Harter Fell from Mardale Head. Nan Bield Pass, Small Water

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Harter Fell [FE]

INDY Jun 25, 2025 Mardale Head, Harter Fell, Nan Bield Pass, Mardale Ill Bell, Small Water
Distance 9.85 km, Time 3.51 h, Total Ascent 701 m Imperial | MetricWainwright Pictorial Guide: The Far Eastern Fells

INDY SAYS: Nice to have a stretch after the journey. Quite an easy walk in strange cloudy weather

Hiking Harter Fell from Mardale Head then on to Nan Bield Pass where we shelter from the wind. Excursion to Mardale Ill Bell defore dropping down to Small Water

Start point, map and route information at bottom of page

Instead of our usual quick stop at Latrigg on the outward journey, we leave home very early to attempt a proper hike - Harter Fell.
We never seem to have much luck with this range - last time we climbed here was full cloud and today was no different. However, it was relatively dry and we persevered.

Good of the Mardale Chapter of the Wainwright Wanderers* to put up a sign here.

Indy immediately stops for a drink

After nearly 6 hours cooped up, she is eager to get cracking

We arrive rapidly at a crossroads - our direction is Nan Bield Pass

It doesn't look too promising ahead

Looking behind to Haweswater

Indy approaches the summit cairn of Harter Fell

She is nonplussed by the strange assortment of objects

Our first good view of Small Water, which we'll pass on the descent

The clouds keep rolling past us around Nan Bield Pass

Indy isn't sure that we should continue

At Nan Bield pass there is a good shelter

And we stop for a break here.
The wind is very strong and the shelter is most welcome

Against my better judgment we push on to Mardale Ill Bell, hoping to get a nice view of Blea Water

Should have known better, never mind, back to Nan Bield Pass

Our descent to Small Water

Indy paddles about

Had the weather been better, she would have liked to have a good swim

*In 1929 the government granted Manchester Corporation Water Works permission to dam and flood Mardale

Start:
Car parking in Mardale head at the SW corner of Haweswater [NY 46939 10732]. It is quite a drive
Route:
Mardale Head, Harter Fell, Nan Bield Pass, Mardale Ill Bell, Small Water Distance 9.85 km, Time 3.51 h, Total Ascent 701 m
Route maps from Ordnance Survey are scaled 1:25000 unless mentioned otherwise.
Km, hike time and metres of ascent as supplied by OS. Planned route

Route Map and Details

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