From the car park at Mardale Head, we make a steady ascent up the zig zag path of Gatescarth pass, pausing occasionally to take in the views across Haweswater, High Street and the fells beyond. Just before a crossroad of paths we take a left turn and walk parallel to a fence on our right, continuing up Branstree to the summit of Artlecrag Pike. We continue on to the summit of Selside Pike. From here there are views of the Lakeland fells to the west, High Raise, Rampsgill Head, Kidsty Pike and to the East, The Pennines.
From Selside Pike, beside a cairn, we turn right to follow the line of a fence downhill towards Nabs Moor. At Swine Gill we turn left onto a bridleway that takes us to Swindale Head. From Swindale Head we take the the Old Corpse Road to ascend again and the views of Hawswater appears in front of us once more. On our decsent we pass by several derelict buildings and down to the road which we follow to take us back to the car park at Mardale Head.
This is a "Moderate" walk but with a couple of significant ascents that will be undertaken at a relaxed pace.
Be prepared for various terrains on this route, from scree and loose stones to bog and beck hopping on the high fells.