Sour Howes
483m (1585ft)
The Far Eastern Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 5.5ml (8.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 1,582ft (482m) |
| Time: | 3.75hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Troutbeck Bridge - Garburn Road - Backstone Barrow - Sour Howes - Sallows - Garburn Pass - Troutbeck - Troutbeck Bridge
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 7.5mls (12km) |
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| Ascent: | 1,216ft (462m) |
| Time: | 4.25hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Ullthwaite Bridge - Croft Head - Meadowplatts Plantation - Capple Howe - Sour Howes - Sallows - Garburn Pass - Crabtree Brow - Kentmere - kentmere Hall - Hall Wood - Kentmere Plantation - Sawmill Cottage - Kentmere - Ullthwaite Bridge
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 11ml (17.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,410ft (1,039m) |
| Time: | 7½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Troutbeck Bridge - Garburn Road - Backstone Barrow - Sour Howes - Sallows - Garburn Pass - Yoke - Ill Bell - Froswick - Wanfer Crag - Hagg Gill - Trout Beck - Troutbeck Tongue - Lowther Brow - Long Green Head - Limefitt Campsite - Troutbeck - Troutbeck Bridge
See Sour Howes and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
The Far Eastern Fells of The Lake District National Park
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See Sour Howes and the surrounding tops on our downloadable Peak Bagging Maps in PDF format:
NB: Whether you print off a copy or download it to your phone, these PDF Peak Baggers' Maps might prove incredibly useful when your are up there on the tops and you cannot get a phone signal.
*This version is marked with the walk routes you need to follow to Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 walks.
You can find Sour Howes & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps:
1:25,000 scale OS Explorer Map (orange/yellow covers):
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Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Sour Howes
Martin Hartshorne walked up Sour Howes on January 20th, 2026 [from/via/route] Dubbs road [with] finley [weather] Mostly grey but skies but clear. Windy out of tje valley & cold
Andrew Gayne climbed Sour Howes on April 29th, 2025 [from/via/route] From Troutbeck [with] Becky [weather] Really sunny & hot - In the lakes for 2 days. Drove to Troutbeck & did a circular route up Sour Howes & then Swallows before doubling back. Lovely day & lovely walk with great views
James Hughes bagged Sour Howes on September 11th, 2024 [from/via/route] c332 The Hagg Gill Round from Troutbeck [weather] Mixed. Odd shower, warm in valleys, cold on tops. Clear visibility. - Stunning & reasonably straight forward easy to navigate walk. Beautiful vistas. Multiple jet fly-bys. Tongue boggy & tusoucky in places. Mortal Man for post walk pint.
Martyn Howarth hiked Sour Howes on May 30th, 2022 [from/via/route] From Troutbeck (Church Bridge) up Garburn Road onto Sour Howes, then over to Sallows, down to Garburn Pass & back down Garburn Road. [with] Angela Howarth, Tilly Howarth, Archie Howarth and Barnaby the dog. [weather] Rather cloudy, but not too cold & no rain to speak of. Visibility OK from time to time.
Caroline Winter summited Sour Howes on April 14th, 2024 [from/via/route] Jesus church, Sour Howes, Sallows [with] Solo [weather] Weather deteriorated to rain & wind, but views across to Stony Cove good
Paul Roddam conquered Sour Howes on March 17th, 2024 [with] Barber [weather] Cloudy coming into sun
Sarah Moore scaled Sour Howes on February 24th, 2024 [from/via/route] c332 / The Hagg Gill Round from Troutbeck. Loads of parking options & the route was well defined. Only thing to watch for is the path down when on the ridge. Most continuing on from Froswick but I needed to go left - it's clear if you look for it! Nice to go along the path once down at the Gill / stream - the road / track would be easier if there was a hurry. [with] On my own [weather] February frost, but dry although low visibility for most of the walk - particularly once past Sallows until coming down from Froswick. Glad of layers today! - 10 months since I've been in The Lakes - & it was so so good to be back. Not as cold as I expected & the sun made an appearance but visibility was rubbish. Coming down from Froswick was lethal & I went full length twice - but very glad for the poles & nothing that the washing machine can't fix! (Disappointing given how clear it was later in the day & the next day!)
Richard Fulcher walked up Sour Howes on January 28th, 2024 [from/via/route] We parked in Troutbeck near the church & set off up a track through 'The Howe'. This track turned sharp left & then gradually climbed to meet 'Garburn Road'. We followed this up towards the Garburn Pass, turning right over a stile at Garburn Nook. We then followed a clear path up to Sallows ( 516m) & then back down & around the ridge (Moor Head) until rising again to the summit of Sour Howes (483m). The route down was steep in places following a SW direction past Backstone Barrow until meeting up with the Garburn Road again. Out of interest & for an easier lower section we veered off to pass through the Limefitt Holiday Park before reaching our car again. [with] Jen [weather] Cold winter's day, sheltered on the ascent but windy in places on the tops. - A good walk to start 2024 in the Lakes, but not a lot of interest compared to the central lakes area.
David Higginbottom climbed Sour Howes on February 9th, 2023 [from/via/route] Route c332 [with] Carolyn [weather] Good
Tim Winn bagged Sour Howes on September 3rd, 2023 [from/via/route] Troutbeck Church [with] Barry and Louise [weather] Foggy
Andrew Thornton hiked Sour Howes on August 7th, 2023 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Jenny [weather] Overcast - Excellent path.
Rob Bennion summited Sour Howes on November 12th, 2022 [from/via/route] from Troutbeck [with] Ron Southworth [weather] Warm & foggy
Clare Tait conquered Sour Howes on August 6th, 2022 [from/via/route] Parked at the end of Dubbs Lane & followed easy track to the hillside. [with] Charlie [weather] Calm, mild & mostly sunny. Perfect walking weather. - Our no 80 Wainwright. Completed with Sallows. Very pleasantly surprised by such a lovely walk on springy grass. Great if you want a couple of crag free Wainwrights.
Pete George scaled Sour Howes on May 3rd, 2022 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Roco [weather] Overcast. Wet on tops
Christine Shepherd walked up Sour Howes on March 27th, 2010 [from/via/route] Walked using walk c349 from Troutbeck [with] On my own [weather] Fine - Bagged again with the mountain bagging group on 12.1.19. Glorious light over the fells. . . . [edit] Climbed again solo on 27.04.2022
Ian Ashton climbed Sour Howes on April 17th, 2022 [with] Liam Jack Jenna wife steve Claire Ruby Connie Joe
Claire Rigg bagged Sour Howes on January 30th, 2022 [with] Heidi [weather] Sunny
Dave Gay hiked Sour Howes on September 26th, 2020 [from/via/route] From Limefitt Park, up via Garburn Road, Sour Howes, Capple Howe, followed wall down to Dubbs Road & back to Limefitt Park. [with] Solo
Geoff Hand summited Sour Howes on November 10th, 2021 [from/via/route] c332 The Hagg Gill round from Troutbeck [with] Alone with Tess [weather] Warm & Dry - Set out from Church Bridge. Sour Howes is the first Wainwright on the walk.
Paul Ward conquered Sour Howes on April 25th, 2016 [from/via/route] Started from Staveley [with] Jamie
Simon Boddy scaled Sour Howes on July 13th, 2021 [from/via/route] Church Bridge [with] My girlfriend [weather] Sunny & clear
Helen Needham walked up Sour Howes on July 6th, 2021 [from/via/route] Troutbeck then onto Sallows [with] Mark [weather] Sunny ish.18 deg. - Wainwright No 5
Christina Lander climbed Sour Howes on June 8th, 2021 [from/via/route] Troutbeck Bridge - Sour Howes - Sallows - Troutbeck Tongue - Troutbeck Bridge [with] Dick [weather] Started off cloudy but brightened up later. Very warm - During our holiday at Station House, Troutbeck, Penrith
Richard Marshall bagged Sour Howes on April 25th, 2021 [from/via/route] Hagg Gill round [with] Dave Jones Elsie and Roxy [weather] Warm Sunny
Mark Hazelton hiked Sour Howes on April 11th, 2021 [from/via/route] Walked route c332 The Hagg Gill Round from Troutbeck. Great walk with all seasons in one day. Made a slight diversion after Troutbeck Tongue. [with] Family and Pepper [weather] All seasons in one day
John Fenwick summited Sour Howes on October 17th, 2020 [from/via/route] Walked from Troutbeck following walk c349 [with] Romany [weather] Overcast but good visibility - Stuck to walk as recommended. Easy to follow. Relatively easy walk compared to others we have done.
Phil Higgins conquered Sour Howes on July 12th, 2020 [from/via/route] Dubbs Road & Garburn [with] Su Higgins [weather] Fine - Run with Su
Iain Jones scaled Sour Howes on July 10th, 2020 [from/via/route] Troutbeck
Adrian Howard walked up Sour Howes on January 6th, 2014 [from/via/route] Moor Howe, Ings
Richard Marchant climbed Sour Howes during August, 1989 [from/via/route] This was a two day trip with an overnight camp on top of High Street. The route took me from Penrith along High Street the old Roman Road to Windermere via the following Wainwrights. Loadpot Hill, Whether Hill, High Raise, Rampsgill Head, High Street, Thornthwaite Crag, Froswick, Ill Bell, Yoke & Sour Howes. [with] On my own for this trip [weather] Dry & fine weather but extremely windy overnight to a point that I thought my tent was going to be blown away, but alas it survived.
Andrew Johnson bagged Sour Howes on November 21st, 2019 [from/via/route] Town Head, Troutbeck [with] Ted [weather] Cloudy
Nick Dobson hiked Sour Howes on November 9th, 2019 [from/via/route] Troutbeck Church via Garburn Pass after first completing Sallows [with] Margaret & Ralph [weather] cold but dry, with high cloud & excellent views - 6 more to do in the Far Eastern fells & 67 in total
Simon Myerscough summited Sour Howes on October 27th, 2019 [from/via/route] C349 from Troutbeck, Townend NT [with] Joanne Myerscough [weather] Lovely day, bright, cold & dry very breezy at top
Chris Kent conquered Sour Howes on July 18th, 2019 [with] Gary (brother) [weather] Windy, showery & chilling
Peter Fielding scaled Sour Howes on April 13th, 2019 [from/via/route] from troutbeck including sallows. missed the stile by a few hundred yards so scrambled up steep hill to reach the right path. ruth,s boots left at home so pete walked in trainers. bright windy day starting at zero degrees [with] Peter and Ruth [weather] perfect
Liz Sheerin walked up Sour Howes on March 19th, 2019 [from/via/route] Troutbeck-Sour Howes-Sallows-Troutbeck [with] Neil [weather] cloudy & sometimes mizzle
Craig Steeland climbed Sour Howes on August 4th, 2018 [from/via/route] From Limefitt bus stop in Troutbeck [with] With Sue [weather] Warm & partly cloudy with excellent visibility
Elaine Evans bagged Sour Howes on July 26th, 2018 [from/via/route] From Church Bridge, Troutbeck - followed clear path to Sallows & returned over tops to Sour Howes & back to car. [with] Sue [weather] Beautiful - fine & sunny with a warm breeze. - Just far enough for us on such a hot day!
John Bryers hiked Sour Howes on July 9th, 2018 [from/via/route] Dubbs Reservoir road [with] With Mya. [weather] Very hot although lots of cloud. Very dry on tops & no water for Mya to drink! - Cripsy duck pancakes for lunch :-)
Darren Wilson summited Sour Howes on March 18th, 2018 [from/via/route] Limefitt, Sallows, Sour Howes [with] Lone walk [weather] Generally clear but high winds blowing loose snow
Andy Jakob conquered Sour Howes on August 12th, 2017 [from/via/route] from Kirkstone pass Inn to Staveley [with] AFWC Colin, Rory and Connor [weather] Rain in morning till 13.30 Low cloud but cleared to beautiful day on ascent of Froswick - Slow walking Rory held us back by at least an hour!
Michael Nolan scaled Sour Howes on August 8th, 2017 [from/via/route] walk c349 [with] James [weather] very showery everywhere.....except on us!
Colin Millar walked up Sour Howes on August 4th, 2017 [from/via/route] YHA Windermere Yoke Circuit [with] On my own (as usual) [weather] Grey & cold for August - a few sunny spells (very few) - View of Windermere was very grey - all day - even when I had some sun on me
Phillip Bulley climbed Sour Howes on July 6th, 2017 [from/via/route] Via Church Bridge & the Garburn Pass [with] Ruby. [weather] Overcast
Chris Sheard bagged Sour Howes on October 30th, 2008 [from/via/route] From Sallows [with] George [weather] Slushy funny Cold Icy day - Good navigation training - interesting off
Dave Eyes hiked Sour Howes on April 4th, 2017 [from/via/route] Troutbeck Village [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Windy & Sunny
David Baines summited Sour Howes on April 29th, 2017 [from/via/route] from Church Bridge. [with] Alone [weather] Overcast, mild. - A good long day coming off Froswick down Scot Rake & back along Troutbeck Tongue to Church Bridge via Garburn Road.
John Tippins conquered Sour Howes on April 15th, 2016 [from/via/route] Church Bridge, Troutbeck [with] Solo [weather] The day started sunny, but soon after starting the walk it got cloudy & rained for a short while & was quite windy on top. It brightened later & was quite warm by mid-afternoon.
Anthony Thorpe scaled Sour Howes on February 25th, 2017 [with] Sean, mick and ian [weather] Heavy rain
Louis Smith walked up Sour Howes on December 18th, 2016 [weather] fog
Steve Cookson has climbed Sour Howes [from/via/route] troutbeck [with] gillie [weather] fair
Mark Davidson bagged Sour Howes on April 7th, 2003 [with] Alone [weather] Lovely & sunnt
Adrian Sherriff hiked Sour Howes on September 12th, 2016 [from/via/route] c332
Andrew Joss summited Sour Howes on August 31st, 2016 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Barbara [weather] Cloudy & damp
Colin Egan conquered Sour Howes on August 12th, 2016 [from/via/route] From Troutbeck up via the Garburn Road track [with] My wife Faith [weather] Mixture of sunshine, cloud & rain, quite windy but still warm - We had originally planned to walk higher fells today but the weather conspired against us, low cloud & hill fog are not good companions on some of the fells. A pleasant enough walk until we had to put our waterproofs on, warm weather is not great when you have to wrap up to keep the rain rain out
Paul Peppiate scaled Sour Howes on May 22nd, 2016 [from/via/route] Troutbeck Church [with] Annie [weather] Mostly sunny - Quite an unexpected long climb up. (Well, longer than we though anyway)
Charlie Housley walked up Sour Howes on May 7th, 2016 [from/via/route] Parked up opposite the Limefitt log cabin park & walked back to The Howe then followed the path over Longmire Road & then Garburn Road. Took the two ladder stiles & then followed the good path to the summit. [with] Candy the dog. [weather] Glorious, but hazy in the distance.
Chris Robinson climbed Sour Howes on March 19th, 2016 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Emma [weather] Sunny - perfect - Tough day towards the end. Also Ill Bell, Yoke & Sallows the same day
Tracey Cowell bagged Sour Howes on April 7th, 2016 [from/via/route] Garburn road/sour howes/sallows [with] Solo [weather] Sunny with scattered showers
Jill Dean hiked Sour Howes on January 10th, 2016 [from/via/route] Mortal man [with] Grezzy [weather] Cold & very windy - Found a geocache up here!
Dave Torrance summited Sour Howes on October 17th, 2015 [from/via/route] Troutbeck Church up old drovers track then right over a stile & straight up to the top , very steep. [weather] Sunny spells & very clear. Cool breeze on the top. - I found this to be steeper than anticipated & I was very tired at the top but recovered quickly & continued on to Sallows Hill.
Tony Rogerson conquered Sour Howes on August 4th, 2013 [from/via/route] Brow Foot Sour Howes & Sallows [weather] High cloud & sunny spells
Jon Mapp has scaled Sour Howes [from/via/route] c332 [with] Suzzanné [weather] Glorious day, clear skies, warm & sunny - most of the route is easy to follow.
Doug Martin walked up Sour Howes on February 2nd, 2011 [with] Fellwalkers [weather] Lousy - wind, rain & low cloud.
Kevin Parnham climbed Sour Howes on July 25th, 2015 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Jo [weather] Warm & sunny
Joanne Mcgawley bagged Sour Howes on June 27th, 2015 [with] Rich [weather] Warm :) - 11.22 miles
David Noble hiked Sour Howes on February 21st, 2015 [from/via/route] Trotbeck [with] Jack [weather] Cold with light snow but good views
Leon Harvey summited Sour Howes on March 8th, 2015 [from/via/route] c332 [with] Solo [weather] Wet Cold & Windy - There seems to be two similar height tops near the Grid Ref: Both had small Cairn, visited both to make sure :)
Marcus Bradshaw conquered Sour Howes on November 21st, 2014 [from/via/route] As part of Walk including Sour Hows, Sallows, Yoke, Ill Bell, Frosswick & Troutbeck Tongue (c332). We stayed at The Mortal man that night. [weather] The weather was pretty good but the wind was gale force in the saddle between the bigger peaks.
Anthony Scott scaled Sour Howes on October 26th, 2014 [from/via/route] Troutbeck Church Bridge [with] Hayley [weather] Showery & quite windy. Gales on the peaks
Christine Knowles walked up Sour Howes on September 5th, 2014 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [with] Graham [weather] Good - Wouldn't bother again - hard to find the actual summit; no cairn to be seen so relied on GPS!
Clive Ward climbed Sour Howes on August 16th, 2014 [from/via/route] Troutbeck church bridge (main road), Garburn Road, quarry. Continued to Sallows. [with] Hazel [weather] Cloudy, light drizzle to start, chilly for august - Coffee at Blackwell
John Almond bagged Sour Howes on March 27th, 2012 [from/via/route] Ings [weather] sunny
Keith Eastman hiked Sour Howes on June 17th, 2014 [from/via/route] c112
Bella Wella summited Sour Howes on May 24th, 2014 [from/via/route] troutbeck church [with] Paul
Harry Meijer conquered Sour Howes on June 18th, 2014 [from/via/route] Custom/Private walk [with] The Lake District Walker
Neil Bennett scaled Sour Howes on August 23rd, 2013 [from/via/route] From Troutbeck en route to Sallows [with] Pam Bennett, Oliver Bennett, Thomas Bennett
Ann Davis walked up Sour Howes on November 17th, 2013 [from/via/route] 555 bus to troutbeck bridge, then walked up to church bridge & beyond... [weather] foggy soggy boggy grim!!
John Senior climbed Sour Howes on February 23rd, 2013 [from/via/route] Troutbeck [weather] slightly snowing
Wayne Baxter bagged Sour Howes on October 11th, 2009 [from/via/route] Kentmere, Sallows, Sour Howes, Kentmere. [with] Sue [weather] Cloudy but warm
Iain Taylor hiked Sour Howes on November 24th, 2012 [from/via/route] Troutbeck (NY 41416 03015)
Bill Rowlands summited Sour Howes on September 17th, 2012 [from/via/route] Car Park at Church Bridge, Townend. Then onto Sallows [with] Jake - the chocolate labrador [weather] Cloudy, windy on the top, showers on the way up.
Darren Mortimer conquered Sour Howes on September 16th, 2012 [from/via/route] Troutbeck walk c332 [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] wet & windy
Ian Park scaled Sour Howes on July 1st, 2012 [from/via/route] From Troutbeck & on to Sallows [with] Mrs Carole Park [weather] Started off fine but soon turned to drizzle, gave the boots a very good wash in the wet grass. - Not a walk for bad weather
Stephen Littlewood walked up Sour Howes on June 12th, 2009 [from/via/route] from Troutbeck
Chris Bramley climbed Sour Howes on March 3rd, 2012 [from/via/route] Sallows & trout beck [with] Jaqui and blake [weather] Misty
Andy Nicholls bagged Sour Howes on August 28th, 2011 [from/via/route] Troutbeck Bridge
Neil Smith, Jason Aspinall, Stephen Byrne, Katherine Bonner, Patrick Rogozinski, Simon Burgess, Andrew Martin, Jenny Godfrey, Peter Thwaites, Melanie Dunn, David Hallam, Neil Heywood, Jane Wilkinson, Gill Bates, Dale Sexton, David Butterfield, David Kelley, David Kelley, Mr M A Blanchard, David Watson, Jo Dixon, David Shaw, Colin Hibbert, Louise Sandwith, Wendy Haycock, Jacqui Smith, Patricia Dilley, Simon Duerden, Jonathan Tobin, Paul Booth, Linda Mckeogh, Tracey Cordes, David Buttress, Victoria Bates, Trevor Williams, Paul Henderson, Sarah Lowe, John Cuthbert, Carol Juden, Patrick Buckland, John Southward, Stephen Millington, Jeanette Coward, Adam Shewry and Ray O'hara have all walked, climbed & bagged Sour Howes.
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Sour Howes
Sign near Ullthwaite Bridge at the start of the route up Sour Howes and Sallows
Backstone Barrow with Troutbeck beyond from the lower slopes of Sour Howes
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