Mardale circuit

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Rough Crag (Riggindale) (3.0 km, 432 m)

   Climb of about 432 m over 3.0 km (around 14% 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 clear 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.

   

2. 2

   Rough Crag (Riggindale) → High Street (1.6 km, 278 m)

   Climb of about 278 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. High Street's eastern rim drops in steep crags to Blea Water, the deepest tarn in the Lakes.

   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.

   

3. 3

   High Street → Mardale Ill Bell (1.4 km, 17 m)

   Descent of about 69 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.

   

4. 4

   Mardale Ill Bell → Harter Fell (Mardale) (2.0 km, 157 m)

   Descent of about 136 m, then a climb of about 157 m, over 2.0 km.

   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. The narrowing ridge down to Nan Bield Pass and up toward Harter Fell is steep and rocky with awkward steps; the path is rough underfoot.

   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.

   

5. 5

   Harter Fell (Mardale) → Little Harter Fell (1.2 km, 8 m)

   Descent of about 103 m over 1.2 km.

   A fence runs near the line. Head east/north-east, descending steadily over grassy, often boggy terrain toward the minor, indistinct top of Little Harter Fell.

   Waypoints

   Harter Fell summit, Little Harter Fell.

   Decision point

   A fence runs near the line; do not rely on it in cloud.

   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.

6. 6

   Little Harter Fell → Branstree (1.5 km, 139 m)

   Descent of about 101 m, then a climb of about 139 m, over 1.5 km.

   Continue descending to the major track crossing at Gatescarth Pass. Cross the pass and climb the steep, grassy flank of Branstree to its flat summit.

   Waypoints

   Gatescarth Pass, Branstree summit.

   Decision point

   A fence runs near the line.

   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 gravel track all the way down into the Mardale valley.

   

7. 7

   Branstree → Selside Pike (2.0 km, 61 m)

   Descent of about 58 m, with about 61 m of climbing, over 2.0 km.

   Head 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

   A fence runs near the line.

   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.

8. Selside Pike → Finish (4.7 km, 50 m)

   Descent of about 413 m, with about 50 m of climbing, over 4.7 km.

   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

   Once you reach the Old Corpse Road you are on the main exit route; the descent to it from Selside Pike is still open fell.