Sour Howes and Sallows

Overview

About Sour Howes and Sallows

Why go

Quiet twin-fell circuit with big Windermere views
Good Wainwright tick with modest distance

Heads up

Faint, muddy paths and several awkward ladder stiles
Tiny roadside parking area

Map & elevation

The route

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Full map

Elevation124–504 m

TrailheadSour Howes and Sallows54.41620, -2.90767

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Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Use the small informal roadside parking area on the minor road between Church Bridge and Troutbeck, just off the A592 near NY411026. Space is very limited, around six cars. Walk back to Church Bridge, use the footbridge beside the A592, and cross to the signed restricted byway. Do not block the lane, gates, or road access.

Best time to go

Allow roughly 3 to 4 hours at an ordinary walking pace with summit stops. Clear weather gives the route its payoff, especially the views back over Windermere and across to the Coniston and eastern fells. The open ridge offers little shelter from wind, cloud, or rain, and the grassy paths can become muddy or hard to follow after wet weather. Winter snow can make the indistinct sections substantially slower.

Safety

Several tall ladder and step stiles require agility and can be awkward with a dog. Beyond the bridleway, paths across the grassy hummocks and bracken are faint and can be muddy, so this is a map-and-compass walk rather than a fully waymarked trail. The open summits are exposed to rapidly changing fell weather, and the short road crossing at Church Bridge needs care.

8 active Lake District alerts

ClosureChapel Stile footpath closed for retaining-wall riskPart of Footpath 543030 between Chapel Stile and Baysbrown campsite is closed because a retaining wall beside the path could collapse and material it supports could fall across the footpath.Official details
ClosureStanley Ghyll Lower Falls footpath closed for rockfallThe section of Footpath 408037 leading towards Stanley Ghyll Lower Falls is closed because severe rockfall damage has made the path unstable and further rockfall remains a danger.Official details

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Lake District Tour Guide

Your drive to Sour Howes and Sallows, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Lake District National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this trailhead

Troutbeck: Wansfell Pike and Baystones

0:00 / 1:07

“Up ahead is Jesus Church in Troutbeck, the starting point for a walk over Wansfell Pike and back through the village. If you fancy a substantial fell walk with a wide view over Windermere, this is a good place to stop.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Lake District Tour Guide.

Hiking Sour Howes and Sallows

The routeThis is an 8.7 km (5.

This is an 8.7 km (5.4 mile) circular walk from Church Bridge, with the full loop returning to the same roadside start. Cross the footbridge beside the A592, climb the restricted byway to the Garburn bridleway, then use ladder and step stiles and faint grassy paths over Applethwaite Common to Sour Howes (483 m). Continue north along the wall-lined ridge to Sallows (516 m), descend to Garburn Pass, and follow the track back. The stored distance includes the access from Church Bridge and the return via Garburn Pass.

What it feels likeThis is a quiet two-fell outing with broad views over Windermere, Troutbeck, Kentmere, and the…

This is a quiet two-fell outing with broad views over Windermere, Troutbeck, Kentmere, and the higher Lakeland fells. The initial climb is the work, while the ridge between the summits is a pleasant grassy traverse. Expect one short rough track section, mostly faint grass paths, bracken, soft ground, and several awkward ladder or step stiles. The tops are rounded and understated rather than dramatic, which is exactly why this is a good low-key Wainwright circuit and a poor choice if you want a polished, signposted attraction.

Dogs and accessDogs may use the route, but the ladder and step stiles are a genuine obstacle for some animals.

Dogs may use the route, but the ladder and step stiles are a genuine obstacle for some animals. Livestock is present on the surrounding fell land, so keep dogs under close control and use a lead around animals. On Open Access land, a short lead is a legal requirement from 1 March to 31 July, and local signs can add restrictions.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Lake District

All Lake District wildlife maps

81 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

13 sightingsEurasian OtterMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

76 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 8 AMSighting map

51 sightingsEuropean BadgerMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

233 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

176 sightingsGrey HeronMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.