![Castle How [Raw Pike]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Castle_How_-_geograph.org.uk_-_730811.jpg)
Lake District
Castle How [Raw Pike]
498M
1633FT
About Castle How [Raw Pike]
Rising above the bowl of Easedale near Grasmere, this rocky Birkett offers a quintessential Central Fells landscape of heather and crag. Though frequently overlooked in favour of higher neighbours, its summit provides an exceptional, close-quarters vantage point over Easedale Tarn and the formidable profiles of Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.
Key Statistics
Rank
424th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Central Fells
Prominence
?
15.4m
Nearest Town
Chapel Stile
Geology
You are standing on layers of hardened volcanic ash and shattered rock. These rugged foundations were created by the debris of powerful eruptions.
Find It
Latitude
54.4590°N
Longitude
3.0694°W
Did You Know?
- •The name 'How' is rooted in the Old Norse haugr, denoting a hill or mound, while 'Castle' describes the fortress-like appearance of the craggy outcrops when viewed from the valley floor.
- •It serves as a prominent landmark on the popular ridge walk from Grasmere that connects Silver How with Blea Rigg, effectively dividing the Easedale and Langdale catchments.
- •From the top, walkers gain a specific and celebrated view of the 'Lion and the Lamb' rock formation on Helm Crag across the valley to the north-east.
- •Though not a Wainwright, it was included in Bill Birkett’s definitive 1994 list and Tim Synge’s later guide, marking it as a target for those exploring the Lake District beyond the standard pictorial guides.
- •Despite the grand name, the only thing 'Castle' about the summit is the defensive way it hides its best paths behind thickets of bracken and confusing rocky tiers.