Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass up Branstree: route map, distance and time
712 m · Cumbria
Branstree is a 712m grassy fell between Haweswater and Longsleddale, a Wainwright and Hewitt climbed from Mardale Head by the Gatescarth Pass.
Climb the zigzag pass track to its top, then head east up grass to the summit.
Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass starts at about 250 m and gains 458 m over 2.5 km to 707 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 185 m (18%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 185 m at an average of 18%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.5 km at about 23%. It keeps climbing at 17% to the top. About 44% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass at a glance
| Distance | 2.5 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 460 m |
| Climb on the track | 458 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 250 m to 708 m (summit 712 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 23%, from 0.5 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 44% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Mardale Head car park, Haweswater |
| Start grid reference | NY 469 107 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 477 100 |
| Parking | Mardale Head car park, Haweswater |
Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 435 m | +185 m | 18% | NY 470 099 |
| 2 km | 618 m | +183 m | 18% | NY 475 095 |
| 2.5 km | 707 m | +89 m | 17% | NY 477 099 |
How long Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 35m | 2h 10m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:04. Start by 15:19 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:02. Start by 15:17 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Branstree summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Branstree right now. The main Branstree page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Branstree forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Branstree
Branstree is a 712m grassy fell between Haweswater and Longsleddale, a Wainwright and Hewitt climbed from Mardale Head by the Gatescarth Pass. More about Branstree, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Branstree NE Top (673 m), 1 km east
- Selside Pike (655 m), 1.7 km north-east
- Harter Fell (779 m), 1.9 km west
- Howes (583 m), 2.1 km east
- Tarn Crag (664 m), 2.4 km south-east
- Kentmere Pike (731 m), 2.5 km south-west
Challenges that include Branstree
More walks from Mardale Head car park, Haweswater
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Mardale Head via Nan Bield Pass up Harter Fell
- Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass up Harter Fell
- Mardale Head via Kidsty Pike up High Raise
- Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile up High Street
- Mardale via Nan Bield Pass up High Street
- Mardale Head via Kidsty Howes up Kidsty Pike
- Mardale Head via Small Water and Nan Bield Pass up Mardale Ill Bell
- Mardale Head via Kidsty Pike up Rampsgill Head
- Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass and Branstree up Selside Pike
- Mardale via Nan Bield Pass up Thornthwaite Crag
- Mardale via Rough Crag and Long Stile up Rough Crag
- Mardale via Gatescarth Pass and Branstree up Branstree NE Top
Other routes up Branstree
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadgill via Gatescarth Pass | 5.1 km one way | 523 m | 1h 55m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 469 107, the summit at NY 477 100), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass: questions and answers
How far is Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass?
Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass is 2.5 km one way to the summit of Branstree, with 460 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.0 km.
How long does Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass take?
About 1h 15m to the summit of Branstree and 1h 45m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 10m for the round trip.
How steep is Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass?
The steepest 500 m averages about 23%, starting 0.5 km from the start, and 44% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass climbs 458 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass?
Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass starts from Mardale Head car park, Haweswater. The grid reference is NY 469 107. Mardale Head car park, Haweswater
Is Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass today?
By 15:19 at the latest. Sunset on Branstree today is 18:04, Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass takes about 1h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Mardale Head via Gatescarth Pass?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.