Lad Hows

Rising steeply from the shores of Buttermere, this rugged spur of Grasmoor offers a punchy, direct ascent through bracken and heather. As a Birkett and Synge, it provides an intimate perspective of the Crummock Water valley and the imposing crags of its parent fell, making it a rewarding, short, sharp climb.

• •The name is rooted in Old Norse, with 'How' deriving from haugr, meaning a hill or mound. 'Lad' is thought to be a simple reference to a young man, though local lore often links it to the 'lads' from Buttermere who used the ridge as a direct line onto the high fells.
• •While overlooked by Alfred Wainwright as an independent fell, Lad Hows is recognized as a distinct summit by Bill Birkett. It serves as the primary gateway for walkers tackling the formidable southern ridge of Grasmoor, the highest peak in the North Western Fells.
• •The summit offers a celebrated 'layers' view of the valley, where the flat floor of Buttermere village is framed by the steep slopes of Whiteless Pike to the east and the rugged silhouettes of High Stile and Red Pike across the water.
• •Despite its modest height of 426 metres, the ascent is remarkably steep and uncompromising; it gains almost all of its elevation in less than a mile, making it a favourite for those wanting to test their lungs before reaching the high plateau.
• •It is the kind of hill that manages to feel twice as high as it actually is, largely because it doesn't believe in the efficiency of zig-zags or the mercy of level ground.