Wetherlam – Lake District Walks
March 19, 2021
Wetherlam has become a familiar sight to us on our walks around Ambleside and the Langdales. Â First noticed and identified when we climbed Holme Fell, it has been on our radar to explore. Â However, it has persisted, until recently, to be uninvitingly covered in snow, ice and more often than not, cloud. Â But a sunny day in March gave us the opportunity to climb the outer steely looking hard exterior and discover that inside there is a warm and soft interior with a myriad nooks and crannies to explore.
Wetherlam - know before you go
Wetherlam is No.56 in the Wainwright’s at 2,502 feet (763m). Â There are three routes up and probably none of them should be attempted in snow or ice, especially the “Wetherlam Edge” – a steep rocky scramble that is almost always in the shade.. This was our route up and even in non-snowy conditions, it is not a simple stroll up a mountain. Â That said, as long as time and care are taken, it’s an efficient way up and the views (albeit straight down) are spectacular..
Anyone undertaking Wetherlam should definitely allow extra time for finding and exploring the old quarries and mines. Â The mountain has a plethora of them to be discovered.
A circular of Wetherlam from Lower Tilberthwaite
Having gone up the “Wetherlam Edge” and finding it a bit icy and hard to follow, we decided a different way down would be preferable. Â We chose a descent above Lad Stones to Hole Rake. Â This made a great circular with a fairly gentle and easy down and a highlight of a full length view of Coniston Water from Red Gill Head.
Rake – old norse “rak” meaning small mountain ravine.
The Summit
This was the highest we’d climbed so far this year and the views were spectacular. Â We could see the Scafells, the full Coniston range, the Langdales, all the way to the sea at Morcombe Bay and the Pennines in the distance. Â Basically good views all around. Â Join us on our walk with some spectacular scenery:
Don't Miss on a Wetherlam Wander
The old copper mines and quarries all over the fell are such a great diversion and well worth seeking out. Â Our favourites:
- Little Langdale quarries (ascent from Little Langdale). Â Also known as ‘Cathedral Quarry’ and Mr. Wainwright refers to them as ‘Black Hole Quarry’.
- Penny Rigg copper processing plant near Lower Tilberthwaite.
- The big holes in Tilberthwaite Gill.
- Greenburn Copper works (detour from Little Langdale ascent)
- The tarn just below Lower Hows – Best mirror photos we’ve had so far.
View of Coniston from Red Gill Head.- The “welcoming” inside of Wetherlam; soft grassy undulations, gentle streams and pleasant stony paths.
- Vertical layers of slate reminiscent of a pastry millefeuille (does anyone know what this is called or what causes it?)
Explore some more....
Having enjoyed the mines and quarries so much, we decided to explore the valleys below Wetherlam on 2 separate circular walks. Â We had so much fun on both walks hunting out levels, caves and shafts. Â The walking was slow, there wasn’t much up and they weren’t overly long…..personally I love this kind of walking. Â It’s not all about the ups and bagging, it’s about exploring.
Into the Coppermine Valley
On a very windy and hailstormy day we decided a low walk was the only way to go so we went into Coppermine Valley from Coniston. A first for us and a good way to explore the other side of Wetherlam and more of the remnants of its mining past. 
We discovered these large pits were where the waterwheels used to be housed. Â The operator of this particular one apparently got mangled in the wheel. Â Not a nice way to go.
Greenburn Beck and mines
Another “rest” day in the walking world, so we decided to explore the Greenburn beck valley side of Wetherlam. Â Our main reason was to find the great arch of the quarries around Little Langdale and find the old Greenburn Copper mines. Â Finding the caves and old mining holes was once again the highlight of our day….join us for a wonder through the caves and valley:
