[1] Leave Coniston by the Torver road, and once clear of the houses and past a minor crossroads the lake comes into view. On the left a stile (with finger post to "Coniston Hall") leads onto a path which cuts diagonally across meadows, over a stone stile and through a kissing gate. The path then joins a well made path towards the lake shore. Before reaching the Elizabethan manor house, Coniston Hall (A), the path joins a tarmac road.
Pass to the right of the Hall, and follow the road through the camp site and branch off left along a well made path to the edge of the lake. The path passes through the mixed woodland on the lake shore, and continues beside the water for about 2 miles. There is a path which leaves on the right about a mile from the Hall, but the way at this point is within sight of the lake. The last section by the lake is outside the woodland, and the path turns uphill shortly after passing a jetty before reaching a wood. Walk by the side of a stone wall for a short way before turning right up a broad grassy track. This is followed uphill keeping to the left of the summit. In clear weather, the summit of Coniston Old Man will appear in the distance directly ahead. The ascent takes us to above Kelly Hall Tarn, bears left and descends to a gate onto the road directly opposite a Land Rover garage.
[2] Turn right onto the road and walk along it with care for about 100 yards to where the road bends to the right. The way is down a bridleway signposted "Mill Bridge" on the left. Follow this to a bridge, turn right over it, and pass through a gate on the right to go by the top side of the mill. This is another old bridleway and it continues alongside Torver Beck for some way.
The beck hereabouts is noted for its interesting waterfalls.
Once through another gate the way becomes more definite, and the views towards Dow Crag and the Old Man are superb. Continue along the old way until reaching a lane, then turn right, and then right again, to rejoin the road into Torver. Now turn left and soon reach the A593. To the right is Torver Church (B); follow the main road past it until a right bend just before a bridge then turn into a lane on the left.
[3] Walk up the lane, passing turnings to right and left, following the sign to "Tranearth" past Scar Head cottages. This way is mainly uphill passing to the right of a barn and then bearing right following the sign to "Walna Scar" over a mainly level section towards the buildings of Tranearth and the old quarry. Go through a gate, bear right, pass through a second gate and out by a third gate to cross the bridge. Turn left between the quarry spoils: this path turns to the right and climbs alongside a water channel. The path skirts a huge quarry hole, in one corner of which is a large waterfall.
This deep gash in the feliside reveals the power man has over nature, but the recolonisation of the apparently bare rock suggests this is not the final word.
Above the quarry a green track is followed up to the Walna Scar Road. Turn right on joining this track and, skirting the base of the fells, follow it down to Coniston.
Alternatively, bear right off the Walna Scar Road along the paths to Heathwaite and down into Hawkshead. This avoids the last tarmac mile of the Walna Scar Road which can be busy with cars.