SD2799 : Levers Water and Great How Crags

Great How (Swirl Band)

775m Elevation
10m Prominence
England Country
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SD2799 : Levers Water and Great How Crags

Michael Graham Photo source

Explore routes near Great How (Swirl Band)

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Tarn Hows Fast Route

4.1 km ~1h Moderate

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Scafell Pike via Brown Tonge and Hollow Stones

8.1 km ~4h Hard

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Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route

14.1 km ~7h Hard

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Helvellyn via Striding Edge

11.2 km ~6h Hard

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Swirl Band Route

A well-trodden path starting at the nearby car park, leading through lush meadows and offering scenic views along the way.

3.5 km ~1.5 hours Moderate
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Birkett Synge

Elevation

775m

2,541 ft

Prominence

10m

Coordinates

54.3898, -3.1206

SD273999

OS Map

96 97

Explorer: OL6N

At the Summit

The summit is marked by a small stone cairn and provides panoramic views over the surrounding valleys and fells.

Terrain & Geology

Grassy with occasional rocky outcrops particularly near the summit.

The area is primarily composed of volcanic rock, specifically the Skiddaw slate group, giving it a rugged and ancient appearance. The terrain showcases intriguing geological formations formed over millions of years.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, hikers can enjoy views of the Helvellyn range, Ullswater, and the Northern Fells.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

'Great How' derives from the Old Norse word ‘haugr’, meaning a raised mound, highlighting the hill's prominent position in the landscape.

Historical Significance

The area has a rich history of human activity dating back thousands of years, including ancient farming and stone quarrying.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Swirl How Car Park (approximately 1 km from the starting point), which has space for several vehicles.

Public Transport

The nearest bus stop is in Thirlmere, with services operating from Keswick.

Nearby Facilities

There are limited facilities in the immediate area; however, Keswick offers a variety of cafes, shops, and public toilets.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Wet and slippery stones near the summit, and sudden weather changes typical of the Lake District.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Great How (Swirl Band)?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Great How (Swirl Band) through the maps

Are there other walkers around Great How (Swirl Band)?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Great How (Swirl Band) search or of course create your own walk for Great How (Swirl Band)

Can I organise a walk to Great How (Swirl Band)?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Great How (Swirl Band).

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Great How (Swirl Band)?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Great How (Swirl Band) here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: SD273999

View on OpenStreetMap

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