Yewdale Valley walk
Enjoy picturesque views of the Yewdale Valley on this pleasant medium-length walk from Coniston village which offers enough height to provide good views of the landscape but low enough to be not too demanding.
Near to
Tarn Hows and ConistonStart point
Coniston Primary School, grid ref: SD305978Trail information
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Coniston Primary School, grid ref: SD305978
Stage 1
Start opposite Coniston Primary School at Shepherds Bridge (bus stops here). Walk over Shepherds Bridge and take the Cumbria Way footpath immediately on the left, which will lead you through the fields.
Stage 2
Nearing the top of the hill, the path takes you through the woods of Back Guards Plantation, continuing along the Cumbria Way.
Stage 3
Bear left, keeping on the path that passes under the large oak tree, and head through the gate.
Stage 4
Go left at the path junction onto the track, heading for Low Yewdale.
Stage 5
Just before the stone bridge, take the Cumbria Way path on the right, heading for Tarn Hows. Go across the fields, following the path into the woods.
Stage 6
At the top of the track, head through the gate and follow the path around the front of Tarn Hows Cottage, heading for Glen Mary Bridge.
Stage 7
At the bottom of the hill, head through the gate and go right briefly along the road (take care, it can be busy). After 22yd (20m), turn left into Yew Tree Farm where you will head over a bridge. Take the path through the gates on your right.
Stage 8
You'll approach another bridge named Shepherds Bridge. Here you will head left over the road bridge for 33yd (30m) before taking the path on your right, heading for Coniston.
Stage 9
Keep an eye out for steps to a kissing gate on the left into a field: the little-used path takes you to the remains of a disused lime kiln. If you decide to have a look, you need to return back to this gate to continue the walk back to Coniston on the main path.
Stage 10
Bear right at the path junction to stay on the main path leading out of the woods. The rocks to the west are called the Borrowdale Volcanics: hard rocks that give the central fells their character. A fault line runs through the valley, separating these from the softer Windermere super-series rocks to the south and east.
Stage 11
At the end of the path, go through the gate and turn left down the road back to Coniston village centre. To return to the start of the walk you need to head left along the main road for 545yd (500m), then go right at the junction signposted to Hawkshead.
End point
Coniston Primary School, grid ref: SD305978
Trail map
Map of Yewdale Valley walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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