This is a stage of the original Furness Way (Arnside to Ravenglass). For the new 120-mile Westmorland and Furness Way, go to our main trail guide →
Stage 4 of the original Furness Way runs Lowick Bridge to Coniston: 11.7 miles (18.9 km) with around 341 m of ascent and a high point of 303 m. It's rated Moderate. Into the Lake District proper: up through quiet hamlets and over the open moor above Coniston Water's east shore to Coniston village.
Free and un-gated, no sign-up. Load the GPX into your GPS device or phone app. The route isn't waymarked, so carry it with you.
Pairs perfectly with our GPX files: import this file into Our Fells, save the OS map offline and follow the line with live GPS. 7-day free trial, then 10% off your first year with code . Affiliate link
Elevation Profile
Elevation derived from the route GPX sampled against a digital elevation model (Open-Meteo (Copernicus DEM)). Figures are approximate.
Key Takeaways
The Route & What to Expect
From Lowick Bridge the route climbs east through the hamlets of Bandrake Head and Ickenthwaite to High Nibthwaite at the southern tip of Coniston Water.
It then gains the open fell of Bethecar Moor and Parkamoor, high above the lake's quiet eastern shore on the edge of Grizedale Forest, reaching about 300 m. The views across the water to the Old Man of Coniston are superb. The route finally drops to the head of the lake and into Coniston.
This is the first stage with real open-fell walking. Paths over the moor can be boggy and faint, so take care with navigation in mist.
Getting to the Start & Finish
Start: Lowick Bridge has little public transport; taxi from Ulverston. Finish: Coniston has bus links to Ambleside and Windermere, and south towards Ulverston.
Always check current timetables. Rural services are limited in the evenings and on Sundays.
Where to Stay & Eat
Coniston is the largest village on the walk, with hotels, inns, B&Bs, a youth hostel and campsites, plus shops and cafés for restocking before the hills. It makes an ideal rest-day base.
Accommodation or café near Coniston?
Walkers use this page to plan where to stop on Stage 4. A Trail Partner listing puts your B&B, inn, campsite or café in front of them right here.
Become a Trail Partner →Stage 4 FAQs
About 11.7 miles (18.9 km) from Lowick Bridge to Coniston, measured from our GPX, with around 340 m of ascent and a high point of about 300 m on the moor above Coniston Water. Allow 5 to 6 hours.
Only at the ends. Most of the stage keeps to the higher ground of Bethecar Moor and Parkamoor above the east shore, which gives far better views of the lake and the Coniston fells.
Continue the Walk
All six stages, the full-route map and GPX: Original Furness Way guide · Which Furness Way? · Kit & safety