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This Silver How walk is a fantastic family-friendly Wainwright near Grasmere, offering beautiful views across Grasmere, the surrounding fells, and even glimpses of Windermere in the distance. It’s definitely one to save for a clear day so you can fully appreciate views.
While many walking guides suggest tackling Silver How as a circular route, we recommend following it as a linear out-and-back walk instead, especially with children. The alternative descent is extremely steep and stepped, making it far less suitable for younger walkers, whereas retracing your route provides a safer and far more enjoyable family adventure.
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When planning your visit to the National Park, please arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds if visiting over sunny weekends or school holidays. Please also take all litter home with you, don’t bring BBQs, and park your car in designated parking areas. Also, please use these walks as a guide; access and stiles may change.
PARKING INFORMATION: Please do not rely solely on the postcode for parking directions. In the National Park, a postcode can cover a large area. Postcodes are only provided as guidance. Please either use the Google Maps point or what3words, which are provided on every walk guide.
Silver How walk map
On all Lake District family walks it’s a good idea to have an Ordnance Survey paper map with you, even if you have your phone on you. For this walk you need the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL7 (English Lakes South-eastern Area). It’s also a good opportunity to show young kids the map features and get them started with map reading.
Need to know
DISTANCE OF WALK: 4.7km / 3 miles
TERRAIN: rocky, uneven paths, very steep in places.
PARKING: Park in Grasmere village. We suggest Red Bank Car Park. Click here for Google Map point. Postcode is: LA22 9SW. Parking for up to 3 hours is £5.80, all day is £10.60. Payment by card or pay by phone (9919). The payment machine does not take cash.
WALK HIGHLIGHTS: views, stepping-stone crossing, a summit picnic spot overlooking three lakes, and bagging a Wainwright.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE: This walk can be done in 2.5 hours, but with young kids allow closer to 3.5 hours.
TOTAL ASCENT: 349 metres
FACILITIES: There are public toilets in the village, as well as a good choice of cafes, pubs, and shops.
The route
START: Emma’s Deli
Click here for Google Map point
Grid reference: NY 3363 0757
Post code: LA22 9SX
what3words: ///trooper.uptake.etchings
Route follows a linear route.
1. With Emma’s Deli in front of you, take the dead-end lane to the left.
2. Walk over the cattle grid. Before you reach the big gates to Allan Bank, the path splits. Take the tarmac path off to the right (you’ll see the sign).
3. The hill isn’t too steep at this point. Remember to turn round and enjoy the view! Keep going until you come to a farm. You will see a sign for Silver How, so head left.
4. The path then continues up, through fields and gates, with a wall on your left hand side. In the field just beyond the farm, there is a special request notice not to use those fields for any toileting, as it is the drinking water for the farm.
5. The footpath through these next fields can be very wet and muddy if it’s been raining. Continue upwards.
6. As you keep following the path, you will come to a section where the wall on your left turns away from you. Keep following the obvious path up the hill. After a while, you will see Wray Gill, with water running through it, down to your left. You will walk alongside Wray Gill for a while, then the path pulls away from it slightly to the right. Do not follow the path here. You will see another path leading you down to a narrow part of Wray Gill, where you will use the stepping stones to cross (water can be deep here after heavy rain). Once you have crossed, it’s a slightly scramble back up onto the hillside.
7. Follow the wide, obvious path along and up the side of the fell, with little piles of stones (cairns) marking the way. At one of the cairns, you will see a path to your left that takes you steeply to the summit. Follow this path and then enjoy those stunning views!
8. Now to head down. All you need to do is retrace your steps! And when you get back into village, make a beeline for The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, you’ve all deserved a treat.
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Also, feel free to share your walk photos in our Lake District Kids Facebook Group or on Instagram using by tagging @lakedistrictkidsuk in your caption so we can share with our wider community.