Route: Silver How
Area: Central Lake District
Date of walk: 29th November 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.2 miles
Ascent: 1,400 feet
Weather: Sunny, bitterly cold wind on the tops
Silver How is the first lakeland fell we climbed, more years ago than I can remember, though I do recall that it seemed like a grand adventure at the time. It’s a modest fell in height by lakeland standards, but is set in a wonderful position between Langdale and Easedale and commands lovely views over both
We parked in the Red Bank car park near St Oswald’s Church Grasmere and walked out of the village along the private road to Allan Bank, the former home of Wordsworth – ‘the loveliest spot that man hath ever found’. We followed the lane around the house, eventually emerging onto open fellside. After crossing Wray Gill we were soon at the top of Silver How admiring the wonderful views of Grasmere, Rydal Water, Windermere and much else besides
We carried on down the undulating ridge, passing over Spedding Crag and Dow Bank as we did so, and when we reached Hammerscar Plantation we descended to Red Bank, a quiet road beside the shore of Grasmere, which we followed this back into the village. For a slightly longer version of this superb walk click here
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel before we set off for Grasmere
We arrive in Grasmere village
The well signposted track to Allan Bank...
The path passes round Allan Bank
Wordsworth lived here for 2 years, but complained that the chimneys smoked too much and as a result he fell out with the landlord and moved out
We continue up the metalled track
Grasmere village, with Helm Crag left and Seat Sandal right. In between is Dunmail Raise, the access to the valley from the north
Path beyond Allen Bank
Looking back to Seat Sandal and Fairfield...
...and to Great Rigg
We follow the easy path up the grassy slopes of Silver How
A view back to Grasmere village
Grasmere...
...and again. with Rydal Water beyond
Grasmere village and lake
Fairfield
Onto open fellside, and looking back along our path
Summit of Silver How, and a glorious view over Grasmere and Rydal Water...
Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes...
...Windermere...
...and Grasmere village
We descend the knobbly ridge, with views over Grasmere and Rydal Water
Looking back towards Fairfield
The path continues down the ridge
Great Langdale
Chapel Stile below
Looking back to Silver How
Crinkle Crags and Bowfell
Further along the ridge
We pass by a small unnamed tarn
We descend from Dow Bank and will turn left for Grasmere at the col below
We follow a soggy path between the dry stone walls towards Grasmere at the foot of Seat Sandal
Hammerscar Plantation
This path leads us down to Red Bank, a narrow lane leading back to Grasmere
Views of Grasmere as we walk along the lane...
Allen Bank as we arrive back in the village
A brief detour...
It would be unthinkable to visit Grasmere and leave without stocking up on gingerbread
On the way home, a photo of High Rigg and the Helvellyn range from Castlerigg
