam via a grade 1 scramble up Wetherlam Edge, while the C walk takes a lower route to Coniston.
A Party: The ‘A’ Walk starts from Skelwith Bridge (NY345035) walking in a westerly direction following the undulating Cumbria Way and visiting Skelwith Force and Colwith Force waterfalls on the way to explore Cathedral Cavern, which will be an option on the day. Continuing west and crossing Greenburn Beck the route climbs up over Rough Crags, Wet Side Edge, Hell Gill Pike, Little Carrs, and Great Carrs to the summit of Swirl How, at 802m the highest point of the day. Descending the Prison Band to Swirl Hawse, the route proceeds to climb to the summit of Wetherlam. Descending over Black Sails and turning south the route continues down along Erin Crag Ridge, to Levers Water then forward along Boulder Valley and over The Bell, to Church Beck and onto the finish in Coniston (SD304976).
Leaders: Tom Somervell and Louise Tidman
Distance: 19.8Km - Ascent 1180m
B1 Party: The ‘B1’ Walk also starts from Skelwith Bridge (NY345035) walking in a westerly direction following the undulating Cumbria Way to High Park visiting Skelwith Force and Colwith Force waterfalls on the way to explore Cathedral Cavern, which will be an option on the day. The route continues west past Slater Bridge then turns south east to start the main climb of the day which ascends to the col between Great Intake and Birk Fell, then turns south west on a steep path up to Birk Fell Man and along the ridge of Birk Fell followed by a scramble up Wetherlam Edge to the summit of Wetherlam. Descending over Black Sails turning south the route continues down along Erin Crag Ridge, to Levers Water then forward along Boulder Valley, to Church Beck and onto the finish in Coniston (SD304976).
Leaders: Bob Price and Anne Farmer
Distance: 16Km - Ascent 940m
B2 Party: The ‘B2’ Walk also starts from Skelwith Bridge (NY345035) walking in a westerly direction following the undulating Cumbria Way to High Park visiting Skelwith Force and Colwith Force waterfalls then turns south west passing Hodge Close Quarry, a dramatic, steep-sided abandoned slate quarry. The walk continues west to Tilberthwaite to start the main climb of the day, turns north and then west ascending through Dry Cove to Birk Fell followed by a scramble up Wetherlam Edge to the summit of Wetherlam. This is followed by a southerly descent in the Furness Fells over Lower Hows and Red Gill Head to Hole Rake then crossing Church Beck and continuing into Coppermine’s Valley and onto the finish in Coniston (SD304976).
Leaders: Ian Broughton and Neville Village
Distance: 14.8Km - Ascent 880m
C Party: The ‘C’ Walk also starts from Skelwith Bridge (NY345035) walking in a westerly direction following the undulating Cumbria Way visiting Skelwith Force and Colwith Force waterfalls then turns south west passing Hodge Close Quarry, a dramatic, steep-sided abandoned slate quarry. The route continues west to Tilberthwaite ascends Horse Crag (a short easy Scramble) then passes between the Yewdale and Furness Fells via a wonderful mountain path which includes Hole Rake, then continues into Coppermine’s Valley crossing Church Beck and onto the finish in Coniston (SD304976).
Leaders: Wendy Price and Rob Maule
Distance: 12Km - Ascent 550m
Map: 1:25000
OL 6 The English Lakes – South Eastern Area
OL 7 The English Lakes – South Western Area
