Branstree has a connection southwestward to Harter Fell: the ridge crosses Gatescarth Pass (1,900 ft) which was the route of pedestrian traffic between Mardale and Longsleddale, its well-graded zig-zags still used by walkers today. The ancient trade between the two valleys ended when the level of Haweswater was raised in the 1940s, submerging the village of Mardale Green beneath the reservoir.