Best walks for finding snow in the Lake District
Hoping to find some snow on your winter’s break in the Lakes?
While snow on the fell tops during winter is common, snow down in the valleys and villages happens less frequently. So if you’re seeking out the white stuff in the Lake District this winter, then here are some walks to maximise your chances.
It will no surprise to hear that, the higher up you go the colder it gets. It makes sense then that the most obvious place to start looking for snow is to get out and about into the hills and mountains of the Lake District National Park.
Just make sure you’ve got the proper kit for winter walking, which should include several layers of warm clothing, waterproofs, hat and gloves, flask of hot drink, map and compass, a torch in case you become benighted during the shorter days and appropriate footwearq. You may also want to consider crampons and an ice axe.
Scafell Pike
The highest mountain in the Lake District is Scafell Pike at 978m, so if you’re going to find snow anywhere it’s there. And if you want to walk the path less travelled, consider its nearest neighbour, the less frequently climbed Scafell, at the slightly lower height of 964m.
The most direct routes to either Scafell Pike or Scafell summit are from Wasdale Head at the head of the Lake District’s deepest lake, Wastwater.
Parking is at The National Trust Car Park at the northern end of the lake.
For Scafell Pike, leave the car park at the opposite end you entered, cross the wooden footbridge and take the track ahead alongside Lingmell Gill. A second footbridge recrosses the gill and continues steeply uphill next to the river. Follow the pitched stone path uphill, crossing the gill again, this time without a bridge, up towards Brown Tongue.
At Brown Tongue the path splits in two. Take the lefthand path to continue along to the summit via the slightly longer, but easier path to the summit. The stone path continues northeast before eventually swinging round to head southeast towards the boulder strewn summit of Scafell Pike. Stone cairns mark the path in cloud. The summit, once reached, is marked with a large cairn. The views on a clear day are unbeatable with incredible views north to Great Gable, Derwent Water and Skiddaw, east across to Langdale and the Eastern Fells beyond and south towards to the Irish Sea and Morecambe Bay.
Coniston Old Man
If you’re staying in or close to Coniston village, then the highest, nearest mountain, and therefore best chance of snow, is atop Coniston Old Man.
The most popular, and direct, route up Old Man from Coniston starts at the Sun Inn, just up the lane from The Coppermines office and Hidden Treasures gift shop. Take the signposted footpath between the Sun Inn and Dixon Ground Cottages. Go past Bend or Bump, then Dixon Ground Farm and continue on to leave the buildings and houses behind. Conitue ahead on the track and pass through a gate into the Coppermines Conservation Area. The track head uphill with Church Beck below and to your right. Continue past Miner’s Bridge without crossing it and go through a gate onto open fellside. You’ll see Coppermines Mountain Cottages to your right. Continue uphill and when the path joins the track from Walna Scar Car Park contine ahead and uphill towards the disused quarries and Low Water. The path zig zags uphill on a rocky path towards the disused Saddlestone Quarry. It passes next to some ruined mine buildings and alongside a large slate spoil heap. At one section you need to pass over, or under, a huge cable lying across the path which once transported slate down to Coppermines Valley.
The path reaches the somewhat ironically named Low Water where it turns left to make its way to east ridge of Coniston Old Man. After several zig zags the summit comes into view.
There are stunning views from the summit of the Scafells, Coniston Water and the rest of the South Lakes. A fine ridge runs north to Brim Fell then Swirl How beyond, should your legs feel up to it.
Raise
A lofty neighbour to Helvellyn, Raise is home to the only ski club in the Lakes. The Lake District Ski Club operates a 360m button tow on Raise, a mountain they claim is positioned best in the whole of the Lakes for snow. The grassy slopes provide up to 60 days skiing a year during good seasons.
In terms of walking routes, Raise can be hiked from Glenridding to the east, or Thirlmere to the west.
We took the route from Glenridding via the disused Greenside Lead Mine.
The route leaves the village by Greenside Road passing the Travellers Rest Pub and the lane that leads down to Rattlebeck Bridge and Gillside. The public road ends at Rake Cottages but continues as a wide, easy-to-follow mountain track.
Follow the track to the disused mine and Youth Hostel. At the mine, the paths to Sticks Pass, Kepple Cove and Helvellyn follow a zigzag track behind the YHA and are well signposted.
Above the terraces the track continues on towards Kepple Cove. We take the bridleway to Sticks Pass which turns off to the right and zigzags up the mountainside.
After a time you approach the course of the old smelting flue for the lead mine. After crossing the remains of the smelter flue leave the Sticks Pass bridleway and follow the course of the flue across the slopes of Stang. The smelter flue, marked as “The Chimney” on OS maps, is now almost completely collapsed after it fell into disuse a hundred years ago. It’s nearly one mile long and ends at a ruined stone stack near the summit of Stang, approximately 1100ft. above the smelter.
After following the flue to the summit of Stang, go past the ruined chimney stack to follow a paint path to the climb the east ridge up to Raise summit.
The Lake District Ski Club lift and ski runs lie to the northeast of the summit of Raise.
Skiddaw
As well as being the 4th highest mountain in the Lake District, it also one of the most northerly, so it’s a good place to start if you’re looking for snow.
The added advantage of a winter walk up Skiddaw from the popular route starting at Underskiddaw, is that the route is easy to follow, steady and avoids any real dangers such as steep drops or slippery, rocky scrambling. There is a well-laid path up the grassy fellside – however this may be harder to follow should there be heavy snow on the ground.
From the parking area at Underskiddaw at the end of Gale Road, leave the car park top end of the car park and join the path which is part of the Cumbria Way. The Cumbria Way branches off however we continue ahead and uphill.
The path begins to steepen at it climbs the grassy slopes. The route is simple, continue ahead and up. Eventually Skiddaw Little Man comes into view as the path approaches the summit ridge of Jenkin Hill. At a gate the path divides, with one path branching off to the left towards Skiddaw Little Man and one continuing ahead to Skiddaw. (Both paths will lead you to Skiddaw summit eventually but the Skiddaw Little Man path includes a slight descent after the lesser summit).
Continue along the main path. The diverting path from Skiddaw rejoins the main paths and approaches the south top of Skiddaw. The true summit lies further north along the rocky ridge – pass over Middle Top and then High Man to reach the summit of Skiddaw.
Helvellyn
Another obvious choice for snow-seekers is Helvellyn. The mountain has the honour of being climbed daily by a hardy team of fell-top assessors, who report on things such as temperature, windspeed and snow depth at the summit. So you can always find out about the presence, or absence, of snow before making your ascent. Should snow be present then we recommend the direct route from Swirls, Thirlmere which avoids both Striding and Swirral Edges and any potential winter hazards they may pose.
The route is via a pitched stone path which begins at Swirls Car Park on the A591 at Thirlmere.
At the back of the car park, cross the footbridge over the stream and follow the footpath signposted to Stanah and Helvellyn. Just before a stone wall the path to Helvelyyn branches off to the left, crosses a small footbridge then continues to climb the open fellside. Another bridge re-crosses Helvellyn Ghyll. The path then begins to zig-zag as it climbs and you’ll be treated to some spectacular views; north towards Skiddaw and east across Thirlmere towards Great Gable and Pillar in the distance. The path ascends to Browncove Crags which are prominent above you and once they are reached the gradient (thankfully) begins to ease. If you wish you can take a slight detour to the summit of Helvellyn Lower Man, otherwise stay on the wide, very obvious path as it makes its way towards the summit plateau of Helvellyn.
On the large summit plateaux you’ll be treated to incredible views of Striding and Swirrel Edges and Red Tarn below. There are some great selfie opportunities against the dramatic backdrop – which are even more impressive when there is some snow on the ground.
If walking in winter is not your idea of a great day out – then the one of the best chances of snow you which you can drive can be found at Kirkstone Pass. The pass takes you to 454m elevation, and it’s not uncommon for the road to be closed during winter because of the snow. If open however then there’s a good change you may find some snow near the highest point of the pass during the winter months – there’s even some spots for sledging should you be so inclined. And afterwards you can head into the highest pub in the Lakes, The Kirstone Inn, take up residence by the roaring fire and enjoy a warming drink of your choice.
The benefits of a self-catering cottage for your winter’s break. After a cold day in the snow, what could be better to warm up chilled limbs than a soak in a hot tub or a steaming bath following by warming cold toes in front of a roaring log fire? And unlike a hotel where facilities are shared, there’s no chance of being beaten to that comfortable looking arm chair closest to the fire and you won’t have to share the hot tub with strangers – you have everything within your chose cottage entirely to yourself.
