High Street from Hartsop

High Street is the broad grassy ridge above Haweswater, crossed by a Roman road that once linked Ambleside with Brougham. From Hartsop the route climbs up to Hayeswater, a glacial lake under Gray Crag, then pulls up a steep pitched path to Thornthwaite Beacon before following the ridge north to the 828m summit. It is a dog friendly walk for fit hill dogs, with miles of rolling ridge and big open views to the Pennines on a clear day.

Parking is at the small Hartsop village car park where donations go back into the community. Herdwick sheep graze the whole valley and ridge, and the area is also home to ground-nesting birds and red deer, so dogs must be on a short lead throughout. The terrain is tarmac lane, stony track, pitched path and short grass on the ridge, with plenty of water at Hayeswater and the summit plateau streams. There are no facilities in Hartsop itself, so stock up in Glenridding or Patterdale before setting off.