There’s something special about the Lake District when the weather’s on your side. On a bright May morning, I made the drive from Lancashire with my dog, Bowie, to finally hike the Old Man of Coniston, one of the area’s most iconic peaks. Coffee in hand, Bowie in the back, and blue skies above. It had all the makings of a great day.
About Bowie
Bowie is a lurcher – a whippet and collie mix. At the time of this particular hike he had just turned 2 years old.
Bowie has been slowly built up to being able to take on challenging mountain trails like this one since he was a pup and he’s used to the rougher terrain.
That being said, I would be lying if I said he was perfectly trained (his recall is spotty at best), so I do have to be really careful with him on hikes like this and have his lead at the ready should I come across live stock.
Parking and Getting Started
I parked in the Walna Scar Car Park, which is pay and display (Ringo app is an option and you can download and book beforehand in case you can’t get signal). Arriving around 10am meant there were still plenty of spaces available before the afternoon walkers arrived. The car park sits right at the foot of the fell, so there’s no long lead-in, you’re climbing almost straight away.
The morning was clear and crisp, the kind of perfect walking weather where it’s warm in the sun but cool in the breeze. From the start, it was clear we were in for a good day on the fells.
The Ascent
I took the classic Low Water route, but in reverse. That meant we started by climbing the quieter side of the fell, working steadily upwards through grassy terrain. The ground was soft and kind on Bowie’s paws, and there were several little streams crossing the trail where he could drink and cool off.
The incline soon became steady and challenging in places, but manageable. I took a few “photo breaks” along the way, mainly to catch my breath, while Bowie trotted ahead as if he’d been up there a hundred times before. It wasn’t his first mountain, and he handled it with the confidence of a dog who knows exactly what’s coming next.
The trail was incredibly peaceful. On the way up, we only passed a handful of walkers, and for most of the climb it felt like we had the whole mountain to ourselves.
Reaching the Summit
After a steady push to the top, we reached the summit of the Old Man of Coniston, and the views were absolutely incredible. On a clear day, you can see for miles — across the surrounding fells, over to Morecambe Bay, and even the Isle of Man in the distance.
We took a well-earned break at the top. Bowie had water and some food I’d packed for him, and I had a quick snack myself. We spent a good 15 minutes at the summit to soak it all in before bodies started to cool down. There’s something grounding about standing at the summit with your dog beside you, both of you sharing that small moment of quiet after the climb.
The terrain near the top is rocky but not technical, and the summit area has plenty of safe space for dogs to rest or explore while you take in the views.
The Descent via Low Water and the Slate Mines
From the summit, the descent drops down past the old Coniston slate mines, an area full of character and history. The ruins and stone tracks add a sense of place that makes this route stand out from many others in the Lakes. Bowie loved exploring this section — nose down, tail wagging, investigating every corner.
As we made our way down, the trail became busier with hikers on their ascent. Everyone seemed in good spirits, and Bowie picked up plenty of attention and compliments along the way.
Once past the slate mines, we reached Low Water tarn, a beautiful spot for a break so that we could rest, take in the views and for Bowie to enjoy a paddle to cool down.
As we made our way down, the trail became busier with hikers on their ascent. Everyone seemed in good spirits, and Bowie picked up plenty of attention and compliments along the way. Always making friends wherever he goes due to his distinct coat and mismatched eyes (hence the name for the Bowie fans amongst us).
By the time we reached the car park, I was ready for a rest and Bowie was happily tired — the kind of content exhaustion that only comes after a proper mountain adventure.
Dog-Friendly Notes
If you’re planning to hike the Old Man of Coniston with your dog, this route is a brilliant choice. Here’s what I found:
- Terrain: Mostly grassy with some rocky sections; gentle on paws.
- Water: Several fresh water sources on the ascent, plus Low Water for a cool-off stop.
- Livestock: Expect some sheep higher up — keep a lead handy for sections with livestock.
- Difficulty: Moderate — suitable for fit, confident dogs used to hilly terrain.
- Off-lead potential: Plenty of chances for off lead exploration, look out for livestock but from my experience we only crossed a couple of small groups of sheep.
For me, it’s a solid 4.5 out of 5 — a scenic, peaceful, and rewarding mountain walk that’s perfectly suited to adventurous dogs and their humans, cementing itself as one of my favourite dog-friendly Lake District hikes.
You can see my route details and stats here from AllTrails. As always, I was optimising for enjoyment rather than speed.
Final Thoughts
The Old Man of Coniston is a fantastic hike in a a beautiful area of the Lake District. If you want my recommendation, make it part of your itinerary whilst undertaking the Lake District Loop road trip and take in some of the best dog-friendly campsites!
The Lake District has an abundance of dog-friendly hikes, including the Old Man of Coniston, if you’re in the area, why not try and complete the list of Wildpack Approved walks and hikes.