Ski Club of Manchester Walk, Harter Fell via Green Crag, Sunday 10th May 2026

Reporter: Paul Prentice

TThose present; Dave Miller & dog Patty, Catherine, Steve & dog Jim, Andrew and me (Paul), led by Howard.

Harter Fell was a well-received late substitution for Dave’s Sunday Scafell walk, by virtue of its start a Boot Inn and avoidance of driving in conflict with the Eskdale Valley stage of the mass Fred Whitton cycling event on the same day. A route for Harter Fell was quickly put together by Howard.

With the prospect of great weather, we set off down the lane to Girder Bridge and Gill Force and then along the south side of the river Esk. Starting our first climb from above the white house, a prominent feature in the otherwise stunning landscape, up a historic switch-back path which Howard told us was formed by the peat-cutters, for wheeling their carts up to the shared moss and, once loaded with peat and wheels removed, to toboggan back down the hill! Hence the gentle gradient and relatively even surface of the track. At the top of the path we paused at a roofless stone bothy and then continued up above Low Birker Tarn and up an increasing rocky climb through Crook Crag to Green Crag (489m) for a coffee stop/early lunch break.

With the southwest side of Harter Fell seen in bright sun we then descended to cross some pleasantly bouncy dry moss, before the most challenging task of the day, the direct line ascent to the top. Andrew, having set himself a time to achieve it, to no surprise smashed it. We all followed in good order, although not all of us scrambled up the granite summit (653m).

An exceptional clear blue sky offered views of all the peaks round from the Old Man of Coniston and we could see Sellafield, Scotland and the Isle of Man. Could that be Northern Ireland beyond? No — binoculars showed it to be the flat northern part of the Isleof Man. Closer to, we could see the Hardnott Roman Fort as a square and a glinting stream of cyclists going up the Hardnott Pass.

After a windy lunch, the descent of the west flank was surprisingly uncomplicated, although Howard, seeing the distant black shapes of cows on our route ahead, gave dog owners a heads-up and considered an alternative path, only to find the cows were a scattering of dark trees, so no diversion necessary!

We regrouped at the bottom, admired the view back to Harter Fell, and with both dogs tethered went through Penny Farm. Then, at Doctor Bridge, we took an unscripted route along the north side of the river, which proved to be a lovely bluebell-lined path, back to the Girder Bridge and the Boot Inn for a beer in the sun.

Thanks to Howard and Dave for a brilliant walk with a proper summit, with an imaginary ‘Spirited Dog award’ going to Patty!