Brim Fell (on the way to the Old Man) – Lake District Walks
January 30, 2022
Always one to go against convention, I picked Brim Fell as an alternate route up to The Old Man of Coniston. Â The “Old Man” is definitely one of the more popular fells to climb in the Lake District, being easy to navigate and the path nicely stepped. Â However, it isn’t one of the highest. Â In fact, it ranks number 32 in Wainwright’s 214 fells at a mere 2633 feet (802 metres). Â Brim Fell is only 22 feet lower in height and only half a mile from the top of Old Man, the path described by Wainwright as “an easy stroll”. Â We decided not to take this “easy stroll”, but instead make Brim Fell the main target and go there first via a very steep wander through bolder valley. Â And as Wainwright said “mercifully free from the din and clatter of the busy old man path“.
The ascent of Brim Fell via Raven Tor
We started our walk in Coniston and strolled through the Coppermine valley towards Levers water.  The path we took is not an obvious one, but after reading our Wainwright chapter on Brim Fell (only 2 routes are described), we decided on the route that took us past two potential caves (basically old mine shafts). I always love anything that sounds like a bit of an explore, it was the obvious route for me!  To get on the correct path we first went past the pudding stone and over Low Water Beck (well ok, as I was passing I felt the need to climb on top of the pudding stone too).  We then looked for a grassy steep path on the left between 2 crags below Raven Tor.  Half way up we were able to find an old mining shaft that still has the rail tracks going right inside the mountain.  A quick stop for a snack then onto Low water and Raven Tor before our target of Brim Fell.
The summit
Don't miss on a Brim Fell walk
- Another chance to admire and maybe climb The Pudding Stone (see my attempt in the video below).
- The old mining shaft on the lower flanks of Raven Tor. Â The old tracks inside go as far as the eye can see.
- A stop at Low water to take in the views and watch the many people walking up the Old Man path.
- A slight detour to the top of Raven Tor. Â A beautiful craggy top which is worthy of a few extra steps for the view down to Levers Water.
- Views of Coniston all the way up.
- The “easy stroll” to the top of The Old Man of Coniston….well it is only half a mile away. Â
