Howtown via Bonscale Pike up Arthur's Pike (Lake District E): route map, distance and time
533 m · Lake District E · OS grid NY460206
Arthur's Pike is a grassy Wainwright at the northern end of the High Street range, with a steep face dropping to the east shore of Ullswater.
A steep path climbs from Howtown onto the edge above Ullswater, then follows it north over Bonscale Pike.
Howtown via Bonscale Pike at a glance
| Distance | 3.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 421 m |
| Time up | 1h 20m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Howtown, Ullswater |
| Start grid reference | NY 443 199 |
| Summit grid reference | NY460206 |
Howtown via Bonscale Pike map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Howtown via Bonscale Pike takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 2h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 30m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:04. Start by 15:04 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 15:02 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Arthur's Pike summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 19 mph gusting 24 mph, 30% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:04.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 1°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 25 mph, 69% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02.
Best day of the next seven for Howtown via Bonscale Pike: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 24 mph and a 30% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Arthur's Pike forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like 0°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Arthur's Pike
Arthur's Pike is a grassy Wainwright at the northern end of the High Street range, with a steep face dropping to the east shore of Ullswater. More about Arthur's Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Bonscale Pike (524 m), 0.9 km south-west
- Loadpot Hill (672 m), 2.7 km south
- Hallin Fell (388 m), 2.9 km west
Challenges that include Arthur's Pike
More walks from Howtown, Ullswater
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Howtown direct up Bonscale Pike
- Howtown lakeshore up Hallin Fell
- Howtown via Fusedale up Loadpot Hill
- Howtown up the north ridge up Steel Knotts
- Howtown via Fusedale up Wether Hill
Other routes up Arthur's Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pooley Bridge via Moor Divock | 3.8 km one way | 321 m | 1h 20m | Easy |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 443 199, the summit at NY460206), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Howtown via Bonscale Pike: questions and answers
How far is Howtown via Bonscale Pike?
Howtown via Bonscale Pike is 3.3 km one way to the summit of Arthur's Pike, with 421 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.6 km.
How long does Howtown via Bonscale Pike take?
About 1h 20m to the summit of Arthur's Pike and 2h 0m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 30m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Howtown via Bonscale Pike?
Howtown via Bonscale Pike starts from Howtown, Ullswater. The grid reference is NY 443 199.
Is Howtown via Bonscale Pike suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Howtown via Bonscale Pike today?
By 15:04 at the latest. Sunset on Arthur's Pike today is 18:04, Howtown via Bonscale Pike takes about 2h 0m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Howtown via Bonscale Pike?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).