North Pennines
Harter Fell
521M
1709FT
About Harter Fell
Rising above the Mallerstang valley south of Kirkby Stephen, this quiet, grassy hump offers a peaceful vantage point away from the Dales' busier peaks. Often bypassed for its larger neighbours, its summit provides an intimate look at the Settle-Carlisle railway snaking below and the dramatic limestone escarpments of Wild Boar Fell.
Key Statistics
Rank
167th Highest in Region
Parent Range
Yorkshire Dales
Prominence
?
117m
Nearest Town
Westmorland and Furness
Geology
You are walking on a foundation of sandstone, hardened mud, and limestone. These layered rocks form the rugged slopes of Harter Fell.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
NY721002
Latitude
54.3965°N
Longitude
2.4312°W
Did You Know?
- •The name is derived from the Old Norse 'hjörtr', meaning a hart or stag, and 'fell', a mountain. This suggests the area was once a significant habitat for red deer, a common naming convention across the Norse-influenced uplands of Northern England.
- •Positioned on the eastern flank of the Mallerstang valley, the summit provides an exceptional vantage point to watch the Settle-Carlisle railway as it climbs toward its highest point at Ais Gill, located just to the south.
- •The hill is frequently overlooked by walkers heading for the more dramatic profile of Wild Boar Fell directly across the valley, making it an ideal choice for those seeking solitude in the Northern Dales.
- •Its status as a Hump—a hill with a prominence of at least 100 metres—highlights its physical independence from the higher ridge of High Seat to the east.
- •It is the shortest of the three Harter Fells in the north of England; if you find yourself surrounded by the craggy volcanic rock of the Lake District, you have definitely parked in the wrong county.