High Street
 
On Wednesday, 12th March 2014, I decided to walk over High Street, Mardale Ill Bell and Harter Fell from the head of Mardale.

Mardale was deliberately flooded many years ago to form Haweswater, which is a reservoir. It is well to the east of the rest of the Lake District and accessed by one very narrow road. I got lost a couple of times and did not start walking until 09:13.

This photograph was taken at 09:41 as I gained the ridge to start the proper climb. 		  Haweswater in Mardale Haweswater in Mardale
 
Car Park at Head of Mardale Car Park at the Head of Mardale   Just two minutes after the last photograph, I turned to look back at the car park some way below in deep shade. Mine had been the second car to arrive but now there were two more and by late afternoon cars would be parked alongside the road for hundreds of yards; no parking charges here, yet.

The area in the sun at the top right hand corner is the lower part of Gatescarth Pass, the gentle route back from the higher fells that I intended to use later in the day.
 
Snow on High Street A good footpath and snow on High Street   Looking ahead there is a fine footpath that climbs steadily and, in the distance, snow on High Street.
 
Blea Water Blea Water   There is a large tarn called Blea Water high above Mardale Head, which really only comes into view once the walker has clambered over Rough Crag.

The ridge I have been climbing divides Mardale on the left from Riggindale on the right. I am told that eagles nest on the Riggindale side of the ridge and several walkers asked me if I had seen any. I had not.
 
Long Stile Ridge Long Stile Ridge   Looking back, the ridge I have been climbing is called Long Stile. Riggindale is on the left in this picture and Mardale on the right.

I still do not see any eagles.
 
I reached High Street summit, 2,719 ft at 11:54 so took about two and a quarter hours.

The weathermen were right. The visibility was falling fast after several really fine days. You might be able to make out Windermere in the distance but only just. I then walked to the end of the stone wall before bearing left towards Mardale Ill Bell. 		  High Street summit High Street summit
 
I doubt you will believe this but I walked over Ill Bell and descended to take this photograph of Harter Fell without realising the gentle slope was Ill Bell! It probably looks more impressive from below. For the record Mardale Ill Bell is 2,496 ft and Harter Fell, that is in the picture, is 2,539 ft.   Harter Fell Harter Fell
 
Kentmere Reservoir Kentmere Reservoir   On the walk to Harter Fell, you can look down to your right and see Kentmere Reservoir.

Harter Fell was easily reached and after walking along the top, I started a descent that led to the top of Gatescarth Pass. An easy track zig-zagged down the pass alongside Gatescarth Beck taking me right back to the car park.
 
The final photograph is a quick look back up the hill at Gatescarth Beck.

I was back at my car by 14:45 without rushing in any way.

I had been longing to do this walk for many years and was, quite frankly, disappointed. The ridge walk ending with Long Stile was excellent. I should, perhaps, have turned around there and then and gone back down the same way. 		  Gatescarth Beck Gatescarth Beck
 
Editor: Peter J. Cosker   peter@the2coskers.com   other Lake District walks   Updated: 24/07/2024