High Street

About High Street

High Street is the highest point in the Far Eastern Fells, at an elevation of 828 m (2,718 ft) above sea level. Its prominence is 373 m (1,224 ft) and it is listed as a Marilyn, a Hewitt and a Nuttall, as well as being one of Wainwright’s 241 fells. Its parent peak is Helvellyn and it is named after the Roman road that ran over its summit.

The eastern side of High Street is precipitous and craggy as it descends into Haweswater Reservoir. Two tarns lie below these eastern crags – Blea Water, the deepest tarn in the Lake District and Small Water.

The flat summit of High Street is big enough to have been used for summer fairs in the 18th and 19th centuries. The highest point is marked by an Ordnance Survey trig column, from whence there is an impressive view of Pennines to the east, with the Helvellyn range and the Southern Fells beyond featuring at their best. There is also a small but not very effective wind shelter at the top.

Climbing High Street

There are a variety of routes to the top of High Street, but those from the east, beginning at Mardale and following a narrow rocky ridge which begins at The Rigg near the head of Haweswater are generally considered to be the best, allowing for splendid views along the way of the Riggingdale straits, Kidsty Pike and Rampsgill Head. There is also the possibility of seeing the only known golden eagle in England, which lives in Riggindale.

A direct walk from Troutbeck follows the old Roman road. For a longer walk along the route taken by the Romans centuries ago, begin at Yoke in the south and end at Loadpot Hill in the north, a good day’s walking which takes in nine fells. Note that this route is linear, not circular!

High Street can also be ascended from Patterdale and Kentmere.