Walking to Goat’s Water and Dow Crag – A Classic Lake District Hike

There are some walks in the Lake District that give you drama without demanding an entire day on the fells – and the route up to Goat’s Water, with the option of continuing onto Dow Crag, is one of those. It combines a sparkling mountain tarn, towering rock faces, and sweeping summit views – all within a few hours of walking.

Starting the Walk

Most people begin at the Walna Scar Road car park, above Coniston. From here, the track sets you off gently, with views already opening towards the Coniston fells. The sense of space builds quickly, and it doesn’t take long before you leave the bustle behind and settle into the rhythm of the path.

Reaching Goat’s Water

The approach to Goat’s Water is always a little magical. The path threads its way between slopes of grass and rock, and then suddenly the tarn appears – cradled in a hollow beneath the cliffs of Dow Crag. On a still day, the water mirrors the crag above, doubling its grandeur. On a windy day, the ripples add an extra energy, as though the tarn itself is alive.

Goat’s Water is a perfect place to pause. Some walkers stop here and return the way they came, content with the tarn’s beauty. But if you’ve energy in your legs, the climb above promises even more.

The Ascent to Dow Crag

From the tarn, the path steepens, zigzagging upwards until you find yourself looking down on Goat’s Water from high above. The views expand with each step – south towards Coniston Water and Morecambe Bay, north across the length of the Lake District, and west to the distant outline of Scafell.

Dow Crag itself is dramatic: sheer faces of dark rock plunging towards the tarn, beloved by climbers but just as striking to gaze at from the path. Reaching the summit, there’s a sense of standing on the edge of something immense. The ridge stretches away, inviting you further towards Buck Pike and Brown Pike, or even on to the Old Man of Coniston if you’re making a longer day of it.

The Return

Many walkers make a circuit by descending via the Walna Scar track, completing a satisfying loop back to the car park. By the time you return, you’ve experienced a little of everything that makes the Lake District special – water, rock, space, and sky.

Final Thoughts

Walking up to Goat’s Water and Dow Crag offers variety and reward without being overly strenuous. It’s a route that works as a half-day adventure, or as part of a bigger expedition across the Coniston fells. Whether you linger by the tarn or stride out onto the ridge, it’s a walk that lingers in the memory.