Ambleside via Scandale Pass up Little Hart Crag: route map, distance and time
637 m · Cumbria
Little Hart Crag is a 637 m knobbly fell at the head of Scandale, linking Patterdale and Ambleside, with twin rocky tops over Dovedale.
Follow the track up Scandale to Scandale Pass, then climb north-west to the two rocky tops.
Ambleside via Scandale Pass at a glance
| Distance | 6.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 589 m |
| Time up | 2h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Ambleside |
| Start grid reference | NY 376 044 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 387 100 |
Ambleside via Scandale Pass 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
- Royal Oak0.1 km
- The White Lion0.1 km
- The Ambleside Inn0.1 km
- Sheila's Cottage0.0 km
- Costa0.0 km
- Kopi Tiam0.0 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Ambleside via Scandale Pass takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 25m |
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 18:05. Start by 13:30 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 13:27 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Little Hart Crag summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Little Hart Crag right now. The main Little Hart Crag page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Little Hart Crag forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Little Hart Crag
Little Hart Crag is a 637 m knobbly fell at the head of Scandale, linking Patterdale and Ambleside, with twin rocky tops over Dovedale. More about Little Hart Crag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High Hartsop Dodd (519 m), 1 km north-east
- Middle Dodd (654 m), 1.1 km south-east
- Dove Crag (792 m), 1.3 km west
- Red Screes (779 m), 1.6 km south-east
- High Pike (657 m), 1.8 km south-west
- Hartsop Above How (586 m), 2 km north
Challenges that include Little Hart Crag
More walks from Ambleside
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ambleside via Stock Ghyll and Wansfell Pike up Baystones
- Ambleside via Low Pike and High Pike up Dove Crag
- Fairfield Horseshoe from Ambleside up Hart Crag
- Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge and Low Pike up High Pike
- Ambleside via Rothay Park up Loughrigg Fell
- Ambleside via Low Sweden Bridge up Low Pike
- Ambleside via the south ridge up Red Screes
Other routes up Little Hart Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brothers Water via High Hartsop Dodd | 4.0 km one way | 478 m | 1h 35m | Moderate |
| Cow Bridge via Caiston Glen and Scandale Pass | 5.1 km one way | 500 m | 1h 50m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 376 044, the summit at NY 387 100), 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.
Ambleside via Scandale Pass: questions and answers
How far is Ambleside via Scandale Pass?
Ambleside via Scandale Pass is 6.4 km one way to the summit of Little Hart Crag, with 589 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 12.8 km.
How long does Ambleside via Scandale Pass take?
About 2h 15m to the summit of Little Hart Crag and 3h 35m 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 25m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Ambleside via Scandale Pass?
Ambleside via Scandale Pass starts from Ambleside. The grid reference is NY 376 044.
Is Ambleside via Scandale 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 Ambleside via Scandale Pass today?
By 13:30 at the latest. Sunset on Little Hart Crag today is 18:05, Ambleside via Scandale Pass takes about 3h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Ambleside via Scandale Pass?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).