LithoPeaks
Mountain hikes & training, Lake District
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A small car park (grid reference: NY 46918 10730), located on the southwest side of Haweswater lake, provides a great starting point for this mountain area. The car park is relatively small, so it's best to get there as early as possible.
The trails in this area offer great accessibility to the summits of Harter Fell, Mardale III Bell, High Street, and The Knott. These paths are well-defined and moderately steep, making them suitable for most hikers. You'll encounter some steeper, rocky sections that may require the occasional use of hands for balance. The overall exposure is low, with only a few short sections of moderate exposure along the ridge that crosses over Rough and Riggindale crags to High Street. For those seeking more of a challenge, there are more adventurous routes with greater exposure and longer scrambling sections available off the main paths. However, these are not advised without good levels of confidence, scrambling experience, and navigation skills.
The Langdale Pikes are renowned for their unique geology, primarily composed of volcanic rocks formed during the Ordovician period, around 450 million years ago. The area showcases impressive examples of volcanic activity, glacial features and erosional landforms. As you hike, you'll have the opportunity to see these geological features up close and learn about the dynamic processes that have shaped this stunning landscape.
Glacial lakes
The Haweswater area is home to several stunning lakes. Haweswater is a natural glacial lake leftover from the Ice Age. It now serves as a reservoir. The lake's serene waters and scenic surroundings make it a popular spot for hikers and nature enthusiasts. Blea Water and Small Water are smaller glacial lakes that offer peaceful spots for a rest stop, with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. The lakes offer a picturesque setting for a hike, with opportunities for wildlife sightings and stunning reflections in the water.
Rough and Riggindale Crags
Rough and Riggindale Crags offer an exciting ridge walk that leads onto the top of High Street. The crags feature steep, rugged terrain with rocky sections, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys and fells. There is a relatively popular path that leads to High Street, making it accessible for hikers. The climb involves some moderate levels of exposure, but the stunning scenery and sense of achievement make it worthwhile. The area is also rich in geological features, showcasing the area’s volcanic past and more recent effects of glacial activity.
High Street (828 m)
High Street, at 828 meters, is the highest peak in the local area and offers some of the best views in the Lake District. The summit is part of an ancient Roman road that once traversed the fells. From the top, you can see the entire surrounding area, including distant peaks like Helvellyn and Scafell Pike. The summit can be accessed by paths from Riggindale Crag, The Knott, and Mardale III Bell.
Mardale III Bell (778m)
Mardale III Bell, standing at 778 meters, is a rewarding summit, offering with stunning views of Haweswater and the surrounding fells. The summit is accessible by well-defined paths from High Street, Small Water, and Harter Fell. The mountain also contains some interesting igneous rocks with distinctive geological structures called columnar joints.
Harter Fell (778 m)
Harter Fell is a prominent summit in the Haweswater area, standing at 778 meters. The fell offers a scenic hike with well-defined paths leading to the top from the car park, Small Water, and Mardale III Bell summit. The ascent to Harter Fell is moderately steep, with some rocky sections that may require the use of hands for balance. From Harter Fell summit, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and Haweswater lake. The fell is known for its diverse flora and fauna, making it a great spot for nature enthusiasts.
The Knott (739 m)
The Knott, at 739 meters, is a distinctive fell offering great views and a rewarding hike. The fell is part of the Far Eastern Fells and is known for its prominent summit and rocky outcrops. The summit is accessed from well-defined paths that lead from Kidsty Pike and High Street. The summit offers panoramic views of the surrounding fells, including High Street and Kidsty Pike.
To book your hike, please message us via the contact form. Prices and availability will be provided upon request.