Lake District
Little Harter Fell
681M
2234FT
About Little Harter Fell
Often overlooked by those rushing between High Street and Harter Fell, this rocky Birkett provides an excellent vantage point over the Nan Bield Pass. It offers a rugged, craggy character that contrasts with the grassy slopes nearby, providing a quiet, tactical stop-off with intimate views into the depths of Mardale.
Key Statistics
Rank
177th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Far Eastern Fells
Prominence
?
11m
Nearest Town
Sadgill
Geology
You are walking on a foundation of ancient volcanic rock and hardened ash. These durable layers form the rugged landscape beneath your boots.
Classifications
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY468094
Latitude
54.4776°N
Longitude
2.8211°W
Did You Know?
- •The name derives from the Old Norse 'hjartar-fjall', meaning 'hill of the hart' or deer. While its larger namesake dominates the Mardale skyline, this 'Little' outlier marks the point where the ridge from Nan Bield begins its final, rocky rise.
- •Although ignored by Alfred Wainwright in his Pictorial Guides, Bill Birkett identified this distinct 681-metre high point as a summit in its own right, making it a mandatory detour for those attempting to bag all 541 Birkett peaks.
- •Positioned directly above the Nan Bield Pass, the summit offers a superb, plunging perspective down to Small Water, a classic glacial tarn tucked into a deep corrie beneath the crags of High Street.
- •It serves as a convenient tactical pause for walkers who wish to claim a second summit while catching their breath before the steep, final pull to the top of the 'proper' Harter Fell.