White Maiden seen from the neighbouring Walna Scar
White Maiden
White Maiden is a beautifully rugged, rock-strewn child summit of The Old Man of Coniston, anchoring the far southern reaches of the great Furness ridge system. Sitting proudly on the outer limits of the high high-altitude country, this peak marks the final major crest of the range before the dramatic, craggy stone platforms drop away cleanly into the lower moorlands and coastal plains. It forms an exceptional, quiet playground for walkers looking to explore the wild gaps extending beyond the main peak paths.
Topographically, the mountain presents a fantastic, independent face when studied from the historic quarry tracks of the nearby Walna Scar pass. Pushing up cleanly out of the surrounding depressions, it possesses more than enough clear, sharp definition to be listed on both the independent Nuttall and Birkett registries. Linking it as part of a sweeping, horse-shoe round over Dow Crag makes for a spectacular day of classic ridge tramping, giving you a proper taste of the quieter corners of the Coniston fells.
Looking back from the summit towards the Coniston fells
The true high point is crowned by a neat stone cairn sitting on an exposed tower of glaciated bedrock. Pulling up a seat by this modest pile rewards walkers with a truly unique vantage point. Looking north from these stones provides a magnificent, layered perspective of the greater Coniston giants as they track into the distance, while turning your gaze to the south reveals an incredible, wide panorama stretching all the way to the shimmering waters of the Irish Sea.
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