NY7100 : Harter Fell

Harter Fell

521m Elevation
117m Prominence
England Country
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NY7100 : Harter Fell

Anton Ciritis Photo source

Explore routes near Harter Fell

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Ingleton Waterfalls Walk

6.8 km ~2h 30m Moderate

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Pen-y-ghent from Horton in Ribbonsdale

10.1 km ~3h 50m Hard

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Ingleborough from Clapham

~5h Hard

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Striding Edge, Helvellyn and Catstye Cam

12 km ~6h 30m Hard

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Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Mardale Head to Harter Fell

A well-trodden path offering a steady ascent with stunning views along the way, perfect for both seasoned climbers and leisurely walkers.

9.5 km ~4.5 hours Moderate

Riggindale Route

This route follows a gentle incline along Riggindale, leading to the summit with magnificent views of Haweswater.

7 km ~3.5 hours Easy
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Hump Dodd Dewey

Elevation

521m

1,709 ft

Prominence

117m

Coordinates

54.3968, -2.4311

NY721002

OS Map

91

Explorer: OL19S

At the Summit

The summit features a small stone cairn and stunning panoramic views of the surrounding fells, including the iconic High Street and Rough Crag.

Terrain & Geology

Rocky and grassy with sections that can become boggy after rainfall.

Harter Fell is primarily composed of Skiddaw slate, showcasing interestingly folded layers and evidence of glaciation. The slate gives the mountain a rugged appearance that attracts geology enthusiasts.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, one can see the vast expanse of Haweswater, the surrounding Lake District peaks, and on a clear day, the outline of the Pennines.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The name 'Harter' is thought to derive from the Old Norse word 'Herta', meaning 'to chase or hunt', likely referencing the historical significance of hunting in the area.

Historical Significance

Harter Fell is part of the historic landscape that showcases the geological and natural beauty of the Lake District, making it a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers alike.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Mardale Head car park, located near the start of the popular ascent to Harter Fell.

Public Transport

Limited public transport available; best accessed via car or organized walks. Local buses operate from Penrith to nearby villages.

Nearby Facilities

There are no facilities directly on the mountain; however, Mardale Head has a visitor centre with information and parking amenities. The nearest cafe can be found in Shap.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Keep an eye out for loose stones and wet ground, especially after rainfall, which can make the path slippery.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Harter Fell?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Harter Fell through the maps

Are there other walkers around Harter Fell?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Harter Fell search or of course create your own walk for Harter Fell

Can I organise a walk to Harter Fell?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Harter Fell.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Harter Fell?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Harter Fell here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.

Grid reference: NY721002

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

The Calf

677m

Nine Standards Rigg

662m

 Whernside

Whernside

737m

 Ingleborough

Ingleborough

723m

 Pen-y-ghent

Pen-y-ghent

694m
See 5 more nearby hills