Wetherlam

Wetherlam

Wetherlam is a 763 m fell in the Coniston group of the Lake District. Its cairned summit is reached by rough mountain routes from Coniston and Tilberthwaite. Steel Edge and Wetherlam Edge involve scrambling; longer circuits continue to Swirl How and Coniston Old Man.

Summit and geology

The recorded summit feature is a cairn on the highest rocks. Cairns and shelters can change; the recorded summit is beyond Lower Howes, not the earlier cairn that can be mistaken for it on the approach.

The British Geological Survey describes Ordovician Borrowdale Volcanic Group rocks in the Wetherlam area, including ignimbrites and andesitic tuff and lapilli-tuff. The area includes several volcanic units, so an exact summit-point rock identification or a blanket andesite-lava description is not established here.

Walking routes

Coniston via Lad Stones and Black Sails

From Coniston's Tourist Information Centre, take the Coppermines track past the hydro intake, climb through Hole Rake and follow Lad Stones ridge over Lower Howes to Wetherlam. Return west via Red Dell Head and Black Sails, then descend its southern ridge towards Erin Crag and Levers Water. The source circuit crosses the dam and returns by Paddy End, Boulder Valley, the Pudding Stone, the Old Man path terrace, hydro intake and Miners Bridge to Coniston. WalkLakes gives 12.2 km, 786 m ascent and a minimum of 3 hours 45 minutes. If the dam is spilling, do not cross; the source diverts down the rough zigzag Coppermines track to Coniston, with no separate metrics supplied. https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_259.html

Tilberthwaite via Steel Edge and Wetherlam Edge

From Tilberthwaite Gill car park, follow the quarry and gill paths, ford Crook Beck only if safe, then scramble up Steel Edge and join the Lad Stones ridge over Lower Howes to Wetherlam. Descend northeast along Wetherlam Edge to Birk Fell Hawse and the Birk Fell Man summit area, then return through the shallow gully and pitched path past old levels to Dry Cove Bottom, Tilberthwaite Gill and the road back to the original car park. WalkLakes gives 7.5 km, 653 m ascent and a minimum of 2 hours 35 minutes. Its Birk Fell cairn wording does not resolve the current separate natural high point, so exact contact with that summit is unverified. This circuit includes descending scrambling, steep ground and mine hazards. https://www.walklakes.co.uk/walk_253.html

Tilberthwaite, Wetherlam and Coniston Old Man circuit

From Tilberthwaite Gill car park, take the Crook Beck crossing and Steel Edge ascent to Wetherlam. Continue around the northern flank of Black Sails to Swirl Hawse, climb Prison Band to Swirl How, then follow the ridge by Levers Hawse and Brim Fell to Coniston Old Man. Descend via Low Water and the Crowberry Haws area, then return by Miners Bridge, Hole Rake and the Tilberthwaite Gill approach to the starting car park. The Great Outdoors gives 15.3 km, 1,230 m ascent and 5½–6½ hours for this complete multi-fell circuit. It does not descend Wetherlam Edge or visit Black Sails' summit. Expect scrambling, a potentially difficult ford, loose descent and hard-to-find junctions in mist. https://www.thegreatoutdoorsmag.com/spot/wetherlam-and-the-old-man-of-coniston-route-guide/

Terrain, views and safety

Rough mountain paths, grassy and boggy sections, outcrops, scree and rocky ridges. Some upland paths become indistinct, and the edge routes require hands-on scrambling and careful descent.

In clear weather, the route guide describes views from Wetherlam towards Crinkle Crags, Bow Fell, Scafell and Scafell Pike. Visibility is not guaranteed.

Steel Edge and Wetherlam Edge contain steep rock and loose scree; wet rock can make scrambling and descent substantially harder. Mist can obscure faint summit and return paths. Carry a map and compass, check weather and daylight, and turn back if conditions deteriorate. Keep out of mine openings and away from shafts, unstable workings and quarry edges. Assess Crook Beck before crossing; no safe ford is guaranteed. Do not cross Levers Water dam when water is spilling over it. For a mountain emergency call 999 or 112, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.

These are source-based route outlines, not turn-by-turn navigation or a current access or conditions check. Carry appropriate mapping and navigation equipment.

Access and facilities

The Coniston circuit starts by the Tourist Information Centre and adjacent car park at SD303975. The edge and multi-fell circuits start at Tilberthwaite Gill car park, NY306010. These starts come from the route sources; current charges, capacity and restrictions have not been verified.

Plan food, water and equipment before leaving the valley. Current toilets, refreshments and opening hours at the route starts have not been verified. Check current access information and signs, including temporary restrictions, rather than treating a published route as an access guarantee.

A current trailhead public-transport service and last return have not been verified; check before travelling.

Name and history

Geoffrey Leech's university-hosted account lists Wetherlam among names whose origin is obscure because early recorded forms are scarce. No definitive wet-place, sheep or weather derivation is established here.

The National Trust's Greenburn mine record describes mining north of Wetherlam in phases from the late 17th century through 19th-century intensification and later restart attempts. This complex history is not reduced to a single continuous operating period, and the record does not establish present-day access or safety.