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Mardale Head – Haweswater Reservoir loop from Haweswater Reservoir

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Hiking trails & Routes

Mardale Head – Haweswater Reservoir loop from Haweswater Reservoir

Moderate

4.6

(12)

145

hikers

Mardale Head – Haweswater Reservoir loop from Haweswater Reservoir

04:34

16.8km

240m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: April 2, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

2.50 km

Mardale Head

Highlight • Historical Site

Mardale Head is an excellent starting point for many grand adventures in the Far Eastern Fells of the Lake District. From here, trails splay out onto the likes of High Street, the Kentmere Horseshoe summits and tranquil Branstree and Selside Pike.

There was once a hamlet near here called Mardale Green, which was submerged when the reservoir was created in the 1930s to supply water to Greater Manchester. When the water is low, the remains of the village can still be seen – a ghostly sight.

Tip by

2.72 km

Views of High Street, Mardale Ill Bell, and Harter Fell

Highlight • Viewpoint

From Mardale Head, ascended via Blea Tarn and descended via Small Water

Tip by

4.48 km

Stone Bridge and Waterfall on Randale Beck

Highlight • Viewpoint

A beautiful stone bridge over a beck, with a waterfall and dipping pool right next to the path.

Tip by

5.39 km

Haweswater Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

Now owned by United Utilities, the reservoir was under Manchester Corporation’s ownership when work started on the construction of the dam in 1929. Prior to this, Haweswater held the title of the Lake Districts highest natural lake. The level then rose a further 29 metres with the building of the dam, which completed in 1935.
The reservoir was built in order to supply drinking water to the Manchester and it's in a drinking water safeguard zone.

Tip by

6.77 km

Submerged Villages of Haweswater

Highlight • Lake

As a result of the creation of the dam, villages such as Measand and Mardale Green that sat at the bottom of the valley were flooded. The farms, houses and even the Inn were demolished and the stone from the dismantled church was used in the construction of the dam. The 14th century church of Mardale village was one of a few contenders claiming to be the smallest in England.

At times of very low water levels, you can see the remains of the submerged village including stone walls and a bridge.

Tip by

8.83 km

Viewpoint

9.90 km

Haweswater Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

Now owned by United Utilities, the reservoir was under Manchester Corporation’s ownership when work started on the construction of the dam in 1929. Prior to this, Haweswater held the title of the Lake Districts highest natural lake. The level then rose a further 29 metres with the building of the dam, which completed in 1935.

The reservoir was built in order to supply drinking water to the Manchester and it's in a drinking water safeguard zone.

Tip by

10.3 km

View of Lake District Common Land

Highlight • Viewpoint

10% of Britain's water supply comes from upland commons. 57% of the 15,500ha of land in the Thirlmere and Haweswater catchments supply 650 megalitres of water to Manchester and the Northwest of England each day, both are registered common land.

Tip by

11.7 km

Naddle Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

Old stone bridge over the Haweswater Beck.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

12.9 km

Low Forest

Forest

16.8 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.91 km

4.51 km

2.36 km

Surfaces

6.16 km

6.09 km

4.54 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (290 m)

Lowest point (210 m)

Weather

Monday 25 May

26°C

12°C

26 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 7.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Mardale Head – Haweswater Reservoir loop from Haweswater Reservoir

Mardale Head

Views of High Street, Mardale Ill Bell, and Harter Fell

Stone Bridge and Waterfall on Randale Beck

Haweswater Reservoir

Submerged Villages of Haweswater

Haweswater Reservoir

View of Lake District Common Land

Naddle Bridge

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