Silver How lies on the high ground between Grasmere and Elterwater villages. It can be approached from Grasmere, Loughrigg, Elterwater and Chapel Stile. My favourite approach is from Chapel Stile, particularly if there has been a significant amount of rain. Megs Gill looks quite impressive when in full spate. Care is needed on the path around Megs Gill at such times. It is quite narrow in places and the stones can be slippery when wet. It is not a busy fell even in fine weather. If you want solitude, you can quite often find it here.

To see larger images, click on the thumbnails.

The track that runs to the east of Silver How, just below the summit, crosses from Langdale to Grasmere and is known as Coffin Road. Apparently in times gone by there were no burial places in Langdale. Therefore the deceased were carried across to Grasmere along this track.

The beauty of Silver How lays in the glorious views from the summit. Looking from the north-east to the south-east is a magnificent panorama that takes in the following pieces of water:

• Grasmere
• Rydal Water
• Loughrigg Tarn
• Lake Windermere
• Elterwater

Sitting above Rydal Water is Heron Pike and the ascent to Fairfield. Sandwiched between Grasmere and Lake Windermere is Loughrigg Fell, looking small and quite insignificant.

Silver How is worth the climb on a clear day just for the view alone. It also provides an excellent alternative route to the Langdale Pikes via the ridge line. This can be a refreshing change to the busy Dungeon Ghyll route.

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Stuart Banner