Coniston Old Man via Goat's Water
Cumbria
The Old Man of Coniston, 803m, is the guardian peak of Coniston Water and one of the most atmospheric of the southern Wainwrights. The route via Goat's Water follows the Walna Scar track south before climbing past Goat's Water, a dark glacial tarn under the great cliffs of Dow Crag, then steeply up to Goat's Hawse and along the open stony ridge to the summit and its huge cairn. It is a dog friendly walk for experienced hill dogs, with reliable water at the tarn and no scrambling on the main route.
Park at the top of the steep Walna Scar Road at the Walna Scar car park (pay and display); the road is narrow with few passing places so drive carefully. The whole area is working Herdwick farmland with sheep grazing up to the summit, plus the chance of ground-nesting birds, so dogs must be on a lead throughout. The terrain is rocky track, stone path and steep pitched stone on the climb to Goat's Hawse, with loose stone on the summit ridge. Coniston village at the foot of the hill has dog friendly pubs, cafes and public toilets, and the lake itself is a lovely cooling stop on the way home.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Duration
- 5 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Peak, Moorland, Lake
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- None
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- None on the fell; pubs, cafes and toilets in Coniston village at the foot of the hill.
- Parking
- Walna Scar pay and display car park at the top of a very steep narrow road above Coniston.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coniston Old Man via Goat's Water dog friendly?
This is a solid option for dogs who are fit and used to mountain terrain, earning a 7/10 dog friendly rating. The route offers reliable water at Goat's Water tarn and avoids any scrambling on the main path, making it manageable for experienced hill dogs. That said, it is a serious fell walk with steep, rocky sections, so it's best suited to dogs in good condition who are comfortable on rough ground.
Can dogs be off lead at Coniston Old Man via Goat's Water?
No — dogs must be kept on a lead throughout this walk. The whole area is working Herdwick farmland with sheep grazing right up to the summit, and there is also the possibility of ground-nesting birds on the fell. It's worth planning accordingly, especially if your dog is not used to walking to heel on a lead over long distances.
What should I know before visiting Coniston Old Man via Goat's Water with my dog?
The terrain is demanding — expect rocky tracks, steep pitched stone on the climb to Goat's Hawse, and loose stone along the summit ridge, so confident footing is a must for your dog. There are no facilities on the fell itself, but your dog can drink at Goat's Water tarn along the route. After your walk, Coniston village has dog friendly pubs, cafes and public toilets, and the lake makes a great cooling stop on the way home. For parking, note that the Walna Scar pay and display car park is reached via a very steep, narrow road, so take it steady on the drive up.
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