Gummer's How

Gummer's How

Gummer's How is a 321.1 m Marilyn and Outlying Wainwright above southern Windermere. Its trig-point summit is reached from the Fell Foot Brow car park by short but rocky uphill paths. Two published short return routes are described separately because their geometry and ascent figures differ.

Summit

DoBIH identifies the trig point at SD 39044 88486 as the summit feature, at 321.1 m (1053 ft). It stands on rocky ground above Windermere.

Routes

Gummer's How from Astley's Plantation (WalkLakes return)

Start and finish at the picnic-area car park, SD389876. Follow the woodland path beside the road, cross carefully through the gates, then climb the stone-pitched path and rocky step to the summit trig. Continue north and use a right-turning minor path, then turn right beneath the summit to rejoin the ascent path and return across the road to the car park. WalkLakes gives 2.3 km and 118 m ascent for its outing. Its 39 minutes is explicitly a minimum, not a recommended duration. The optional northern knoll and direct retrace are not separately measured. Minor paths and the rocky descent need care.

Gummer's How with western summit return (Lakes Walks circuit)

Start and finish at the Forestry car park, SD389876. Walk briefly uphill on Fell Foot Brow, enter the kissing gate and climb past the woodland, stream, steps and fence. Continue over rocky ground to the trig point. Leave northwest toward Windermere, then take the left fork south around the summit's west side to regain the ascent path. Descend the steps, exit the gate and follow the road downhill to the same car park. Lakes Walks reports 2.4 km, 180 m ascent and an estimated 45 minutes for its complete route. The ascent differs from WalkLakes' 118 m and has not been reconciled; neither figure is transferred to the other route.

Terrain and safety

Woodland approaches and constructed steps lead to rocky upper ground with some indistinct paths. The direct rocky step can be awkward on descent. Mud, cattle and the road approach require care; this is not a step-free walk.

Rocky steps, loose stones and wet or muddy paths require careful footing; the direct step may be harder descending. Take care on Fell Foot Brow: routes involve a road crossing or short road section without a protected footway. Cattle have been reported on the hill. Keep dogs under control and follow current signs; no current animal positions or access clearance are established here.

Access and facilities

The short routes start and finish at Gummer's How car park on Fell Foot Brow, SD389876, uphill from the A592 near Newby Bridge. Forestry England identifies parking and picnic areas here; the summit is outside its land. Check current parking terms, notices and availability.

Forestry England lists the car park and picnic areas. Current parking charges and toilet availability are unverified. Fell Foot's café and toilets are separate facilities and must not be assumed to be at this trailhead.

Geology and history

BGS 1:50,000 mapping places the summit in the Silurian Bannisdale Formation: interbedded siltstone and mudstone of the Kendal Group, within the Windermere Supergroup. This is generalized mapped bedrock, not a new outcrop survey. A predominantly limestone summit is not supported.

Gummer's How is an Outlying Wainwright, included in Wainwright's Outlying Fells walking literature. It is separate from the core 214 Wainwright fells.

Views

The summit overlooks southern Windermere, with wider Lakeland and coastal views in clear conditions. No season guarantees good visibility.