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Eden

Shap Rural

Mardale Head

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United Kingdom

England

North West England

Cumbria

Eden

Shap Rural

Mardale Head

Recommended by 36 hikers out of 37

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Location: Shap Rural, Eden, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

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Best Hikes to Mardale Head

4.8

(20)

336

hikers

1. High Street Summit – The Knott loop from Bampton

14.8km

05:40

870m

Expert hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Expert

4.9

(18)

319

hikers

2. High Street Summit – Mardale Ill Bell Summit Cairn loop from Bampton

10.0km

04:04

590m

Expert hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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Expert

4.6

(24)

270

hikers

3. Mardale Head – Branstree Summit Trig Point loop from Bampton

9.36km

03:13

470m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Intermediate

Tips

Alex Foxfield

February 7, 2023

Mardale Head is an excellent starting point for many grand adventures in the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District. From here, trails splay out onto the likes of High Street, the Kentmere Horseshoe summits and tranquil Branstree and Selside Pike.

There was once a hamlet near here called Mardale Green, which was submerged when the reservoir was created in the 1930s to supply water to Greater Manchester. When the water is low, the remains of the village can still be seen – a ghostly sight.

Alm-Olli

January 30, 2023

OK, not quite official, but the tent saved us here. This really is the end of the world here. Lonely but beautiful and quiet.

Translated by Google •

Ann (Peregrinate North West & Beyond)

January 14, 2025

Conservation is a big part of the area. RSPB and United Waters have joined forces to offers a good habitat to peregrine falcons, redstarts, and ring ouzels as a few examples of the bird-species and ensuring that the forest offers a good nesting and foraging ground for red squirrels. A donation cairn, to support the RSPB’s work at Wild Haweswater, is situated in the car park. They suggest a donation of £2, but any amount large or small is gratefully received. Please note that only cash donations can be made in the cairn as the lack of mobile phone reception means they are unable to take card payments. However, if you wish to send an online donation to support their work, you can do so here.

There is also a Mountain Rescue cairn in the car park, you are kindly encourage you to support their life-saving work if you feel able to.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 250 m

Alerts

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Lake District National Park

Weather

Today

Thursday 18 September

16°C

15°C

100 %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: 20.0 km/h

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See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Shap Rural, Eden, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Mardale Head

1. High Street Summit – The Knott loop from Bampton

2. High Street Summit – Mardale Ill Bell Summit Cairn loop from Bampton

3. Mardale Head – Branstree Summit Trig Point loop from Bampton

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