I left home at 5am this morning for a long-weekend visit to the Lake District. From leaving home, to arriving in the Lake District, the weather was sub-optimal with winds gusting in excess of 50-60mph, and frequest rain showers. Given it was already after 11am by the time we arrived in the Lake District, with less than five hours of daylight remaining, we required a fairly short day.

Given the severe gale force winds, I decided I didn't want to go higher than c.400-500m so opted for an ascent of Silver How which at 395m would provide a nice short walk. I have already walked most of the higher fells anyway and need to start mopping-up numerous lower fells if I am to ever complete the Wainwrights.

For our ascent of Silver How, we parked in the large lay-by on the A591 where there is free parking.


Hill: Silver How
Date: Thursday 23rd November 2023
Company: Myself and Ann-Marie
Distance: 5.8km, Ascent: 330m
Time: 1Hrs 35Mins


Route:


From the lay-by, we crossed the A591 and then took the path leading to Grasmere village via the Millennium Bridge, a bridge constructed to celebrate the millennium.

Path to Grasmere village via Millennium Bridge:


Millennium Bridge:


On arriving in the village, we noticed a nice small shop selling gingerbread but alas we had both left our money in the car. We might return later this weekend to buy some.

Grasmere Gingerbread Shop:


St. Oswald's Church:


We then walked a short distance along the road which leads to Elterwater and Skelwith Bridge before commencing our ascent of Silver How via the track which leads to Chapel Stile.

Track to Chapel Stile:


We then followed the waymarked path for just over a kilometre before taking the fork leading towards the summit of Silver How via a well-constructed path.

Follow waymarked Public Path:


Looking back towards Grasmere village:


Silver How:


Views were limited throughout the walk as the rain was constant from start to finish.

Grasmere and Rydal Water:


During the ascent I knew the bulk of Silver How was providing shelter from the strong wind. I also knew that as soon as we reached the col, we would get blasted. I was correct!

Ascending Silver How:


Final ascent of Silver How:


On reaching the summit I stopped long enough to take a photograph before immediately commencing our descent back to the col and a short distance below to get out of the wind. At the summit, the wind was strong enough to physically blow you about. Given the strength of wind at just below 400m, I was glad we had not ventured any higher.

Summit of Silver How:


We returned to the car via the same route.

151/214 Wainwrights.