Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile up High Street: route map, distance and time
829 m · Cumbria
High Street is the highest of the Far Eastern Fells, a broad grassy summit named after the Roman road that crosses it, with steep ridges above Haweswater.
Climb the ridge of Rough Crag above Riggindale, then the steeper, rocky Long Stile to the summit plateau.
Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile at a glance
| Distance | 4.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 625 m |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 0m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Mardale Head car park, Haweswater |
| Start grid reference | NY 469 107 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 441 111 |
Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile 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
How long Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 3h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 40m |
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 07:48, sunset 18:04. Start by 14:04 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:02. Start by 14:02 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 0m for the walk and an hour for stops.
High Street summit weather for this route
-
Poor Today Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 41 mph gusting 51 mph, 28% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:04.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 2°C, summit wind 30 mph gusting 37 mph, 84% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:02.
Best day of the next seven for Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile: Thursday 22 October, with summit gusts around 33 mph and a 49% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour High Street forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb High Street?
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 -2°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 51 mph.
- 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 High Street
High Street is the highest of the Far Eastern Fells, a broad grassy summit named after the Roman road that crosses it, with steep ridges above Haweswater. More about High Street, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Mardale Ill Bell (760 m), 1.2 km south-east
- Rough Crag (628 m), 1.3 km east
- Thornthwaite Crag (784 m), 1.5 km south-west
- Gray Crag (698 m), 1.5 km west
- Kidsty Pike (781 m), 1.6 km north
- The Knott (739 m), 1.6 km north
Challenges that include High Street
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 Gatescarth Pass up Branstree
- 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 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 High Street
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartsop via Hayeswater | 4.9 km one way | 670 m | 2h 5m | Moderate |
| Mardale via Nan Bield Pass | 4.6 km one way | 580 m | 1h 55m | Hard |
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 441 111), 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 Rough Crag and Long Stile: questions and answers
How far is Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile?
Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile is 4.8 km one way to the summit of High Street, with 625 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 9.6 km.
How long does Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of High Street and 3h 0m 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 3h 40m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile?
Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile starts from Mardale Head car park, Haweswater. The grid reference is NY 469 107.
Is Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile 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 Rough Crag and Long Stile today?
By 14:04 at the latest. Sunset on High Street today is 18:04, Mardale Head via Rough Crag and Long Stile takes about 3h 0m 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 Rough Crag and Long Stile?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).