Howtown up the north ridge up Steel Knotts: route map, distance and time
432 m · Lake District E · OS grid NY440181
Steel Knotts is a short, rocky-crested ridge in Martindale above Ullswater, with a craggy summit tor called Pikeawassa.
Climb the steep north end of the ridge and follow the crest south to the rocky summit tor.
Howtown up the north ridge at a glance
| Distance | 1.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 279 m |
| Time up | 0h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Howtown |
| Start grid reference | NY 442 196 |
| Summit grid reference | NY440181 |
Howtown up the north ridge 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 the Howtown up the north ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 40m | 1h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 25m |
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 15:54 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 15:52 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Steel Knotts summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 21 mph, 30% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:04.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 2°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 21 mph, 69% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02.
Best day of the next seven for the Howtown up the north ridge: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 21 mph and a 30% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Steel Knotts 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 Steel Knotts
Steel Knotts is a short, rocky-crested ridge in Martindale above Ullswater, with a craggy summit tor called Pikeawassa. More about Steel Knotts, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Beda Fell (509 m), 1.5 km south-west
- Loadpot Hill (672 m), 1.6 km east
- Hallin Fell (388 m), 1.8 km north-west
- Wether Hill (673 m), 2.1 km south-east
- Wether Hill (676 m), 2.3 km south-east
- Bonscale Pike (524 m), 2.4 km north-east
Challenges that include Steel Knotts
More walks from Howtown
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 direct up Bonscale Pike
- Howtown lakeshore up Hallin Fell
- Howtown via Fusedale up Loadpot Hill
- Howtown via Fusedale up Wether Hill
Other routes up Steel Knotts
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martindale church up the west side | 1.4 km one way | 213 m | 0h 40m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 442 196, the summit at NY440181), 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 up the north ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Howtown up the north ridge?
The Howtown up the north ridge is 1.8 km one way to the summit of Steel Knotts, with 279 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 3.6 km.
How long does the Howtown up the north ridge take?
About 0h 50m to the summit of Steel Knotts and 1h 10m 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 25m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Howtown up the north ridge?
The Howtown up the north ridge starts from Howtown. The grid reference is NY 442 196.
Is the Howtown up the north ridge 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 the Howtown up the north ridge today?
By 15:54 at the latest. Sunset on Steel Knotts today is 18:04, The Howtown up the north ridge takes about 1h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Howtown up the north ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).