Route: Hartsop above How and Hart Crag
Area: Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 6th August 2020
Walkers: Andrew, Gilly and James
Distance: 6.8 miles
Ascent: 2,300 feet
Weather: Sunny intervals, but gradually clouding over
We parked at Cow Bridge beyond Patterdale, and from here the climb started immediately, with a steep ascent through Low Wood. This eventually brought us onto the ridge leading to Hartsop above How, and once above the tree line there were some lovely views back over Patterdale and Hartsop. The route to the summit of Hartsop above How is never in doubt, it’s just a question of following the line of the ridge over Bleaberry Knott, Gale Crag and Hoggill Brow. After admiring the views from the top we carried on along the ridge to climb up to Hart Crag
The path was steep and loose below the summit, and as we gained height the clouds came down and visibility was poor – a real shame. There was no point lingering at the summit of Hart Crag as the views were non-existent, and so without ado we joined a path which is part of the popular Fairfield Horseshoe route. We followed this for a short distance, and then had to make a decision. The original plan had been to include three more fells in the round, namely Dove Crag, Little Hart Crag and High Hartsop Dodd. However the visibility was poor and so, midway between Hart Crag and Dove Crag, we decided to descend back into the valley (to see an earlier walk covering the full round, click here)
The descent proved to be long and very steep at times, though much improved by rock steps. It was a relief to finally arrive back at valley level near Hartsop Hall, one of the oldest properties in the Lake District dating back to the 16th century. From here it was an easy stroll back to the start beside the shore of Brothers Water
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Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Looking along Goldrill Beck from Cow Bridge at the start of the walk
The climb starts immediately, and after a few minutes we gain the ridge and the views open up - this is looking over Hartsop
Angletarn Pikes on the far side of Patterdale
Brothers Water and Hartsop Dodd
Zooming in on Hartsop
The Kirkstone Pass beyond the head of Brothers Water
Angletarn Pikes again
Fairfield in the clouds, and St Sunday Crag on its right
Looking back down the ridge to Place Fell, with a glimpse of Ullswater....
....and now looking back to Angletarn Pikes
The Kirkstone Pass on our left
Greenhow End and Fairfield from the summit of Hartsop above How
Our return route will be along Dovedale below
Dovedale
Dove Crag, which was on the itinerary at this point, but we'd decide later on to give it a miss
Beyond the summit of Hartsop above How, we continue along the ridge to Hart Crag, left of picture, with Fairfield on the right
Deepdale
The are innumerable ups and downs along the ridge, but no difficulties
Dove Crag
The landscape becomes more dramatic as James heads towards Hart Crag
Dove Crag and Hart Crag
Looking back to the summit of Hartsop above How
Hart Crag ahead, and a steep scree section ahead
At this point the clouds roll in and the views disappear. We decide to shorten our route and will descend via a path below the crags...
...but first we have to summit Hart Crag - a photo for the record to prove that we did
There was no point lingering, so we set off in the direction of Dove Crag
We're now on a popular fell walking route - the Fairfield Horseshoe - but we turn left after a short distance to start the descent
It's a long descent, and very steep at times, but the path has been much improved in recent years
Hartsop above How is on our left
We pass by an old mining hut
Waterfall in Dovedale Beck
There's a bridge over Dovedale Beck, but it's quicker to keep to the left of the beck, so we ignore it
After a seemingly interminable descent, we arrive at the valley floor and pass by Hartsop Hall, one of the oldest properties in the Lake District
Our path takes us beside Brothers Water, but the weather has deteriorated and has become dull and drizzly
Looking across a very full Goldrill Beck after reaching the foot of Brothers Water
We follow the path beside the beck back to the car park, and the end of a wonderful walk
