Eskdale - Harter Fell - Hardknott Castle - Eskdale

Joe Jackson

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Eskdale - Green Crag - Harter Fell - Hardknott Castle - Eskdale

This great mountain walk has it all: fantastic views, solitude and rich history. Starting off in the stunning valley of Eskdale just before the famous mountain pass of Hard Knott (which you will see up close and personal at the end of the walk), the walk follows a miners' track to gain some height fairly quickly and then proceeds south past Low Birker Tarn to Green Crag. This fell feels like the most remote of all the Wainwrights, because it is set in the middle of the open Birker Fell which is an ancient landscape stuffed full of prehistoric history (you even pass an ancient cairn en route to Green Crag).

From Green Crag the next section is fairly gentle still, with a faint path (and mostly pathless) route that takes you in the direction of Harter Fell. The ascent of the next Wainwright is tough and steep but well worth the effort, as the summit is a fantastic place with rocky tors rising out of the ground in several places. To reach the highest point requires a scramble up some steep rocks; this summit is only bettered by Helm Crag in Grasmere!

Harter Fell marks the highest point on today’s walk at 653m and also means that it is time to descend back to civilization. The route is simple but faint in places but does take you down to a great resting place, the very top of Hardknott Pass. From there the route follows the pass down into Eskdale, past the stunning remains of Hardknott Roman Fort, which I have to say is a real treat and worth a thorough exploration before returning to the valley floor.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - South West