Home / Routes / Mardale circuit

Written and walked by Lee McCoy · Last reviewed July 2026

Fresh snow over the top and a low winter sun, looking across a deep valley to the snow-streaked bulk of Mardale Ill Bell

Severe steepnessLoop

Mardale circuit

17.48 km

Distance

~5–7 h

Typical time

~1099 m

Ascent

Summits

Photo: © Lee McCoy

Download GPX →Walked by Lee, July 2026

Key facts

Distance 17.48 km

Ascent ~1099 m

Descent ~1100 m

Time ~5–7 h

Difficulty Severe overall — hardest: Steepness

Type Loop

Start Mardale Head (Haweswater)

The full circuit of the head of Haweswater — up the Rough Crag ridge to High Street, then Harter Fell, Branstree and Selside Pike around the far side. 17.5 km and 1,099 m, with eight mapped crag features near the line.

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

Difficulty profile

LengthHard17.48 km — a long day out.

SteepnessSevereSteepest sustained pull about 40% around the 4.1 km mark.

TerrainHardGraded on the ground.

NavigationModerateGraded on the ground.

ExposureHardGraded on the ground.

Five independent axes, not one score — all field-checked on the ground here, with nothing left as a desk estimate.

Conditions on this route

We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 5 of them. The worst summit governs the verdict — a route is only as kind as its roughest top.

Modelled guidance — not a substitute for the mountain forecast or your own judgement. See how every fell ranks today →

Daylight & turnaround

Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.

Why this matters: 78% of Mountain Rescue call-outs come after midday — the day runs out on the way home, not on the way up. See also walking in bad weather and today’s conditions.

OpenTopoMap

Elevation profile, shaded by steepness

1 Rough Crag (Riggindale)2 High Street3 Mardale Ill Bell4 Harter Fell (Mardale)5 Little Harter Fell6 Branstree7 Selside Pike

Easy 65%Moderate 23%Hard 11%Severe 1%

~1099 m

Total ascent

819 m

High point

241 m

Start height

Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap (switch layers top-right).

This walk covers about 17.48 km with around 1099 m of ascent, taking in 7 summits. The map above shows the line; the elevation profile and stage notes are below.

Access & barriers

Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route? A quick read from the gates and stiles mapped along the way.

Dog

Gates only

Buggy

Not buggy-able

Knees

Steep in places

Dog: Gates and kissing gates only — a dog can do the whole route.
Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
Knees: A sustained ~27% descent around the 15.3 km mark — a little jarring on tired knees.

On the line: 8 gates

These are mapped barriers, from OpenStreetMap — coverage in the Lakes is good but not guaranteed complete. Spotted a stile or gate we’ve missed? Tell us (opens in new tab) and we’ll fix it. Barrier data as of 2026-07-18. Access data © OpenStreetMap contributors (via Overpass).

Pacing

Summit	Cumulative	Ascent	Time (fast–steady)
1Rough Crag (Riggindale)	3.0 km	403 m	1:17–1:42
2High Street	4.6 km	680 m	2:03–2:44
3Mardale Ill Bell	6.1 km	693 m	2:22–3:09
4Harter Fell (Mardale)	8.0 km	847 m	3:01–4:01
5Little Harter Fell	9.2 km	850 m	3:16–4:21
6Branstree	10.7 km	990 m	3:48–5:03
7Selside Pike	12.7 km	1049 m	4:18–5:43
Finish	17.5 km	1099 m	5:20–7:05

Naismith-based estimate — a fast/steady range. Your pace will vary. These use Naismith’s textbook constants (5 km/h, 600 m of ascent an hour). Measured against a pace fitted to 41 recorded Lakeland walks they run about 8% slow, and we have left them that way deliberately: a slow estimate strands nobody.

The walk, stage by stage

1
Start → Rough Crag (Riggindale) (3.0 km, 403 m)
Climb of about 403 m over 3.0 km (around 13% average).
From the Mardale Head car park, take the path along the western shore of Haweswater and cross the footbridge over Mardale Beck. Once across, immediately begin the steep, rocky ascent straight up the spine of the Riggindale ridge toward Rough Crag
Waypoints
Mardale Head, Haweswater shoreline, Mardale Beck footbridge, Riggindale ridge, Rough Crag summit
Decision point
The ridge crest is unmistakable and serves as a continuous, dramatic handrail up the mountain
Easy to get wrong
A heavy 13% average climb to start the day. The Riggindale ridge is a spectacular, narrowing rocky spine that requires some minor, hands-on scrambling over the crags, making it one of the finest ascent routes in the Far Eastern fells
If you need to get off
Turn around and carefully down-climb the rocky ridge directly back to the valley floor
© Lee McCoy
2
Rough Crag (Riggindale) → High Street (1.6 km, 277 m)
Climb of about 277 m over 1.6 km (around 17% average).
Continue along the ridge, dropping briefly into the small depression holding Caspel Gate tarn. From here, tackle the steep, rocky staircase of Long Stile to breach the massive plateau of High Street, turning west to find the trig point
Waypoints
Caspel Gate tarn, Long Stile, High Street plateau, High Street trig point
Decision point
Caspel Gate tarn is an obvious marker before the final climb. Once on the plateau, the dry stone wall acts as an excellent handrail guiding you west to the trig point
Easy to get wrong
At 17%, the pull up Long Stile is the steepest section of the route and requires deliberate footwork on loose rock. As you crest the lip onto the plateau, expect the wind exposure to increase dramatically
If you need to get off
Retrace your steps down Long Stile and the Riggindale ridge; do not drop blindly into the coves on either side. ### The High Fells.
© Lee McCoy
3
High Street → Mardale Ill Bell (1.4 km, 13 m)
Descent of about 73 m over 1.4 km.
Walk south from the High Street trig point alongside the wall. The path descends gently into a shallow saddle before a very short, virtually flat transit to the summit cairn of Mardale Ill Bell
Waypoints
High Street summit, connecting saddle, Mardale Ill Bell summit
Decision point
Keep the wall on your left and rely on the plunging views over Blea Water to maintain your bearing
Easy to get wrong
Mechanically very easy walking on grass and stone, but this massive, flat expanse is notoriously dangerous to navigate if the clag drops
If you need to get off
Push forward to Nan Bield Pass for the most secure descent route
© Lee McCoy
4
Mardale Ill Bell → Harter Fell (Mardale) (2.0 km, 154 m)
Climb of about 154 m over 2.0 km (around 8% average).
Drop steeply south-east down the rocky path to the cross shelter at Nan Bield Pass. From the col, tackle the steep, zig-zagging rocky path up the opposing side to reach the summit cairns on Harter Fell
Waypoints
Mardale Ill Bell descent, Nan Bield Pass (stone shelter), Harter Fell summit
Decision point
The large, cross-shaped stone wind shelter at Nan Bield Pass is a massive visual waypoint
Easy to get wrong
The descent to Nan Bield Pass is loose and stony. The subsequent 8% climb up Harter Fell is a real calf-burner and feels particularly strenuous given the elevation already gained
If you need to get off
From Nan Bield Pass, turn left (north) and take the clear, well-trodden path past Small Water directly down to the Mardale Head car park. ### The Eastern Return.
© Lee McCoy
5
Harter Fell (Mardale) → Little Harter Fell (1.2 km, 3 m)
Descent of about 105 m over 1.2 km.
Follow the boundary fence line heading east/north-east, descending steadily over grassy, often boggy terrain toward the minor, indistinct top of Little Harter Fell
Waypoints
Harter Fell summit, boundary fence, Little Harter Fell
Decision point
The boundary fence is a permanent, reliable handrail all the way down
Easy to get wrong
The terrain shifts from rock back to grass here, and the ground holds water easily
If you need to get off
Push forward to the Gatescarth Pass crossroads for a safe exit
6
Little Harter Fell → Branstree (1.5 km, 139 m)
Climb of about 139 m over 1.5 km (around 9% average).
Continue descending alongside the fence to the major track crossing at Gatescarth Pass. Cross the pass and follow the fence line straight up the steep, grassy flank of Branstree to its flat summit
Waypoints
Gatescarth Pass, Branstree summit
Decision point
The fence line from Gatescarth Pass runs straight over the summit of Branstree, making navigation effortless
Easy to get wrong
This 9% climb up Branstree is a grassy slog that tests your endurance late in the route. It lacks the rocky interest of the earlier fells, making it a purely physical effort
If you need to get off
At Gatescarth Pass, turn left (north-west) and follow the wide, unmissable gravel track all the way down into the Mardale valley
© Lee McCoy
7
Branstree → Selside Pike (2.0 km, 59 m)
About 2.0 km with 59 m of ascent.
Keep following the fence line north-east across the broad, undulating saddle known as Captain Whelter Bog. The path rises gently to the stone shelter and summit cairn of Selside Pike
Waypoints
Captain Whelter Bog, Selside Pike summit
Decision point
The fence continues to guide you across the saddle right to the final ascent
Easy to get wrong
Very straightforward walking, but Captain Whelter Bog lives up to its name—it is exceptionally wet and requires a lot of weaving to keep your boots dry
If you need to get off
Retrace your steps to Gatescarth Pass to use the main valley track
Selside Pike → Finish (4.7 km, 50 m)
About 4.7 km with 50 m of ascent.
Descend north/north-west over the grassy slopes, keeping an eye out for the historical Old Corpse Road. Turn left onto this track, following its zig-zags down the fellside until it deposits you on the Haweswater shore road, a short walk from the Mardale Head car park
Waypoints
Selside Pike descent, Old Corpse Road, Haweswater road, Mardale Head car park
Decision point
The Old Corpse Road is heavily waymarked and distinct from the surrounding grass. Once you hit the tarmac road at the bottom, turn left to reach the car park
Easy to get wrong
A long 4.7 km walk-out. The Old Corpse Road is an engineered track, but it is stony and rough underfoot, which is jarring on tired knees after a massive day of elevation
If you need to get off
You are on the main exit route and entirely off the high fells
© Lee McCoy

Summits bagged (7)

1Rough Crag (Riggindale)628 mFar Eastern · Birkett, Synge, Nuttall
2High Street828 mFar Eastern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge, Nuttall, Marilyn
3Mardale Ill Bell761 mFar Eastern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge
4Harter Fell (Mardale)779 mFar Eastern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge, Nuttall, HuMP
5Little Harter Fell681 mFar Eastern · Birkett
6Branstree712 mFar Eastern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge, Nuttall, HuMP
7Selside Pike655 mFar Eastern · Wainwright, Birkett, Fellranger, Synge, Nuttall

In the order you walk them — the same numbers the elevation profile, the stage notes and the pacing table use.

Getting there & parking

⛽ Nearest fuel to this start: Bridge End Garage, Bampton, 9.9 km by road. Nearest shop: Bampton Valley Stores, 10.0 km. Both measured along the road from the parking we publish at Mardale Head, Haweswater, checked 8 August 2026. Coming in from a particular direction you may pass a closer one — the last petrol before each valley →

Mardale Head, Haweswater (free) — 0.0 km from the start (straight line)

Free but small and fills very early — High Street, Harter Fell, Kidsty Pike, Branstree. Fees: Free parking; donation cairn with suggested £2 contribution (cash only - no mobile signal) plus a Mountain Rescue donation cairn (wildhaweswater.co.uk) (United Utilities, checked Aug 2026). Open at all times, but a Public Space Protection Order prohibits overnight parking (wildhaweswater.co.uk, checked Aug 2026). Open 24/7 (United Utilities, checked Aug 2026).

Directions Something changed here?

Branstree (layby) — 0.2 km from the start (straight line)

Walking base for Rough Crag (Riggindale), High Street, Mardale Ill Bell and Harter Fell (Mardale) — the 'Mardale circuit' route starts 166 m away. Also serves 'Mardale Ill Bell, High Street, The Knott, Rampsgill Head, High Raise and Kidsty Pike'. Free (OSM-tagged). Unpaved surface (OSM-tagged).

Directions Something changed here?

Branstree, north (layby) — 0.8 km from the start (straight line)

Nearest fells: Branstree (1.2 km), Branstree NE Top (Branstree East Top) (High Howes (Mardale)) (1.5 km), Selside Pike (1.5 km). Free (OSM-tagged). Ground surface (OSM-tagged).

Directions Something changed here?

Brown Howe (layby) — 1.6 km from the start (straight line)

Nearest fells: Brown Howe (Mardale) (0.8 km), Castle Crag (Mardale) (1.3 km), Selside Pike (1.4 km). Free (OSM-tagged). Unpaved surface (OSM-tagged).

Directions Something changed here?

Positions are approximate. Lakeland car parks fill before 9am on fine weekends.

Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.

Every option near this start, on the parking map →

💧 No mapped drinking water or shelter on this route — that doesn’t mean there is none, and never drink untreated from a beck. (Facilities data © OpenStreetMap contributors.)

Buses

The nearest bus stop we hold is the 508 at Hartsop, adjacent to road end, 8.7 km of walking from this start — not realistically reachable without a car.

Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before travelling.

If the parking is full

There is no real plan B here. Every place we know beside this route serves the same walks and sits close together, so if one is full the others usually are too. Worth starting early, or having a different walk in mind before you set off.

Mardale Head, Haweswater (free)
Brown Howe (layby)
Branstree, north (layby)

Worked out from the parking we hold within walking reach of this route and the other walks each place serves — two places that serve the same walks fill for the same reasons. We are not saying whether anywhere has spaces today, and we never will: this is what exists, not what is free.

Safety & conditions

Check live conditions in the “From the fells” panel, on MWIS (opens in new tab) and the Met Office mountain forecast (opens in new tab) before you set off.

Make it easier or harder

Short version: turn back at about 9.2 km (drop to Start) — roughly half the distance.

Download

Download GPX

GPX track for your GPS or phone.

Places to stay near this start

Haweswater Hotel (opens in new tab) hotel

about 3.4 km from the start, in a straight line

It is the only hotel in the valley these five routes start in, and by its own account "The only building in 100 square miles of nature reserve" - so if it is full there is nothing else inside the radius but a bothy. It answers exactly one family question, and answers it with unusual precision: twelve named rooms take dogs, and you can ask for a non-dog room instead. Two things on it should be settled by phone or email before anyone drives up. Its nav sells an "Exclusive Use" page, so whole-hotel bookings are a product here and your dates can be closed to you with no second option within three miles. And the only line in the whole cache bearing on children is a positioning line - "No crowds or ice-cream parlours" - which is not a policy and must not be read as one; children_welcome is empty because they never say.

Built in 1937 as part of the Haweswater dam scheme, to replace the Dun Bull Inn that the rising reservoir drowned - and the coping stones in its garden were salvaged from the Mardale walls now under the water the five routes start beside.

Dogs “Dogs are allowed in the following rooms: Wainwright, Mardale, Lonsdale, Westmorland, Artle Crag, Lakeside, Measand, Whelter Crag, Swindale, Cawdale, Rosgil, Wet Sleddle. Please let us know if you prefer to stay in a non-dog friendly room.”
Evening meal “THE HAWESWATER RESTAURANT Our restaurant was awarded Two Rosettes in 2024”

Also nearby, but not independent

Mosedale Cottage (opens in new tab) hut

about 2.8 km from the start, in a straight line

The nearest roof to the start at 2.82 km and the only thing inside the radius that is not the hotel - but it is an unlocked MBA bothy, so it belongs on a walker's plan, not on a family's booking list, and it is here for completeness rather than as an alternative to a bed. Its own page holds four usable things and no more: the grid reference NY 495 095, the fact that it has a stove but "No local fuel", the MBA's restriction on party size, and - as of the 13 Aug 2026 fetch - its absence from the MBA closure news that on the same day named Ryvoan, Craig, Haughton Green and Dubs Hut. That last is the only availability check this property has, and it is worth re-reading the same page before setting out, because it changes week by week.

Its two-line feature list pairs a multi-fuel stove with "No local fuel" - the stove works, but everything burnt in it is carried in over the tops.

What each place says about itself, quoted from their own site. We have not stayed at any of them, and there are no prices, no booking and no affiliate links. Distances are straight lines from the route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab).