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653 m · Wainwright — Southern Fells · Birketts to bag nearby, parking, buses, my hikes and live summit weather.

Wainwright — Southern FellsAlso a Birkett

Harter Fell (Eskdale)

Harter Fell at 654m (2,146ft) in Eskdale is a shapely, rocky summit above Boot, quite distinct in character from the Mardale fell of the same name.

653 m
Height
~3–4 h
Typical time
+8
Bonus Birketts
See routes & download GPX →

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653 mWainwright — Southern Fells✓ summit is also a Birkett+8 bonus Birketts within 3 km Straightforward in cloud

Is it worth going? — Today’s conditions & 7-day summit forecast

Modelled guidance for the 653 m summit. Always check the Met Office mountain forecast and MWIS before you set off.

On the summit today (Tue 28 Jul): 14° to 13°C, gusts to 27 mph, 3.8 mm of rain forecast.

Tue 28 Jul
🌦️
14° / 13°
💨 27 mph
🌧 3.8 mm (99%)
Wed 29 Jul
🌧️
14° / 11°
💨 24 mph
🌧 5.8 mm (100%)
Thu 30 Jul
🌦️
12° / 7°
💨 29 mph
🌧 2.8 mm (87%)
Fri 31 Jul
🌤️
14° / 3°
💨 23 mph
🌧 0.0 mm (86%)
Sat 1 Aug
🌦️
14° / 4°
💨 15 mph
🌧 3.3 mm (82%)
Sun 2 Aug
☁️
16° / 8°
💨 20 mph
🌧 0.0 mm (35%)
Mon 3 Aug
🌦️
15° / 7°
💨 16 mph
🌧 0.2 mm (23%)

Forecast snapshot from 28 Jul 2026, 04:58 UTC — refreshed nightly and updated live in your browser. Temperatures and gusts adjusted to the 653 m summit altitude via Open-Meteo. Summit conditions are always harsher than the valley — check the professional mountain forecasts before you go.

Pro mountain forecasts: MWIS · Met Office mountain forecast

About the walk

Key information

Harter Fell (Eskdale)

Harter Fell (Eskdale), a Lake District fell
Photo: Andy Beecroft, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Harter Fell at 654m (2,146ft) in Eskdale is a shapely, rocky summit above Boot, quite distinct in character from the Mardale fell of the same name. Wainwright praised its steep, craggy flanks and excellent views, particularly the panorama up Eskdale to the Scafell group which is among the finest in southern Lakeland. The summit — crowned with an improbable cluster of iron fence posts — is reached most naturally from Eskdale Green or from the Hardknott Pass road. Combined naturally with Hardknott and Green Crag for a satisfying Eskdale circuit. The views west to the sea and the Duddon estuary are a distinctive bonus.

Routes up Harter Fell (Eskdale)

Hand-mapped, with GPX to download — full maps further down.

Alternative Hardknott Round (Green Crag, Harter Fell & Hard Knott)
14.7 km · ~4.5 hr · Hard
A rugged Eskdale round over three characterful, quiet tops — Green Crag, Harter Fell and Hard Knott — through some of the wildest, least-walked country in the Lakes, with the Scafells filling the skyline. Rocky, boggy and lightly pathed: a proper fell day for those who like their hills empty.
Classifications & hill data
Wainwright
Southern
Birkett
Fellranger
Synge
Nuttall
Marilyn
653 m
Height
2,142 ft
In feet
SD 2187 9971
Grid ref

Map & nearby Birketts

Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap (switch layers top-right). Parking positions are approximate.

Nearest parking: Hardknott Pass (roadside pull-ins), about 2.5 km from the summit (straight line). Full parking, toilets and bus details are below.

Birketts near Harter Fell (Eskdale) (within 3 km)

These Birkett tops are not Wainwright summits — detour to them on this walk and they are pure profit. Distances are straight-line; allow extra for terrain.

0.6 km NEDemming Crag525 m · Southern
1.2 km NNEHorsehow Crags433 m · Southern
2.0 km WKepple Crag328 m · Southern
2.1 km WSWCrook Crag469 m · Southern
2.2 km WSWGreat Whinscale427 m · Southern
2.4 km NNEBorder End522 m · Southern
2.5 km NWGoat Crag312 m · Southern
2.6 km SSWBirker Fell - White How444 m · Southern

Routes over Harter Fell (Eskdale)

Alternative Hardknott Round (Green Crag, Harter Fell & Hard Knott)Planned
14.68 km · ~957 m ascent · loop · ~4.5–6 h · Hard
Summits: Green CragHarter Fell (Eskdale)Hard Knott

✎️ Three wild, quiet Eskdale tops linked into a big round — boggy in stretches (notably north of Green Crag) and rocky underfoot; a dry, clear day makes all the difference.

⬇️ Download GPX

Best season: Late spring to autumn, in dry weather. The ground north of Green Crag is notably boggy and much slower when wet.

⚠️ Warnings: The ground north of Green Crag is boggy — wet, tussocky and slow, and worse after rain. Pick a dry spell and expect to lose time here.; Rough, rocky and only lightly pathed — navigation needs care in poor visibility. Carry map and compass.; A long, remote round (nearly 15 km, 950 m of ascent) with little quick escape; start early and carry food, water and layers.; Livestock on the lower fields; keep dogs under close control.

Full route guide ↗

✎️ Planned route — drawn but not personally walked or checked yet.

A planned line is a suggestion, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate independently and carry a map & compass.

The View from Harter Fell (Eskdale)

A computed 360° skyline — every visible named top labelled by distance and bearing, from the terrain model in perfect clarity, not photographed. Drag to pan; reveal the far four-nations horizon.

drag to pan · arrow keys
Computed 360-degree skyline from Harter Fell (Eskdale)36 labelled tops shown (12 distant behind the far-horizon toggle). Theoretical visibility in perfect clarity; computed from terrain, not photographed.eye levelNNEESESSWWNWScafell Pike · 8 kmScafell · 7 kmIll Crag · 8 kmBowfell · 7 kmPillar · 13 kmEsk Pike · 8 kmFairfield · 18 kmCrinkle Crags · 6 kmDollywaggon Pike · 18 kmScoat Fell · 13 kmHigh Street · 25 kmThe Old Man of Coniston · 6 kmHaycock · 13 kmBrim Fell · 5 kmDove Crag · 19 kmGreat Carrs · 5 kmHarter Fell · 26 kmGreat How · 6 kmBuck Pike · 5 kmSeatallan · 12 kmBrown Pike · 5 kmWhite Maiden · 5 kmBlack Combe · 16 kmWhitfell · 9 kmWhite Pike · 5 kmWhin Rigg · 8 kmCaw · 5 kmDemming Crag · 1 kmStainton Pike · 9 kmPikes · 5 kmCrook Crag · 2 kmGreat Whinscale · 2 kmIrton Fell · 8 kmFox Haw · 6 kmStickle Pike · 7 kmDent · 22 kmCrinkle Crags South Top · 6 kmBlack Crag · 13 kmHart Crag · 19 kmHigh Stile · 16 kmHigh Raise · 27 kmGrey Friar · 4 kmMardale Ill Bell · 25 kmHigh Crag · 15 kmLittle Stand · 5 kmSeat Sandal · 17 kmCaw Fell · 14 kmLittle Carrs · 6 kmWalna Scar · 5 kmBuck Barrow · 11 kmDow Crag · 5 kmHard Knott · 3 kmYoadcastle · 8 kmPlough Fell · 10 kmWhite Pike · 8 kmScar Lathing · 5 kmEskdale Fell · 4 kmWhite Combe · 15 kmBrock Barrow · 5 kmBoat How · 6 kmGreat Bank · 8 kmKepple Crag · 2 kmBurney · 14 kmDunnerdale Fells · 8 kmTottlebank Height · 12 kmMuncaster Fell · 11 kmIrton Pike · 10 kmWool Knott · 11 kmSnowdon · 158 km · a handful of days a yearAran Fawddwy · 181 km · a handful of days a yearSnaefell · 83 km · a rare clear dayCairnsmore of Fleet · 98 km · a rare clear daySouth Barrule · 99 km · a rare clear daySlieve Croob · 180 km · a handful of days a yearPendle Hill · 83 km · a rare clear dayMoel y Gamelin · 153 km · a handful of days a yearDivis · 184 km · a handful of days a yearBeneraird · 134 km · a handful of days a yearWinter Hill · 96 km · a rare clear dayBillinge Hill · 103 km · a rare clear day
What you can see from Harter Fell (Eskdale), by direction
  • North: Scafell (7 km), Bowfell (7 km), Scafell Pike (8 km), Ill Crag (8 km), Broad Crag (8 km), Esk Pike (8 km), Great End (9 km), Pillar (13 km), High Crag (15 km), High Stile (16 km), High Stile (16 km)
  • North-east: Stonesty Pike (5 km), Crinkle Crags South Top (6 km), Crinkle Crags (6 km), Crinkle Crags (6 km), Great Rigg (17 km), Fairfield (18 km), Dollywaggon Pike (18 km), Hart Crag (19 km), Dove Crag (19 km), Red Screes (20 km), St Sunday Crag (20 km), Caudale Moor (22 km), Thornthwaite Crag (24 km), High Street (25 km), Mardale Ill Bell (25 km), Rampsgill Head (26 km), Kidsty Pike (26 km), High Raise (27 km)
  • East: Grey Friar (4 km), Brim Fell (5 km), Great Carrs (5 km), Great How (6 km), The Old Man of Coniston (6 km), Harter Fell (26 km)
  • South-east: Buck Pike (5 km)
  • North-west: Red Pike (12 km), Scoat Fell (13 km), Black Crag (13 km), Haycock (13 km)

On the clearest days the far horizon adds: Snowdon (158 km, Wales), Carnedd Llewelyn (146 km, Wales), Aran Fawddwy (181 km, Wales), Snaefell (83 km, Isle of Man), Moel Siabod (154 km, Wales), Cairnsmore of Fleet (98 km, Scotland), Arenig Fawr (167 km, Wales), South Barrule (99 km, Isle of Man).

Computed from terrain in perfect clarity, not photographed · distances are straight-line.

Computed from Copernicus GLO-30 terrain; distant tops from the Database of British and Irish Hills (CC BY 4.0). See how we compute the view · and the summit intervisibility report below.

What you can see from Harter Fell (Eskdale)

On a clear day — computed sightlines, curvature- and refraction-corrected.
52Wainwrights in view+2 marginal
158 kmFurthest sightlineSnowdon (Yr Wyddfa) · possible under favourable refraction
2Sea in viewIrish Sea, Morecambe Bay

On the clearest days the view reaches across to Wales and the Isle of Man.

Far horizons
  • Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa) WalesSSW · 158 km clear
  • Carnedd Llewelyn WalesSSW · 142 km clear
  • Snaefell Isle of ManW · 83 km clear
  • Irish Sea open waterWSW · 39 km in view
  • Morecambe Bay bay/estuarySSE · 27 km in view
All 52 Wainwrights in clear view (nearest first)

Green Crag, Hard Knott, Grey Friar, Dow Crag, Brim Fell, Great Carrs, Slight Side, The Old Man of Coniston (Coniston Old Man), Cold Pike, Crinkle Crags - Long Top (Second Crinkle), Scafell, Pike of Blisco, Bowfell, Illgill Head, Scafell Pike, Whin Rigg (Wasdale), Esk Pike, Great End, Lingmoor Fell (Brown How), Yewbarrow, Middle Fell, Seatallan, Red Pike (Wasdale), Scoat Fell (Little Scoat Fell), Pillar, Haycock, Caw Fell, High Crag (Buttermere), Nab Scar, High Stile, Heron Pike (Rydal), Seat Sandal, Great Rigg, Low Pike, High Pike (Scandale), Fairfield, Dollywaggon Pike, Hart Crag, Dove Crag, Red Screes, St Sunday Crag, Middle Dodd, Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag, Gray Crag, High Street, Mardale Ill Bell, The Knott (High Street), Harter Fell (Mardale), Rampsgill Head, Kidsty Pike, High Raise (High Street)

How Harter Fell (Eskdale)’s view compares with all 214 — the View Report: every Wainwright ranked by what you can see from the top.

Sightlines from a bare-earth terrain model (forests and buildings not included), corrected for the Earth’s curvature and average atmospheric refraction. “Distant” sightlines and any over 100 km depend on exceptionally clear air. Modelled from Copernicus GLO-30 open elevation data — a guide to the view, not a guarantee of any single one.

Best parking to hike Harter Fell (Eskdale)

Where we have the data, each parking spot also shows the nearest public toilets and facilities (cafés, pubs, shops).

Hardknott Pass (roadside pull-ins) — 2.5 km from summit (straight line)
Limited pull-ins near the pass summit for Hard Knott and Harter Fell. Don't block passing places.
Directions
Seathwaite, Duddon Valley (roadside) — 3.0 km from summit (straight line)
Limited roadside parking near the Newfield Inn for the Dunnerdale fells and Walna Scar side.
Directions

Positions are approximate — zoom the map to confirm. Lakeland car parks fill before 9am on fine weekends.

Tip: pan and zoom the interactive map at the top of this page to spot other potential parking near your route.

Buses to Harter Fell (Eskdale) from Penrith / Ambleside / Windermere

No regular bus serves the start points for this fell — this is one for the car (or a long approach from the nearest served valley). The nearest hubs are Penrith (X4/X5 & 508), Ambleside and Windermere (555, 505, 516).

Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com or Traveline before relying on a last bus.

Navigating Harter Fell (Eskdale) in cloud

Straightforward

A broad, gently-sloping top with little to steer by — easy to lose your bearings and hard to relocate in mist. Navigation here is relatively straightforward even in cloud — but carry map and compass and know how to use them; a low score never means “safe”.

In winter — snow, whiteout, cornices, buried features — every top demands full winter navigation skills whatever its band, and a broad, gentle summit can be the worst place of all. See walking in bad weather and the navigation guide.

How Harter Fell (Eskdale) compares with all 214 — the Clag Index: navigating in cloud. A relative, deliberately cautious guide; the site can’t navigate for you.

Other fells near Harter Fell (Eskdale)

Maps & guidebooks for Harter Fell (Eskdale)

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