Harter Fell (Mardale): 779m, Walks and Haweswater Views

Harter Fell stands above the head of Haweswater, where the craggy enclosure of Mardale meets the long ridges of the Far Eastern Fells. At 779m, it combines a broad, open summit with a much steeper northern face. Walkers know it both as part of the Kentmere Horseshoe and as a rewarding fell in its own right, with Haweswater providing the memorable view.

A broad summit above a craggy face

Harter Fell has two distinct sides to its character. Its upper ground is broad and grassy, while the northern slopes fall sharply towards Mardale Head and Small Water. Seen from the head of Haweswater, this craggy face gives the fell a stronger outline than its rounded summit might suggest. Small Water occupies the corrie below, with the pass of Nan Bield cutting into the skyline to the west.

The outlook changes as you move across the summit area. Haweswater is the great landmark to the north, stretching away through Mardale, though the clearest views down into the valley come from the northern edge rather than simply the highest point. High Street and Mardale Ill Bell form substantial western neighbours, while Branstree stands across Gatescarth Pass to the east. These surrounding ridges give the view a clear sense of Mardale’s enclosed mountain setting.

Its place in the Far Eastern Fells

Harter Fell belongs to Alfred Wainwright’s Book Two, The Far Eastern Fells. Its recorded height is 779m, or 2,556ft, placing it 47th among the 214 Wainwrights. The summit grid reference is NY459093. The Mardale qualifier distinguishes it from the other Harter Fell, which stands between Eskdale and the Duddon Valley in the western Lake District.

Here, the fell sits at an important meeting of ridges and passes. Nan Bield separates it from Mardale Ill Bell and the higher ground of High Street. Gatescarth Pass lies between Harter Fell and Branstree, linking Mardale with Longsleddale. Southwards, the ridge continues towards Kentmere Pike, forming part of the high eastern boundary of Kentmere. That position explains why Harter Fell features in walks associated with three different valleys rather than just one.

Mardale walks and the Kentmere Horseshoe

Harter Fell is a recognised part of the Kentmere Horseshoe, the long fell circuit around the head of the Kentmere valley. It provides a useful contrast within that round: open summit ground above Kentmere, then a sharper, craggier aspect towards Mardale. Walks from Mardale Head also commonly include the fell, with Nan Bield and Gatescarth forming the principal neighbouring passes.

The broad top can feel spacious in clear weather, but its steep northern margins deserve respect when cloud obscures the ground. For planning, use a dedicated route guide and current mountain weather information; the fell’s rounded upper profile should not be mistaken for uniformly gentle terrain.

Where Harter Fell (Mardale) stands

Summit at grid reference NY459093 · open full map

The real Harter Fell (Mardale)

Walking Harter Fell (Mardale)

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Guide links to be curated.

Weather on Harter Fell (Mardale)

Conditions estimated at summit height (779 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Harter Fell (Mardale) on your wall

A painting of Harter Fell can bring back the particular shape of a Mardale day: dark crags above Small Water, open summit grass and Haweswater beyond. As a print or canvas at home, that familiar landscape offers a quiet connection to time spent on the fells.

Own “Vibrant Harter Fell Mountain Tarn” — our painting of Harter Fell (Mardale) → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Far Eastern Fells

• Kentmere Pike 730 m
• Mardale Ill Bell 760 m
• Branstree 712 m
• High Street 828 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.