Harter Fell Mardale

Park in the car park at Mardale Head (a voluntary £2 payment is suggested). Pass through the deer gate and almost immediately turn left, following a signed path to Gatesgarth Pass. 

The path is easy to follow and the graidient sn’t steep, so it is a fairly easy ascent to the top of Gatesgarth Pass. Turn right here and follow a path over Little Harter Fell, which leads to the summit of Harter Fell. There are ever improving views over Haweswater along the way. From the summit you may see a host of lakeland fells, including the Scafells in the distance. The descent route is not immediately obvious and involves leaving the line of the fence and walking in the direction of the Scafells. After a short distance the descent route to Nan Bield Pass reveals itself. It’s quite a steep and rocky descent but there are no difficulties or dangers

The views ahead are superb. These include four bodies of water – Kentmere Reservoir, Blea Water, Small Water and Haweswater. On reaching Nan Bield Pass descend to Small Water and walkebeside its northern shore. At the foot of the tarn cross Small Water Beck via the stepping stones and follow the path beside the beck back to Mardale Head