Swirl How

Swirl How

Swirl How is an 802.4-metre Wainwright in the Southern Fells. Its rocky summit carries a cairn at NY272005, with Great Carrs and Bow Fell in the north-west view. Summit and outlook.

A high-level circuit from Walna Scar

WalkLakes gives this circuit as 15 km with 935 m ascent. Its 4 hr 33 min time is a minimum; allow extra for stops and conditions. Route details.

From Walna Scar car park (SD289970), climb via Crowberry Haws, the old workings and Low Water to Coniston Old Man. Cross Brim Fell, Levers Hawse and Swirl Band to Swirl How.

Descend Prison Band east to Swirl Hawse. Traverse beneath Black Sails to Wetherlam and retrace to the hawse. Head south to Levers Water, follow its eastern shore to the dam, round Kennel Crag and return above the quarries. Cross the Levers Water Beck and Low Water Beck footbridges, then take the Crowberry Haws track back to the car park. Full circuit.

Expect deep bogs and indistinct paths above Levers Water. Ground conditions.

The descent needs care

The tempting eastward spur of Great How is not Prison Band. Coniston Mountain Rescue has documented walkers becoming cragfast after confusing the two, or mistaking Great How for the Levers Hawse descent. Reach Swirl How itself before turning east onto Prison Band; do not improvise a shortcut towards Levers Water. Local rescue warning.

Rock and landscape

The summit bedrock is mapped as the Long Top Tuff Member of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. Summit geology.

These Ordovician volcanic rocks include rhyolitic tuff and lapilli-tuff: deposits made from ash and larger fragments erupted by volcanoes. BGS describes both massive and bedded layers, with local volcanic breccia. BGS rock description.

Below the ridge, centuries of copper mining left buildings, tunnels, water channels and spoil heaps. Conservation work has repaired structures and recorded the valley’s archaeology. Enjoy the remains from the paths rather than entering old workings. Mining landscape.

Getting to the start

Walna Scar parking is reached by a steep single-track road from Coniston. Leave room for other vehicles and check access notices before committing to the climb. Approach road.

The National Park lists Walna Scar as paid parking with card payments and RingGo 37321. Check the sign at your space, since its directory separately lists an Old Man of Coniston car park. Toilets are listed at Ruskin Avenue in Coniston village. Parking and toilets.

Stagecoach’s 505 connects Coniston with Hawkshead and Ambleside. It serves the village, not Walna Scar car park, so plan the additional uphill connection separately. Check the timetable for your travel date and the last return bus. 505 route.

Plan for mountain conditions

Carry a map and compass, waterproofs, warm layers, food, water and a torch. Check the mountain forecast and leave your route with someone. Short winter days make an early start important; turn back when conditions exceed your experience. This overview does not replace a map or the linked route directions. Mountain preparation.