Situated along the western shore on the northern end of Coniston Water, Coniston truly is a haven for outdoorsy folks.
Home to an idyllic village, jaw-dropping lakeside vistas and a wide variety of hiking trails to explore, eager ramblers will find walks a plenty here!
From epic fells, fairy-tale woodlands, tranquil tarns, craggy moorlands and romantic lakeshore trails just to name a few, we’ve gone and whittled down a list to what we consider 6 of the very best hikes in the area.
Venture out on any of these adventures and I’m sure you’ll be in for a belting day out!
Interested? Let’s get to it 👇👇
Best Walks In Coniston
Tarn Hows Walk
Starting with a personal fave of ours, many visitors are surprised to hear that Tarn Hows is actually a man-made wonder.
This by no means takes away from the site’s picture-perfect beauty however!
The glistening body of tranquil water remains one of Lakeland’s most prized beauty spots – one look at the Tarn for yourself and its clear to see why this scenic gem has garnered the reputation it has!
An easy-to-follow and mostly flat loop around the tarn, this short & sweet stroll is perfect for families with young ‘uns and those who require wheelchair access.
A particular favourite with the kids, look out for the mysterious coin studded tree during your ramble. Even better, bring some loose change, embed a coin for yourself and don’t forget to make a wish!
With various route options available for extending your ramble here, be sure to head on over to our Tarn Hows Guide here for the full lowdown.
Monk Coniston Lakeshore Path
A romantic lakeshore trail looping towards Coniston, this serene hike (starting from Monk Coniston Car Park) is flat throughout and is best supplemented with a rewarding beer and meal in Coniston once arriving in the heart of town!
Once reaching Coniston, you then have the option of turning back the way you came or alternatively following the road around the other end of the lake, conveniently taking you back to Monk Coniston Car Park.
Top tip – During your outing, why not also hop on board the Victorian Steam Boat from Coniston Pier back to Monk Coniston Car Park?
A whopping 84-foot long historic steam-powered boat restored by the National Trust in 1980, you’d be hard pressed to find a better way to take in the glorious lakeshore views!
Likewise, Coniston Water is also a fantastic swimming location! For those partial to a bit of cold water swimming, why not head on over to our ‘9 Incredible Wild Swimming Spots In The Lakes’ post? 🏊
Old Man of Coniston
No post listing the best walks in Coniston would be complete without a mention of the area’s most iconic peak!
Looming over the idyllic village, the Old Man of Coniston stands at a staggering 2,633 feet (803 metres), making it one of the biggest peaks in Lakeland.
Attracting droves of hikers each year eager to conquer the formidable peak, this hefty incline certainly isn’t for the feint of heart!
Despite being heavily used as a quarrying hotspot during the industrial revolution, Alfred Wainright nevertheless notes that the peak is
‘…a proud and dignified bearing, shedding his tears quietly into a lovely tarn at the base of the summit escarpment’.
Can’t say I disagree!
With upwards of 4 main routes winding up the mountainside, its wise to do your research prior to venturing out so you know which trail you’d like to tackle.
*Watch this space, Old Man Of Coniston Walk Guide coming soon!
Coniston Coppermine Waterfall Walk
For hikers wanting something a little different than the usual, why not ramble 30-minutes from the heart of Coniston village and explore the historic Coniston Coppermine?
A mining hotspot dating back to the 16th Century, hiding behind the site’s fascinating remnants also lies a jaw-dropping waterfall crashing down the mountainside.
The walk is nothing overly strenuous and is super easy to follow, making it perfect for walkers of all abilities. The hidden gorge located at the waterfall is also great if you’re partial to a bit of wild swimming!
For the full lowdown, be sure to check out our Coniston Coppermine Waterfall Walk Guide here.
Hodge Close Quarry (and Cathedral Quarry) Walk
Burrowed just a few miles north of Coniston in the Lake District lies Hodge Close Quarry, also menacingly known as ‘Skull Cave’.
The quarry became notorious after visitors discovered the reflection in the cave’s water spookily resembled the shape of a giant skull.
Unofficially dubbed Britains’ scariest cave, don’t let the intimidating reputation put you off however, since the vistas you enjoy here are incredible.
Plus, for the particularly daring there’s even a hidden scramble path which takes you right down into the heart of the quarry!
Furthermore, with Cathedral Cave neighbouring Hodge Close Quarry, there’s always the option to extend your walk by visiting here also and really make a full day of it.
Word of warning – The scramble path down to Hodge Close Quarry can be difficult to find and the surrounding landscape is rather hazardous. To save you venturing off the beaten path, you can find all you need to know in our Hodge Close Quarry Guide here!
Coniston to Hawkshead Walk
An ancient township renowned as a flourishing market town back in its heyday, Hawkshead still retains much of its historic splendour.
Home to quaint & compact cottages, walking around the village almost feels like stepping back in a time capsule, with the strict ban on cars only further adding to the authenticity.
The landscape between Coniston and Hawkshead is ideal for walking, providing keen ramblers with gorgeous footpaths weaving through the woodlands, open-countryside and gentle inclines.
A significantly longer ramble than some of the walks listed above, this trail clocks in at 6.5 miles each way; meaning the hike in total comes in at 13 miles if you choose to tackle it all on foot.
Guiding you around Coniston Water, Hawkshead Moor, Low Park & more, safe to say this trail is in no shortage of scenic variety; though it’s bound to leave those legs sore the day after!
Coniston to Ambleside (via Tarn Hows)
For the veteran hikers amongst you, perhaps you’d like to tackle this 8.5 mile one-way hike from Coniston to Ambleside?
Taking you along a segment of the legendary Cumbrian Way, this walk incorporates both Tarn Hows & Loughrigg Tarn before approaching the esteemed village of Ambleside.
Located to the north of Lake Windermere, Ambleside is also fantastic spot for wild-swimming. What better way to finish your hike than with a refreshing dip in Lakeland’s most iconic lake!
For the full breakdown on this enticing trail, I’d recommend heading over to the following guide created by Where2Walk here.
More resources
While a tad further afield, Scafell Pike isn’t too far from Coniston and is well worth a visit if you have a car handy.
Officially the tallest peak in England, there are a plethora of hiking trails weaving up to the summit, all of which can be found in our detailed Scafell Pike post here.
Likewise, for more inspiration in the local area, why not trawl through the Lake District section of our blog? I’m sure there’s something that’ll perk your interest!
Happy walking 🚶🚶