Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How up Hart Crag: route map, distance and time
823 m · Cumbria
Hart Crag is a stony top between Fairfield and Dove Crag on the eastern arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe, with a long ridge running down to Patterdale.
Climb the long ridge of Hartsop above How and scramble up a short rocky band to the summit.
Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How at a glance
| Distance | 5.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 684 m |
| Time up | 2h 10m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Deepdale Bridge, near Patterdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 399 144 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 368 112 |
Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- White Lion Inn1.5 km
- Patterdale Hotel1.6 km
- Side Farm Tea Room1.9 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
- Patterdale Youth Hostel camp site1.3 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 40m | 4h 0m |
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 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 13:52 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:50 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Hart Crag summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -4°C, summit wind 17 mph gusting 22 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 33 mph gusting 42 mph, 67% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 22 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Hart Crag forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Hart Crag?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -4°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Hart Crag
Hart Crag is a stony top between Fairfield and Dove Crag on the eastern arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe, with a long ridge running down to Patterdale. More about Hart Crag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Dove Crag (792 m), 1 km south-east
- Fairfield (873 m), 1.1 km north-west
- Great Rigg (766 m), 1.5 km south-west
- Hartsop Above How (586 m), 1.7 km north-east
- St Sunday Crag (841 m), 2.1 km north
- Little Hart Crag (637 m), 2.3 km south-east
Challenges that include Hart Crag
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Fairfield Horseshoe · 9
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
More walks from Deepdale Bridge, near Patterdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- North-east ridge from Deepdale Bridge up Hartsop Above How
Other routes up Hart Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside | 7.6 km one way | 809 m | 2h 50m | Moderate |
| Cow Bridge via Caiston Glen and Scandale Pass | 7.6 km one way | 740 m | 2h 45m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 399 144, the summit at NY 368 112), 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.
Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How: questions and answers
How far is Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How?
Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How is 5.2 km one way to the summit of Hart Crag, with 684 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.4 km.
How long does Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How take?
About 2h 10m to the summit of Hart Crag and 3h 15m 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 4h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How?
Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How starts from Deepdale Bridge, near Patterdale. The grid reference is NY 399 144.
Is Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How 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 Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How today?
By 13:52 at the latest. Sunset on Hart Crag today is 18:07, Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How takes about 3h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Deepdale Bridge via Hartsop above How?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).