Great Round How, Honister, Coast to Coast
More Articles in the Ennerdale Bridge to Rosthwaite subsection
Great Round How in the foreground, Pillar in the background, from Grey Knotts
Great Round How, Honister, Coast to Coast
Great Round How (554 m) is a rounded, lesser-known top between Grey Knotts and Haystacks, just south of the Coast to Coast path near Honister. Though overshadowed by surrounding peaks, it offers solitude and wide views across upper Ennerdale. It also marks the start of boggy ground around Dubs Bottom, where route-finding can become difficult in poor conditions.
Alongside its smaller neighbour, Little Round How (494 m), the fell attracts climbers and boulderers, offering short single-pitch routes - Great Round How is graded 3, and Little Round How at 2. Neither are classified as Wainwrights. In poor visibility, Dubs Bottom can confuse Coast to Coast walkers who stray from the main route between Seavy Knott and Grey Knotts. The area is prone to flooding from Warnscale Beck and its feeders, making navigation challenging. In such conditions, look eastward for the large stone cairns flanking Grey Knotts to regain the trail.
Great Round How & Warnscale Beck
The Coast to Coast path between Grey Knotts and Fleetwith offers a fine view across Dubs Bottom to Great Round How — a solitary “mountain island” rising from the basin between Haystacks, Grey Knotts and Fleetwith Pike. The surrounding terrain is often boggy, especially near Dubs Bottom.
Great Round How from Brandreth
From the slopes of Brandreth, Great Round How appears closely aligned with Haystacks, though they are farther apart than they seem. Blackbeck Tarn lies in the hollow between them, and a line of old fence posts — likely marking a historic parish boundary or stock enclosure — runs across the foreground. Beyond, the northern ridge leads the eye down to Buttermere, shimmering in the distance.
Great Round How Boulder Frontage
The east face of Great Round How forms a compact, rocky slope of Borrowdale volcanic rock — rough-textured and ideal for developing climbing technique. Though not a major crag, it offers solid single-pitch routes favoured by local climbers for training and bouldering.
Boulder Slabs of Little Round How
A path from Haystacks skirts the northern flanks of Great Round How and Little Round How, crossing the upper reaches of Warnscale Beck before continuing on to Dubs Quarry. The route offers an easy passage through this otherwise rough, waterlogged terrain.
Little Round How South Face View
Looking back toward Little Round How from the banks of Warnscale Beck, the broader form of Great Round How rises behind, dominating the skyline beyond the marshy basin.
Great Round How Warnscale Beck
From the slopes near Dubs Quarry, you gain a clear perspective over Great Round How, Little Round How, and Dubs Bottom. Great Round How is the dominant crag rising south of the large loop in Warnscale Beck, while Little Round How lies between this loop and the main summit. The steep-sided defile where Warnscale Beck descends into Dubs Bottom lies just east of Great Round How. To the north, beyond these features, sits the old Green Crag Quarry.
Hiking the Coast to Coast trail guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast is a digitally enhanced eBook designed to accompany you on your journey along the Coast to Coast path. Available on Apple Books for iPhone, iPad and Mac, the guide includes:
• Mapping with interactive features
• Step-by-step route directions
• Hundreds of colour photographs
• Route conditions in different weather
• Historical and cultural points of interest
Whether you’re planning your trip or already on the trail, it’s a practical and beautifully illustrated resource to carry with you.
