Dow Crag
778m (2553ft)
The Southern Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
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*Walk & bag all 30 Wainwrights in The Southern Fells area of The Lake District in just 11 easy-to-follow circular walks.
*This version is marked with the walk routes you need to follow to Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 walks. Click here for more information.
NB: Whether you print off a copy on to paper or download it to your phone, these PDF Peak Baggers Maps will prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal!
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 9.5ml (15km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,523ft (1,074m) |
| Time: | 7 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Walna Scar Road (nr Seathwaite (Duddon Valley) - Long Houses - Brown Pike - Dow Crag - Goat's Hawse - The Old Man of Coniston - Brim Fell - Levers Hawse - Swirl Band - Swirl How - Great Carrs - Grey Friar - Seathwaite Tarn - Walna Scar Road.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 12.75ml (20.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,191ft (1,277m) |
| Time: | 8.75hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Coniston - Walna Scar Road - Boo Tarn - Torver Beck - Cove Bridge - Goat's Water - Goat's Hawse - Dow Crag - Goat's Hawse - The Old Man of Coniston - Brim Fell - Levers Hawse - Grey Friar - Great Carrs - Swirl How - Prison Band - Keld Gill Head - Black Sails - Wetherlam - Swirl Hawse - Levers Water - Crowberry Haws - Walna Scar Road - Coniston
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Dow Crag
John Ramsbottom walked up Dow Crag on September 22nd, 2024 [from/via/route] Dow Cragg, The Old Man of Coniston,Brim Fell,Swirl How, Great Carrs & Grey Friar [with] Lola [weather] Mainly warm & Sunny - Good day with & Lola, went to Wilson Inn Tover, for a quick pint
Clare Tait climbed Dow Crag on August 11th, 2024 [from/via/route] Our no:100 Wainwright on the most beautiful day. [with] Charlie [weather] Sun 🌞 - Did not scramble up to the top sadly, but it looked beautiful
Tim Winn bagged Dow Crag on July 24th, 2024 [from/via/route] Coniston [with] Simon [weather] Sunny & clear.
Richard Fulcher hiked Dow Crag on July 7th, 2024 [from/via/route] Parked at the pay & display car park (£9) at the end of the drive-able section of Walna Scar Road just outside Coniston village. From there we set off on the track up 'Big Hill' turning sharp left at Crowberry Haws to follow the well trodden path through the quarries up to the Old Man of Coniston. We then traversed across the ridge to Brim Fell. We retraced our steps to where the path branched off down to Goats Hawse & followed that path across to Dow Crag. (This route was taken due to lack of visibility in low cloud). After scrambling up to the summit of Dow Crag we then followed the ridge across to Buck Pike & Brown Pike. From there we descended to the Walna Scar road & slowly descended back to the car. [with] Jen [weather] A complete mixture of weather. Initially fine & then heavy rain, very cold on the tops, low cloud blocking out all views. At times the visibility improved providing some views across Low Water & Goats Water tarns & later the weather cleared up providing lovely views from the Dow Crag ridge. The last stage of the walk was very warm with direct sun. - After the walk we visited the Ruskin Museum in Coniston (£10 entry fee) to see the fully restored Bluebird.
Christine Shepherd summited Dow Crag on July 31st, 2007 [from/via/route] Coniston using walk c420 Did the Coniston Seven again on 4.8.23 in wonderful walking weather. [with] On my own [weather] A gloriously sunny day - This was part of a wonderful walk. Once on the Coniston Fells I didn't want to come down. I did this walk again on 1.10.11.
James Hughes conquered Dow Crag on March 27th, 2023 [from/via/route] Walna Scar Road, Brown Pike, Dow Crag, Old Man Coniston, Brim Fell, Swirl How, Great Carrs, Grey Friar [with] Solo [weather] Clear, sun beginning to have some warmth, but cold on tops. Very boggy descent. - Awesome, if not brutal climb. Completed within 5 hoursish. Pint of Keswick Gold Bitter at Newfield Inn.
Paul Roddam scaled Dow Crag on February 5th, 2023 [from/via/route] from Walna Scar Car Park [with] Bri, Barber, Tom and Bowers [weather] Amazing sunny winters day
John Tippins walked up Dow Crag on October 23rd, 2022 [from/via/route] From Seathwaite (c179) [with] Alone [weather] Very low cloud, continual rain & strong winds almost all day.
Ian Ashton climbed Dow Crag on July 9th, 2022 [from/via/route] Part of seathwaite Round [with] Steve H
Andrew Jones bagged Dow Crag on May 7th, 2022 [with] Dom (son) [weather] Beautiful, sunny & hot & very clear.
Geoff Hand hiked Dow Crag on March 29th, 2022 [from/via/route] Walk Walk from Seathwaite. on The Walna Scar Road [with] Alone with Tess [weather] lovely morning early on, but turned cloudy & a bit damp early afternoon - Seathwaite is very secluded. took a lot of time getting there so did a shorter walk than I had planned. So did Brown Pike, Dow Crag & then Old Man. Came back by Seathwaite Tarn which was really nice. Very quiet after Old Man.
Kevin Foster summited Dow Crag on September 16th, 2021 [from/via/route] Coniston. [with] By myself. [weather] Sunny with some high cloud cover. Perfect conditions really. - I decided to revisit Swirl How & Great Carrs after the low cloud on the previous week's visit blotted out all the views. A brief summary of the route was: Coppermines valley, Levers water, Swirl Hause, Swirl How, Great Carrs, Grey Friars, Levers Hause, Brim Fell, Old Man, Goats Hause, Dow crag, Buck Pike, Brown Pike, Walna Scar, White Maiden & return to the Walna Scar road for the long descent back into Coniston. The clear visibility really opened up the views as far as Morecambe Bay, the Isle of Man & possibly Blackpool Tower!? A superb day's walking from start to finish.
David Lord conquered Dow Crag on September 26th, 2015 [with] Debbie Lord [weather] Beautiful sunny day. - An excellent walk up a high peak. We walked up from the left side of the car park & although a steep ascent is was manageable & as you reach the lower top slope there are no big crags to deal with, just a pleasant walk to the top. The return walk took in Goats Tarn, which we'd highly recommend.
Pete George scaled Dow Crag on July 17th, 2021 [with] Roco [weather] Sunny & Hot
Andrew Flynn walked up Dow Crag on August 10th, 2021 [from/via/route] Coniston. Walk number 19. The Coniston Fells [with] Nicola [weather] Sunny
Phil Higgins climbed Dow Crag on July 8th, 2021 [from/via/route] Walna Scar Road, Brown Pike, Buck Pike. [with] With Su [weather] Overcast & in flag on the summits, so abandoned plan to conquer Coniston Old Man.
Jeremy Torrance bagged Dow Crag on January 20th, 2017 [from/via/route] Coniston [with] Duncan and Johann
Damian Doyle hiked Dow Crag on June 14th, 2021 [from/via/route] Conniston [with] Yvonne, Ciaran & Orla [weather] Sunny, windy on top - First trip to Lake District
Christina Lander summited Dow Crag on June 7th, 2021 [from/via/route] Coniston - Dow Crag - Old Man of Coniston - Coniston [with] Dick [weather] Started off cloudy but brightened up later. Very warm - During our holiday at Station House, Troutbeck, Penrith
Mark Hazelton conquered Dow Crag on April 25th, 2021 [from/via/route] Walked from car park in Coniston via Walna Scar Road to Brown Pike, Buck Pike, Dow Crag then Old Man of Coniston dropping off front to Quarry via direct route [with] Family and Pepper [weather] Lovely sunny spring day - Must wear thinner socks or warm weather boots on warm sunny days
John Bryers scaled Dow Crag on April 15th, 2021 [from/via/route] Parked at Walna Scar Road top car park (Now pay & display at £4 for 4 hours & £8 for 9 hours). Walked up Walna scar road, took path or right on ridge up Brown Pike, Buck Pike & on to Dow Crag. [with] With Freya Gray, Jazz and Mya my faithful 13 year old Patterdale Terrier. [weather] Cold start with occasional icy winds but warmed up during climbing!
John Fenwick walked up Dow Crag on September 12th, 2020 [from/via/route] Walked from car park bottom of Walna Scar Road, Seathwaite & Duddon Valley. Followed walk c179 but went clockwise by mistake. [with] Romany [weather] Cloudy, super windy up top - Good circular walk. Easy to follow
Andy Buxton climbed Dow Crag on April 23rd, 1994 [from/via/route] Via Walna Scar Road [with] Solo [weather] Poor, with deep snow on top preventing continuation to other Coniston fells
Sarah Hamer bagged Dow Crag on May 8th, 2015 [from/via/route] Walked a full hike with Old Man also [with] Chris Hamer [weather] Dry & sunny
Adrian Howard hiked Dow Crag on October 14th, 2019 [from/via/route] Walna Scar Rd Car Park
Julian Bourne summited Dow Crag on October 5th, 2018 [from/via/route] Torver [weather] Fine
Andrew Johnson conquered Dow Crag on November 14th, 2019 [from/via/route] Coniston [weather] Some cloud, very windy, snow & ice on tops - Scary descent of Swirl How ridge.
Caroline Winter scaled Dow Crag on August 26th, 2019 [from/via/route] Wanna Scar road CP, Brown Pike, Buck Pike, Dow Crag, The Old Man of Coniston, Low Water, track via quarries back to CP. [with] Becky [weather] Warm with light SW wind. Visibility good at YH below, but poor towards Northern Fells. Improved by early afternoon & good views from The Old Man - Bank holiday walk. Last few places at car park, & hoping that sun dries mud at rear wheels of car when we get back, otherwise Becky will need to push us out. Pleasant walking up to Dow crag. Horrible biting midges on trig. Stopped for lunch overlooking Goats Water & then a steady climb to The Old Man, to find more midges. Passed walkers huffing & puffing up from the quarries. Our route up much more pleasant. Stopped at Low water to soak up the sun & bathe feet, & dared Becky to swim over to near by rocks-which she couldn't resist doing. Easy walk back to car, & mud had dried.
Richard Marchant walked up Dow Crag on July 7th, 1996 [from/via/route] This walk saw us all walk out of Torver & took us up to Goats Hawse where we traversed up to Dow Crag & descended on to Buck Pike then Brown Pike & finally back down to Torver. [with] Andrew (Shinner) Wright [weather] A fine dry day with a nice cool breeze & some sunshie - A walk done with Shinner while we were both based at Barrow on HMS Vigilant whilst in the build stage.
Elaine Evans climbed Dow Crag on June 7th, 2019 [from/via/route] From Coniston, walked up Walna Scar Road then ascended Coniston Old Man via Miners Bridge route, from summit followed path across to Brim Fell, descended to Goat's Hawse then up to summit of Dow Crag, retraced our steps to Goat's Hawse & descended to Goat's Water before following downward path to rejoin the Walna Scar Road back into Coniston. [with] Sue [weather] Beautiful day. Light refreshing shower on way back. - Beat the heavy rain today. Well worth taking the route via the disused mine track.
David Watson bagged Dow Crag on August 29th, 2018 [from/via/route] Coniston [weather] Sunny
Chris Sheard hiked Dow Crag on August 13th, 2018 [from/via/route] Up from Duddon valley via Walna Scar Road [with] Solo [weather] Started with drizzle went misty & stayed misty - Weather moved slower than forecast as sun came out as i got into the car. Still after 4th attempt finally got Dow Crag. Brown pike was quite nice though i have never seen as many daddy longlegs
Phillip Bulley summited Dow Crag on May 10th, 2018 [from/via/route] Via The Old Man of Coniston. [with] Ruby. [weather] Sunny & very windy.
Iain Jones conquered Dow Crag on August 27th, 2017 [from/via/route] Three Shire Stone, Wrynose Pass (The Wainwright 60 - Day 7 (Coniston)) [with] Graeme High
Andrew Joss scaled Dow Crag on July 23rd, 2017 [from/via/route] Coniston [with] Barbara [weather] Sunny with a little cloud
Simon Boddy walked up Dow Crag on June 30th, 2017 [from/via/route] Torver [with] HF Holidays [weather] Breezy & cool with low cloud turning warmer & sunny later.
Colin Egan climbed Dow Crag on March 9th, 2017 [from/via/route] continuation from Coniston Old Man & before that Brim Fell. [with] My wife Faith [weather] Crisp cold sunny day - Best top of the day, crags are most impressive & the view down to Goat's Water was stunning if a bit scary.
Mark Davidson bagged Dow Crag on June 11th, 2005 [with] Theresa, Ann & Kevin [weather] Lovely & sunny
Steve Cookson has hiked Dow Crag [from/via/route] coniston [with] gillie [weather] sunny
Richard Marshall summited Dow Crag on May 8th, 2016 [from/via/route] Fairfield horseshoe [with] Volkan Bo [weather] Sunny
Marilyn Wadkin conquered Dow Crag on April 10th, 2016 [from/via/route] Summiting Old Man of Coniston first then crossing Goat's Hawse to reach Dow Crag, Buck Pike & Brown Pike & back along Walna Scar Road. [with] Rob. [weather] Sunny & clear.
Michael Smyth scaled Dow Crag on June 3rd, 2015 [from/via/route] Dow Crag & Goats Water SD285945 [with] Brampton Fell Walkers [weather] Good
Tony Rogerson walked up Dow Crag on May 4th, 2011 [from/via/route] Brown Pike Buck Pike Dow Crag & Old Man [weather] Sunny
Anthony Scott climbed Dow Crag on September 22nd, 2015 [from/via/route] Coppermines Valley [with] me [weather] Sunny, some white cloud & occasional mist, but 14 degrees & almost perfect
Tracey Cowell bagged Dow Crag on September 10th, 2015 [from/via/route] Walna scar rd/ low water/coniston old man/ brim fell/ dow crag/ brown pike/ walna scar rd [with] Sister [weather] Sunny/ hazy/ 30 to 40 gusts
Kevin Parnham hiked Dow Crag on August 21st, 2015 [from/via/route] From Seathwaite,Duddon [with] Jo and Charlotte [weather] wet & fairly windy almost all day
Paul Peppiate summited Dow Crag on August 7th, 2015 [from/via/route] Coniston Old Man [with] Ann, Jessica and Jake [weather] Sunny - bit windy too. - Precarious photo opportunity!
Wendy John conquered Dow Crag on August 8th, 2015 [from/via/route] Coniston, Brown Pike, Buck Pike, Dow Crags, Great Hawse, Brim Fell, Great Crags [with] Chris Bunce [weather] sunny
David Noble scaled Dow Crag on May 23rd, 2015 [from/via/route] Walna Road [with] Chris [weather] Bright sunny day
Leon Harvey walked up Dow Crag on April 5th, 2015 [from/via/route] c179 [with] Solo [weather] Sunny
Charlie Housley climbed Dow Crag on March 18th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Brim Fell. [with] Jo and Candy. [weather] Sunny am, a bit cloudy pm, but remained dry all day.
Darren Wilson bagged Dow Crag on July 21st, 2012 [from/via/route] Coniston Old Man via Brown Pike, Buck Pike Dow Crag [with] Alone
Andrew Martin hiked Dow Crag on March 1st, 2014 [from/via/route] coniston
Bella Wella summited Dow Crag on September 26th, 2014 [from/via/route] from walna scar road [with] paul
Dave Eyes conquered Dow Crag on August 24th, 2014 [from/via/route] From Coniston village, along Walna scar road, up to Brown pike & along ridge to Dow Crag [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Sunny
Andy James scaled Dow Crag on August 4th, 2014 [with] Suzie James
Keith Eastman walked up Dow Crag on July 21st, 2014 [from/via/route] c179
Craig Steeland climbed Dow Crag on July 15th, 2014 [from/via/route] From Coniston village via Coniston Old Man [with] On my own [weather] Warm & sunny with low wind. Perfect!
Jacqui Smith bagged Dow Crag on July 5th, 2014 [with] Graham
Marcus Bradshaw hiked Dow Crag on April 24th, 2014 [from/via/route] Dow Crag , old Man , brim Fell , Swirl How , great Carrs , Grey Friar . [with] marcus [weather] sunny
Helen Marrs summited Dow Crag during 1967 [from/via/route] rock climb from goats water with bill ?? & Gladys sellers from the LC&CC
Jan Dixon conquered Dow Crag on May 27th, 2014 [from/via/route] Torver to Dow Crag, back round Goats Water [with] Tia and Anya Dixon [weather] Cloudy but fine
Bill Rowlands scaled Dow Crag on March 12th, 2014 [from/via/route] Walna Scar road / car park - Brown Pike - Buck Pike - Goats Hawse [with] Jake - chocolate labrador [weather] Lovely warm day with hazy sunshine
Steve Frank walked up Dow Crag on February 9th, 2008 [from/via/route] Coniston [with] Jackie Frank
Gill Watson climbed Dow Crag on April 18th, 2003 [with] G.Ru.P.S.
Ann Davis bagged Dow Crag on October 11th, 2013 [from/via/route] Consisting Old Man [weather] gusty up top
Clive Ward hiked Dow Crag during July, 2009 [from/via/route] Torver, Walna Scar, Brown Pike, Goat's Hause, Goat Water [with] Hazel, Anna [weather] Clear, windy - Hamster pic
Kenneth Mellor summited Dow Crag during 2007 [with] Jack, Jenny failed to show! [weather] Clear but windy
Beth Webster conquered Dow Crag on October 7th, 2012 [with] Hannah Phillips
David Heyes has scaled Dow Crag [from/via/route] Walna Scar Road, Coniston Old Man [with] Alison [weather] Sunny
John Nicholson walked up Dow Crag on October 16th, 2010 [from/via/route] walk c179 The Seathwaite Round from Seathwaite, Duddon Valley
Harry Meijer climbed Dow Crag on April 30th, 2013 [from/via/route] Coniston [with] The Lake District Walker
Kevan Cassley bagged Dow Crag on April 20th, 2013 [from/via/route] Walna Scar Car Park - Walna Scar Road - Brown Pike - Buck Pike - Dow Crag - Goats Hawse - Brim Fell - Consiton Old Man - Low Water - Walna Scar Car Park [with] Wife Amanda [weather] Sunny, clear & dry, around 13C, wind picked up from Brim Fell - Great walk with fantasic views
Dale Verrall hiked Dow Crag on December 2nd, 2011 [from/via/route] Seathwaite - Walk number C179 [with] Les & Amber [weather] Very cold an low cloud
Wayne Baxter summited Dow Crag on June 13th, 2009 [from/via/route] Coniston, Trover, Dow Crag, Old man of Coniston, Coniston [with] Sue, Trevor & Wendy [weather] Very sunny
Chris Bramley conquered Dow Crag on November 24th, 2012 [from/via/route] Wanna scar road [with] Jaqui, Blake jan [weather] Cold, misty
Iain Taylor scaled Dow Crag on July 25th, 2010 [from/via/route] Coniston (SD 30001 97460)
Simon Smith walked up Dow Crag on October 28th, 2012 [weather] A beautiful sunny (mostly!) autumn day - cold & windy on Brim Fell especially without proper hats, which we promptly bought in Coniston village when we got down!
Paul Macey climbed Dow Crag on August 14th, 2012 [from/via/route] Old Man of Coniston , then Brim Fell [with] Luke Macey
Paul Mayall bagged Dow Crag on June 9th, 2012 [with] Family members of mrt [weather] Rain & strong winds
Darren Mortimer hiked Dow Crag on July 8th, 2012 [from/via/route] Coniston [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] Wet & Misty
Christine Knowles summited Dow Crag on June 12th, 2010 [from/via/route] from Coniston [with] Graham [weather] Very good
Patrick Buckland conquered Dow Crag on January 12th, 2012 [from/via/route] Coniston Old man, Brim Fell & Levers Water [with] Janny [weather] Utterly beautiful, although bloody cold
Katherine Bonner, Darren Mcbryde, Patrick Rogozinski, Dale Sexton, Jenny Godfrey, Alex Jones, Clare Houlihan, Karen Roche, Tracy Corbett, Wendy Sockett, Jane Wilkinson, Dawn Roberts, Angela Moroney, David Kelley, Melanie Dunn, Neil Heywood, Trevor Longman, Jo Dixon, David Shaw, John Walter, Amanda Hinds, David Laws, Claire Rigg, Craig Lewis, Simon Clark, Steven Woodroffe, Carl Abbott, Edward Wells, David Butterfield, Adam Shewry, Louis Smith, Patricia Dilley, David Sheret, Simon Duerden, Jonathan Tobin, Michael Nolan, Jill Dean, Paul Booth, Louise Sandwith, Peter Clark, Gordon Lee, Lee Maddison, Paul Henderson, Linda Mckeogh, Trevor Williams, John Senior, John Kendall, John Cuthbert, Matthew Thomas, Adrian Cawley, Les Bennett, Jeffrey Hall, Kath Edwards, Paul Stevens, John Southward, David Kelley, Stephen Millington, Elaine Kenny, Rob Barklamb, Andy Nicholls, Paul Warren, Robin Blunden, Jeanette Coward, Ray O'hara, Linda Walker, Martin Jones, Jayne Phelps and Rebecca Hardy have all walked, climbed & bagged Dow Crag.
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Dow Crag
Coniston Water from the summit of Brock Barrow (Top o' Selside) with Beacon (Blawith Fells) prominent (centre) and the Coniston Fells: White Maiden, Walna Scar, Dow Crag, The Old Man of Coniston, Brim Fell, Swirl How and Wetherlam in the background (right)
High Light Haw (Top o' Selside) summit cairn with the Coniston Fells: White Maiden, Walna Scar, Dow Crag, The Old Man of Coniston, Brim Fell, Swirl How and Wetherlam in the background
Grey Friar (left), Dow Crag, Brown Pike and The Old Man of Coniston (right) from White Maiden
White Maiden summit cairn with Grey Friar (left), Dow Crag, Brown Pike and The Old Man of Coniston (right) in the background
Walna Scar, Dow Crag and The Old Man of Coniston from the summit of Yew Bank
Sun setting in the Duddon Valley and the Seathwaite Fells (Dow Crag, Brown Pike & Walna Scar) from the path up Harter Fell (Eskdale)
Top o' Selside summit cairn with the Coniston Fells: White Maiden, Walna Scar, Dow Crag, The Old Man of Coniston, Brim Fell, Swirl How and Wetherlam as a backdrop
Duddon Valley and the Seathwaite Fells (Dow Crag & Brown Pike) from the path up Harter Fell (Eskdale)
*Dow Crag, Goat's Hawse, Goast's Water and The Old Man of Coniston from Brown Pike
White Maiden, Walna Scar, Dow Crag and The Old Man of Coniston across Coniston Water from Crab Haws Woods
. . . see all 28 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Dow Crag
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