Route: Harter Fell (Eskdale)
Area: Southern Lake District
Date of walk: 13th April 2013
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.4 miles
Ascent: 1,800 feet
As the crow flies, it’s only 14 miles from our home in the north west Lake District to the start point of the walk, but it took me 1 hour 15 minutes to get there. There are lots of fells to get round, making it a very circuitous journey
My start point for today’s walk was the foot of the Hardknott Pass, a serious drive even in good conditions. The pass was closed to cars but luckily my parking place was just before the road closure
The weather was fair but as I neared the top of Harter Fell it misted up and there were no views at all. This was a real disappointment as I knew that this is a wonderful vantage point
I descended to Hardknott Fort and then back to the car. It was an interesting and enjoyable walk, but a shame that I missed out on the views from the summit
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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)
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I parked at the foot of the Hardknott Pass, just before this alarming collection of signs
Jubilee Bridge
Lots of Herdies
The way ahead
Looking back down into Eskdale
First glimpse of Harter Fell
and the first patch of snow
Harter Fell straight ahead
It starts to get misty
The summit must be around here somewhere.....
....here it is - but hang on, there’s some higher ground beyond
Then I remembered that Wainwright says that the walker has to become a cragsman to attain the highest point...
.....so up I went, as honour had to be satisfied. The husband of my first cousin once removed (that’s you young Phil!) would have done this with hands in pockets while whistling a tune, but for my part I must confess to some huffing and puffing at this point
The way down - I didn’t see another walker all day
A skein of geese perform a fly past in honour of my ascent!
I emerge near the top of the Hardknott Pass - despite the road being closed, a couple of cars came past
Looking down the Pass into Eskdale
The snow was about 4 feet high
Hardknott Roman Fort ahead
Inside the fort
Looking back up to Harter Fell from the fort, the mist has cleared
Eskdale, and nearly back to the car
