A distance Sour Howes seen from St. Raven's Edge

Sour Howes

Height483m (1,585ft)

Prominence35m (115ft)

RegionFar Eastern Fells

Climbed1 Time

Whilst it may lack the obvious appeal that draws walkers to the higher peaks of the Lake District, Sour Howes offers a pleasant, accessible walk with rewarding views. As Alfred Wainwright noted, it is a fell that might be overlooked by many, yet it remains a fine viewpoint, especially on a clear day.

"Sour Howes is a fell with no obvious appeal to walkers, and few other than conscientious guidebook writers will visit its summit; nevertheless it makes a pleasant walk from Windermere, Ings or Staveley especially on a clear day for the views are good." — A. Wainwright

The landscape of Sour Howes is predominantly grassy, though heather provides patches of colour on its eastern slopes. A high dry stone wall crosses the summit, providing a physical link to its neighbour, Sallows. Beyond the fell's quiet slopes lies the substantially sized, now wooded Applethwaite quarry, an interesting industrial relic situated along the Garburn track that is well worth exploring. The summit itself, a series of grassy knolls, provides an extremely fine vista of the higher mountain ranges to the west.

The summit of Sour Howes

Trip Reports

Sallows & Sour Howes25/01/2015

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