Parking
Start at Mardale Head Car Park at the end of the public road beside Haweswater, grid reference NY469107. It is a small car park of roughly 25 spaces and fills on busy days. Arrive early and do not obstruct the road or turning area.
Overview
About Harter Fell from Mardale Head
Why go
- Haweswater views from the summit ridge
- Small Water tarn on the return
Heads up
- Rough bouldery ground and a steep descent
- Small Water stepping-stone crossing
Haweswater fills the view for much of the climb and from the summit, with the reservoir stretched out below and the surrounding fells ranged around it. Small Water is the quieter highlight on the return, a dark tarn ringed by boulders. The circuit packs a genuine high mountain day into a short distance.
Parkwolf’s verdictThe payoffMap & elevation
The route
Loading the Lake District map
Full mapElevation241–763 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Lake District alerts
- ClosureChapel Stile footpath closed for retaining-wall riskPart of Footpath 543030 between Chapel Stile and Baysbrown campsite is closed because a retaining wall beside the path could collapse and material it supports could fall across the footpath.Official details
- ClosureStanley Ghyll Lower Falls footpath closed for rockfallThe section of Footpath 408037 leading towards Stanley Ghyll Lower Falls is closed because severe rockfall damage has made the path unstable and further rockfall remains a danger.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Lake District Tour Guide
Your drive to Harter Fell from Mardale Head, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Lake District National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Haweswater and Mardale Head0:00 / 1:18
“You're nearing Mardale Head at the southern end of Haweswater, where steep fells rise around the reservoir and the walks begin beside the water.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Lake District Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Swindale: Walk to the Lower Falls
- Sadgill: Grey Crag and Tarn Crag
- Burnbanks: The Village Built for a Dam
- Hartsop: Hayeswater Gill and Tarn
- 298 audio storiesacross Lake District’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Red Deer, Eurasian Otter, Osprey, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 265 trails, 89 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Harter Fell from Mardale Head
The walk in briefA 4.66 mile (7.
A 4.66 mile (7.49 km) loop from Mardale Head Car Park at the head of Haweswater, climbing to the Harter Fell summit ridge and returning past Small Water. Expect roughly 530 to 550 m of ascent and about 3.5 hours at an ordinary pace. Fitter walkers move faster, but treat quicker estimates as a minimum rather than a plan.
Route sequenceLeave the car park and climb the steady zigzag track of Gatescarth Pass.
- Leave the car park and climb the steady zigzag track of Gatescarth Pass.
- Turn off the pass onto the Harter Fell summit ridge and gain height along the crest.
- Continue over the summit, marked by its distinctive cairn, and on toward the Nan Bield ridge.
- Descend rough crags and grassy terraces to Small Water, the tarn cradled in the hollow below.
- Cross the Small Water outflow by stepping stones and follow the beck down through gates to the same car park.
Difficulty and terrainRated hard, about 7/10. There is no technical climbing, but the ground is demanding:
Rated hard, about 7/10. There is no technical climbing, but the ground is demanding:
Boots with ankle support and good grip make a noticeable difference on the descent.
- Rough and bouldery surfaces, with scree and loose rock in places.
- A steep ridge descent toward Small Water that needs care and attention to footing.
- Remote mountain path with real exposure to wind and rapidly changing weather.
- No reliable facilities anywhere on the route, so carry water, food, and spare layers.
Wayfinding and the stepping stonesThe Gatescarth Pass track is obvious, but the ridge and upper descent can be indistinct, with…
The Gatescarth Pass track is obvious, but the ridge and upper descent can be indistinct, with faint trods braiding across grass and rock. Carry a map and compass and be confident using them, especially if cloud drops onto the tops. The outflow of Small Water is crossed on stepping stones, which can be slippery and awkward when water levels are high, so check the crossing before committing and be prepared to take extra care.
Parking and accessStart from Mardale Head Car Park at the end of the public road beside Haweswater, grid…
Start from Mardale Head Car Park at the end of the public road beside Haweswater, grid reference NY469107 (approximately 54.48915, -2.82040). It is a small surface car park of roughly 25 spaces and fills on busy days. Arrive early, and do not park so as to obstruct the road or turning area. The approach road is a long dead end, so plan for the drive back out.
DogsOrdinary dogs are welcome. Water is available at both passes and at Small Water.
Ordinary dogs are welcome. Water is available at both passes and at Small Water. Keep dogs under close control or on a short lead around livestock, horses, and other walkers, and bear in mind that the bouldery descent and the stepping stones are hard work for smaller or older dogs.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Lake District
81 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
13 sightingsEurasian OtterMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
76 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
51 sightingsEuropean BadgerMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
233 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
176 sightingsGrey HeronMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
