Far Eastern Fells · Book 2

Sour Howes

Sour Howes is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 483 m (1,585 ft) it is the joint 179th highest of the 214 and the 33rd highest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Height: 483 m; 1,585 ft
Rank: =179; of 214
In area: 33; of 36
Difficulty: Easy

Sour Howes in the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Mick Knapton via Wikimedia Commons

About Sour Howes

Low, lumpy and lovely above Troutbeck. Undulating turf leads to a crest with fine panoramas over Windermere and the Far Eastern skyline. Pairs naturally with Sallows and Wansfell for a fluid half-day ridge walk.

The western flank of Sour Howes drops steeply to the Troutbeck valley, and Troutbeck village is the place to start. Leave the village on the Garburn Road, the stony track that climbs towards Garburn Pass. Turn off it by Backstone Barrow and climb to the top. Or follow the track to the top of the pass, then turn south along the dry stone wall that links Sallows to Sour Howes. A round over both tops and back down the Garburn Road is about 9 km. From Kentmere there is a longer circuit that starts at Ullthwaite Bridge and comes up by Capple Howe, the fell's lower south eastern top.

Most of the fell is grass, with heather on the eastern slopes, which fall gently to Kentmere. Some of the ground along the wall is tussocky and boggy. There is no scrambling anywhere.

The summit is a cluster of knolls, and a pile of stones marks the highest one. The view is better than the height suggests. The high fells line up to the west, Windermere lies to the south, and on a clear day you can see out to Morecambe Bay.

Lower down the western slope is the old Applethwaite quarry, now disused and wooded over, and the Dubbs Road bridleway crosses that side of the fell. On the heather to the east are lines of grouse butts.

In winter

The route is low and grassy with no exposure, but the wall line between Sour Howes and Sallows gets boggy and tussocky, and the Garburn Road holds ice in its stony ruts. A good choice when the higher Kentmere fells are in cloud.

Ridge Walk
Great Views
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Sour Howes, go4awalk: Walks up Sour Howes. Updated 23 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 428 031
Latitude: 54.42099° N
Longitude: 2.88254° W
Area: Far Eastern Fells

Walking up Sour Howes

The nearest car park on foot is Sixth Form Car Park, 4.7 km (2.9 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Sixth Form Car Park

Distance: 4.7 km; 2.9 miles, one way
Ascent: 389 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 1 h 33 min; Allow 1 to 2 hours

Height in metres along the path from Sixth Form Car Park to the summit.

Times use Naismith’s rule, 5 km/h on the flat plus extra time for the climb, with Langmuir’s corrections. It’s a rule of thumb for the way up only, so add stops, weather and the walk back down.

The route follows paths mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors and isn’t a guided line. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Sour Howes questions

Is Sour Howes a Wainwright?

Yes. Sour Howes is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 2, The Far Eastern Fells.

How high is Sour Howes?

Sour Howes is 483 metres (1,585 feet) high. That makes it the joint 179th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 33rd highest in the Far Eastern Fells.

Where do you park for Sour Howes?

The nearest car park on foot is Sixth Form Car Park, 4.7 km (2.9 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Sour Howes?

From Sixth Form Car Park it is 4.7 km with 389 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 1 h 33 min, so allow 1 to 2 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Sour Howes?

Upfell rates Sour Howes as easy. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Sour Howes?

The closest are Sallows (516 m, 1.1 km NE), Wansfell (Baystones) (487 m, 3.2 km NW) and Troutbeck Tongue (364 m, 3.2 km N).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Sour Howes?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 428 031, or 54.42099, -2.88254 in latitude and longitude.