Start Point: Mardale Head (NY 469 107)
Mardale Head – Small Water – Mardale Ill Bell – High Street – Straits of Riggindale – The Knott – Rampsgill Head – Kidsty Pike – High Raise – Kidsty Howes – The Rigg – Mardale Head
| Distance: | 21 km |
| Total Ascent: | 1273 m |
| Time Taken: | 4 hours |
| Start Time: | 07:30 |
| Weather: | Sunny. 18ºC |
| Finlay’s Wainwright Count: | 55/214 (6 new this walk) |
Today looked as though it would be the best bet weather-wise for the week so I took the opportunity to get a walk on the Far Eastern fells from Mardale Head. It is absolutely ages since I was over this way and what a glorious morning it turned out to be – I’m glad I made the effort to get an early start and catch the best of the morning. I used a new route (for me) for the ascent using Wainwright Route a up to Mardale Ill Bell – that was pretty tough going, steeper than I thought it would be when I started up that way. It all turned out okay though and it was indeed an excellent morning on the fells.
There was only a couple of cars at Mardale Head as I left early on this morning and it was really peaceful with only sheep for company as we set off up the track for Small Water and Nan Bield Pass. We were still in the shade at this point but it wouldn’t be long before we were up into the sunshine. It was warm enough for shorts and tee shirt, even this early. 
That’s better, there was a little more warmth now we were in the sun looking back down to Mardale Head from the cascades on Small Water Beck. 
Up at Small Water – there were wild camp tents to the left of us in this photo. 
I had set out to carry on all the way up Nan Bield pass but then I noticed a thin path which was Wainwright’s Route A (Mardale Ill Bell 6). I’m not sure I followed it to the letter as the path disappears for a bit beneath some rocky buttresses. 
Climbing higher. 
Up onto the ridge now, it was steep going to get here and tougher than it looked from below. 
Made it! Mardale Ill Bell. 16 years since I have been here! 
…and a first time ascent for Finlay, Wainwright #50. 
Haweswater from the top of Mardale Ill Bell. 
Up onto High Street looking along the wall too Yoke – Ill Bell – Froswick and Windermere. What a beautiful morning it was, a bit hazy but nice and warm although as we climbed there was a breeze blowing. 
High Street summit – nice and quiet today. 
Looking along the Straits of Riggindale – at the end of the wall is The Knott and up to the right is Rampsgill Head. 
Looking back to High Street from the climb. 
Summit cairn on The Knott. 
A glimpse of Hayeswater from the western end of The Knott. 
Rest Dodd and The Nab. 
Looking back to The Knott from the climb to Rampsgill Head. Two people were on the top now, they must have climbed from Hartsop as I had seen only two other people going in the opposite direction this morning. 
Looking along Rampsgill to Martindale. 
Rampsgill Head summit cairn. 
From Rampsgill Head it is a short stroll over to Kidsty Pike, here on the top looking over to High Street. The original plan was simply to descend from here back to Mardale Head…but High Raise was so close and it was such a lovely morning – well, why not! It would only take 5 minutes to get over there (actually it was 10, I timed it). 
High Raise summit cairn. We stopped in the wind shelter here for a sandwich and a Bonio – perfect! 
We crossed back over towards Kidsty Pike and then picked up the C2C path descending here towards Kidsty Howes. This path has been ‘made’ and ‘fixed’ since the last time I was here. 
Mardale Head from Kidsty Howes. 
Down at Mardale Head, a lot of old walls are uncovered as it has been so dry. Some of the pastures are starting to grow again! 
The view into Riggindale is glorious this morning. 
Haweswater showing a lot of beach. 
Kidsty Pike, Kidsty Howes and High Raise. 
A transporter plane over Harter Fell. 
Crossing over what normally would be the head of Haweswater but it is an easy crossing (and a final drink for Finlay who has now completed 25% of the wainwrights!) of Mardale Beck today. 
Looking the other way to Mardale Ill Bell and the ridge climbed earlier.
What an absolutely cracking day out.
Fabulous day out Nige and very quiet – more so than I was expecting in the middle of August! Sean
It looks lovely over that way, Sean. Must visit!
Well worth a visit Scott and usually pretty quiet, especially out of season. Get there early for the parking is my tip! Sean
Shocked, totally shocked was I when I read that Monday was your first visit to Mardale Ill Bell in 16 years. You’re a local, Sean, I have to drive over from Sunderland but I would hazard a guess that I’ve been on Mardale Ill Bell and High Street and probably Harter Fell at least half a dozen times over the past 16 years. Perhaps it’s because the fell-walking is so good as your excellent photos clearly showed.
Hi Rod, there are many that I haven’t been on for years (for various reasons) and I bet it takes me as long to get to Mardale Head as it does for you! Anyway, the wrong has been righted now and hopefully it won’t be another 16 years before I am on Mardale Ill Bell 🙂 Thanks, Sean
Great report and beautiful images Sean. It’s been quite a while since I too have been over that way. An area I love. I may try your route next time I visit…if the knees allow! Hope young Finlay enjoyed it as much as you.
Hi John, yes it is a lovely area and it was a decent route too – once you have done the climb, the going is easy from there (which is a bonus!). Finally just loves being out – as do I! Thanks, Sean