A Mardale Loop

Over to the East of the Lake District National Park lies Mardale— a proud glacial valley now dominated by Haweswater Reservoir. Alfred Wainwright was heavily invested in the controversy caused by the destruction of Mardale Green village to build this drinking water supply for Manchester, railing against the destruction of the village but for all the change, the area retains it’s remote charm and quieter feel away from the traditional honey pots of the Central and Northern Fells.

Parking can be found at or near the small carpark at the end of Haweswater, and the route takes an anti-clockwise loop round the nearest fells, by way of ridgelines, summit plateaus and two of Lakeland’s finest and historical passes. Despite never being more than 3km from your starting point, the route accesses some classic mountain terrain with great running throughout.

Follow the obvious stony track NE round the SW end of Haweswater and over to Rigg, a forested spur jutting out into the reservoir. You are looking for a defined track up and to your left, picking your way through bracken (in the season) or small trods as you climb up onto Rough Crag and the ridge line above. Superb single track running takes you ever higher, before crossing over and onto the central ridge line. Follow this up with views of Blea Water below to your left before a final stiff pull up onto the plateau of High Street. Head for the wall line and the summit trig.

An obvious path just south of the trig takes you SW and down through switchbacks to Mardale Ill Bell. From the summit, the paths drops away in the same direction, onto an increasingly armoured path down to Nan Bield Pass. Pass the small shelter at the col before climbing steadily back up the other side and onto the broad top of Harter Fell.

The running from the top of Harter is fast and grassy, following a fence line on your right before lovely descent down to Little Harter Fell  and a final drop down to the substantial Gatesgarth Pass. Turn left here and begin your descent back to Mardale.
Steep switchbacks, sometimes rocky in places drop you with burning quads, over 1000ft down to Mardale Head and your finish point.