Harter Fell - Lake District Walk

Wednesday 14th May 2008

Harter Fell has been on our to-do list for a long time now. Whenever we camp in Eskdale its summit dominates the drive to the campsite but nearly every time we have planned on doing it the summit has remained in cloud. Today, however, there was hardly a cloud in sight when we left the site for the short drive to the start of the walk. We had planned the walk as a short midday walk so John took all his lenses, along with his tripod, which meant we spent rather a long time on the summit taking photos. Having now done the walk I think I will have to agree with Wainwright's description of Harter Fell as 'not only good to look at, but good to climb'. It might not be one of the biggest fells around but it easily gets a place in my list of favourite fells.

Start: Jubilee Bridge (NY 2216 0116)

Route: Jubilee Bridge - Harter Fell (238) - Demming Crag (239) - Horsehow Crags (240) - Hardknott Fort - Jubilee Bridge

Distance: 4.5 miles     Ascent: 637 metres      Time Taken: 4 hours 35 mins

Terrain: Mostly on good paths.

Weather: Hot.

Pub Visited: Woolpack Inn, Boot    Ale Drunk: Woolpacker, Hardknotts Brewery

Route Map >>

 

Jubilee Bridge

Jubilee Bridge at the start of today's walk.

Eskdale

Looking along Eskdale to Brotherkield Farm and Bowfell.

Harter Fell

Harter Fell.

Harter Fell's summit

Harter Fell's official and true summits. Try as I might I couldn't find a way for me to get to the top of the true summit next time I'll have to go with someone who knows the way up it.

Upper Eskdale

Upper Eskdale.

Esk Pike & Bowfell

A closer look at Esk Pike and Bowfell.

Eskdale Fell & Scafell

Looking across Eskdale Fell to Yewbarrow and Pillar, amongst others.

Duddon Estuary

Stickle Pike and the Duddon Estuary.

Green Crag

Green Crag with Devoke Water visible behind.

Grey Friar

Grey Friar and Seathwaite Tarn, which looks like it has a lot of water missing.

Demming Crag

Demming Crag.

Hardknott Fort

There was great view of Hardkott Fort from Demming Crag.

Hardknott Fort

Hardkott Fort.

Whin Rigg & Illgill Head

Whin Rigg and Illgill Head.

Horsehow Crags

Horsehow Crags.

Hard Knott

Hard Knott.

Hardkott Fort

Inside Hardknott Fort.

Granary

The Granary or Storehouse. I have lost count of how many times I have visited Baginton Fort just outside Coventry. There were numerous school trips to it and then as I got older visits to it as a way of passing the summer holidays. Nice to know they weren't wasted, as I identified this building's purpose by the supports in the middle of the room rather than by reading the sign, much to John's surprise.

Hardknott Pass

The top of Hardknott Pass seen through one of the gates into the fort.

Eskdale

Looking down Eskdale from the back of the fort.

Upper Eskdale

In the opposite direction, the Scafells.

 

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