Walk 52 - Dodd - 30th April 2021
 

Wainwright's Walking Guide to the Lake District Fells - Book 5 The Northern Fells

 

#124 Dodd 1647 ft

Distance
7.1 miles
Time
6 hrs
Lowest Point
216 ft
Highest Point
1998 ft
Total Ascent
2117 ft
 
Walk Rating - moderate
 

Mini Route Map
(larger map at the bottom)

Go to start on OS map

Go to start on Google

   
   
   
  12.55 Panorama 486 We found out that a free room was available on the top of the Moot Hall where Nick could make his Uni zoom call. Excellent ! We had some time to kill so we walked down to the lake for a view from the shore.  
   
  13.04 Panorama 487 On the beach just below Friar Crag. Although it was the start of the bank holiday weekend the town was very quiet thanks to the coronvirus restrictions. Hotels and B&Bs had not opened.  
   
  13.17 Panorama 488 From Crow Park looking back down Derwent Water and west towards Cat Bells, Causey Pike and Grisedale Pike.  
   
  13.18 Panorama 489 From Crow Park looking north to Skiddaw and east to Clough Head and Walla Crag.  
 
 
  16.15 Once parked near the little cafe we set off across Skill Beck and up the forest road. A pause for a route check to the north of the beck.  
 
 
  16.47 There are lots of paths among the trees and we checked our position at every junction to make sure we were on the right one.  
   
  16.59 Panorama 490 Having had little view so far among the trees we suddenly crested a rise to meet this view south towards Keswick and Derwent Water.  
 
 
  17.00 Looking across the valley floor to Dale Head at the end of the Newlands Valley.  
   
  17.18 Panorama 491 Looking south to Keswick and Derwentwater from just below the summit.  
 
 
  17.21 First to the summit as usual.  
   
  17.25 Panorama 492 Dodd summit.  
       
   

When trees covered the summit one could not see all of the fells indicated ... without standing on tiptoes, craning the neck, leaping in the air and
miscellaneous gyrations of the body not normally indulged in by people in their right senses.
The felling has transformed the prospect, and the view south is simply glorious.

 
   
Alfred Wainwright - The Northern Fells. Dodd 14
 
       
   
  17.28 Panorama 493 Dodd summit from the western edge to give a better view of Bassenthwaite. The summit stone is visible to the right of the picture.  
 
 
  17.29 The northern end of Bassenthwaite. In the distance is Criffel in Scotland.  
 
 
  17.29 Sun catching the southern end of Bassenthwaite. Barf and Lord's Seat are perfectly lined up. We will climb them in two days time.  
 
 
  17.30 Across the valley is Braithwaite and Causey Pike  
 
 
  17.34 Looking to the left is a distant view of the Helvellyn range. The pointed tip of Catstye Cam peaks out just above White Side.  
   
  17.36 Panorama 494 Dodd summit  
 
 
  17.45 The summit stone  
 
 
  17.45 Starting back down.  
 
 
  17.50 The small road off the summit. Glaramara and Pike O'Stickle visible far to the south.  
 
 
  17.51Heading down to another viewpoint  
   
  17.52 Panorama 478 Nick stops at the viewpoint just off the main route.  
 
 
  18.07 A pleasant walk back down.  
 
 
  18.10 Through the woods along gently sloping paths.  
 
 
  18.14 Across the southern end of Bassenthwaite with Grisedale Pike in the distance.  
 
 
  18.25 The path loops around a bit. Above Nick is the bend near where the previous picture was taken.  

 
   
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