Capple Howe & Sallows

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Corfoot Beck → Sour Howes (2.3 km, 359 m)

   Climb of about 359 m over 2.3 km (around 16% average).

   Starting from the valley floor near Corfoot Beck (typically accessed from the Troutbeck / Garburn Pass lower lanes), ascend the steep, grassy south-western slopes through the lower enclosures. Break out onto the open fellside, bearing generally north-east to crest the broad ridge and reach the summit of Sour Howes

   Waypoints

   Corfoot Beck / Troutbeck valley floor, lower fell enclosures, Sour Howes summit (483 m)

   Decision point

   Keep the boundary of Applethwaite Common to your right. The line of ascent tracks directly up the natural shoulder. The summit area features several lumpy grassy hummocks; the true top is marked by a small cairn on the highest rise

   Easy to get wrong

   A stiff 16% average climb to warm up the legs. The lower grassy slopes are infamous for being heavily choked with thick bracken in the height of summer, which obscures uneven ground and trip hazards. The grass here holds a lot of water and becomes a slippery, sweaty slog after typical Lake District rain

   If you need to get off

   Turn around and carefully retrace your steps down the steep grass directly back to the valley tracks near Corfoot Beck

   

2. 2

   Sour Howes → Capple Howe (0.6 km, 0 m)

   Descent of about 48 m over 0.6 km.

   Head south-east from Sour Howes across the wide, grassy plateau, dropping gently into a shallow, often waterlogged depression before crossing the subtle rise of Capple Howe

   Waypoints

   Sour Howes summit, shallow saddle, Capple Howe (minor top)

   Decision point

   The ridge here is extremely broad, grassy, and lacks distinct rocky features. In thick clag, taking a rough compass bearing (south-east) is essential to avoid drifting too far east into the trackless Kentmere valley slopes

   Easy to get wrong

   Mechanically, this is an exceptionally easy, flat walk. The primary hazard is the ground underfoot: expect deep peat hags, hidden bogs, and standing water that require constant weaving and energy-sapping detours to keep your boots dry

   If you need to get off

   Retreat south-west back to Sour Howes and descend your original ascent route. Do not drop blindly east towards Kentmere Reservoir, as this will strand you in the wrong valley

   

3. 3

   Capple Howe → Sallows (2.2 km, 121 m)

   Climb of about 121 m over 2.2 km (around 6% average).

   Continue tracking generally north over the undulating, soggy moorland. The path gently gains altitude as it sweeps along the grassy shoulder, eventually rising to the domed summit of Sallows

   Waypoints

   Capple Howe, Moorland plateau, Sallows summit (516 m)

   Decision point

   A ruined drystone wall and dilapidated fence line run along much of this ridge, acting as an excellent, highly reliable handrail that guides you directly toward the Sallows summit area

   Easy to get wrong

   A gentle 6% climb that can feel much longer due to the soft, boggy terrain. The plateau is totally exposed to prevailing winds sweeping across the South Lakeland fells. Micro-navigation around the worst of the bogs is constantly required

   If you need to get off

   If the bogs become impassable or the weather turns aggressively, head strictly west to intersect the distinct, engineered track of the Garburn Pass, which offers a safe, hard-packed highway back to the valley

4. Sallows → Finish (3.5 km, 0 m)

   Descent of about 391 m over 3.5 km.

   Drop north-west off the summit of Sallows to intersect the major crossroads at the summit of Garburn Pass. Turn left (south-west) and follow the wide, rocky, highly eroded byway all the way down the valley back to your starting point near Corfoot Beck

   Waypoints

   Sallows north-western descent, Garburn Pass junction, rocky byway, Troutbeck / Corfoot Beck Finish

   Decision point

   The intersection at Garburn Pass is highly distinct and impossible to miss. Once on the pass, the wide, walled lane funnels you perfectly down the valley with zero navigational difficulty

   Easy to get wrong

   A massive, sustained descent to finish the day. The Garburn Pass track is an old vehicular route heavily surfaced with loose, rolling river stones and exposed bedrock. It is incredibly jarring on tired knees and presents a constant slip hazard, requiring firm foot placement all the way to the tarmac

   If you need to get off

   You are on the final exit route. Ensure you turn south-west (left) at the Garburn Pass crossroads; turning north-east will drop you down into Kentmere, resulting in a massive logistical detour away from your car