Howtown direct up Bonscale Pike: route map, distance and time
524 m · Lake District E · OS grid NY453200
Bonscale Pike is a small Wainwright on the craggy edge above Howtown and Ullswater, often climbed together with Arthur's Pike.
A steep path climbs the bracken-covered face above Howtown to the edge and the summit.
Howtown direct at a glance
| Distance | 2.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 383 m |
| Time up | 1h 5m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Howtown, Ullswater |
| Start grid reference | NY 443 199 |
| Summit grid reference | NY453200 |
Howtown direct 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 direct takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 5m | 1h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 50m |
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 15:34 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 15:32 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Bonscale Pike summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Bonscale Pike right now. The main Bonscale Pike page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Bonscale Pike forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
About Bonscale Pike
Bonscale Pike is a small Wainwright on the craggy edge above Howtown and Ullswater, often climbed together with Arthur's Pike. More about Bonscale Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Arthur's Pike (533 m), 0.9 km north-east
- Arthurs Pike (533 m), 0.9 km north-east
- Loadpot Hill (672 m), 2.1 km south
- Hallin Fell (388 m), 2.1 km west
- Steel Knotts (432 m), 2.4 km south-west
Challenges that include Bonscale 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 via Bonscale Pike up Arthur's 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
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 NY453200), 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 direct: questions and answers
How far is Howtown direct?
Howtown direct is 2.1 km one way to the summit of Bonscale Pike, with 383 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.2 km.
How long does Howtown direct take?
About 1h 5m to the summit of Bonscale Pike and 1h 30m 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 1h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Howtown direct?
Howtown direct starts from Howtown, Ullswater. The grid reference is NY 443 199.
Is Howtown direct 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 direct today?
By 15:34 at the latest. Sunset on Bonscale Pike today is 18:04, Howtown direct takes about 1h 30m 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 direct?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).