Brown Howe (Mardale)

About Brown Howe (Mardale)

Sitting as a subsidiary top on the eastern shoulder of Branstree, this grassy Birkett provides a grandstand view over the head of Mardale. Though often bypassed by those heading straight for the higher summits, its quiet, undulating terrain offers a peaceful perspective of the craggy ridges surrounding the Haweswater reservoir.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Old Norse 'haugr', meaning a hill or mound, while 'Brown' likely refers to the seasonal colour of the bent grass and bracken that dominates its slopes.
• •Though omitted from Wainwright’s primary list of 214 fells, Bill Birkett included it in his 'Complete Lakeland Fells', noting its position as an excellent vantage point for inspecting the deep, glacial scoop of the Mardale valley.
• •From the summit, you get an intimate view of the Nan Bield Pass—the ancient trackway connecting Mardale and Kentmere—framed by the steep, craggy profiles of Harter Fell and High Street.
• •It is most commonly reached by a short detour from the main path between Artlecrag Pike and the Gatescarth Pass, crossing a section of ground that remains notoriously spongy even in a dry summer.
• •In thick mist, the summit can feel more like a general suggestion than a specific point, often leading walkers to wander between several indistinguishable grassy bumps to ensure they have actually 'topped out'.