Walk Summary
A walk on the remote and lonely eastern fells of the Dodds (Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd). Expansive views over to Blencathra. Guaranteed wind on the top of Great Dodd. Drops in on the pretty village of Dockray.
Date: 14/02/2023
Length: 9.71 miles
Height Gain: 615 m
Terrain: Boggy fell, rocky tracks, lightly used road
Navigation: Map, compass and gps required. The path from Hart Side to Dockray is a bit vague in places and also meanders quite a bit.
Start: High Brow Carpark
Route: High Brow Carpark, Old Coach Road, Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Stybarrow Dodd, Hart Side, Dockray
Map: OL5 North Eastern Lake District
Weather: Frosty, sunny, interesting cloud formations
Walkers: Nun, Cabin Boy, Captain Mo
Gallery
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Frosty Start
Captain's Log
Late Start
The Dodds, Great Dodd, Watson's Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd, present themselves as a trinity of huge lumps from the Thirlmere valley. They look as though they can hold their own with the nearby, mighty Helvellyn. From the east though, looking over Matterdale Common, they present themselves as easier prospects with more gentle slopes. Today's walk was to tackle these sleeping giants on a circular walk from Matterdale.
It was a frosty start as we set off along the Old Coach Road. I was so engrossed in trying to get a view of Great Dodd that I nearly did a triple salchow on some ice. It wasn't long before we left the road and started crossing the fell. It was a good job that it was icy since it had frozen a lot of the bog and this made the going good to firm. We took a small diversion northwards off the path, near Wolf Crags, in order that we could get a better view of Blencathra, across Threlkeld Common. The sun was playing hide and seek behind some clouds and the view morphed from shade to sunlight. Looking westwards, Great Dodd didn't look particularly difficult and we set off towards its east face.
Great Dodd
It is always windy on Great Dodd. I've climbed it many times and I can't remember a day when I wasn't battered by a westerly. I remember on one particular occasion, when I was climbing to the top on this very same path, I had to drop to my knees so that I didn't get blown over. It wasn't quite that bad today though, although there was still a brisk wind. The sky looked very grey over to the west and clouds of misty rain could be seen drifting over Keswick towards Skiddaw. We headed for the stone shelter on the summit plateau and were relieved that nobody else had commandeered it. We plonked ourselves down into its recesses and enjoyed a few minutes respite from the wind.
Approach To Great Dodd
Looking Towards Helvellyn From Stybarrow Dodd
Looking Back To Great Dodd From Watson's Dodd
Watson's Dodd And Stybarrow Dodd
On our way down Great Dodd's southern flank, we met a man walking up to the top. He was wearing shorts and looked dressed for a summer's day. A few minutes later, he came jogging past us, as he headed off towards Stybarrow Dodd. We headed off on the short diversion to Watson's Dodd. It is possible to walk on a direct path between Great Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd, but I find that the lower Watson's Dodd provides the best views of the three Dodds. It's steeper western side allows great views into the Thirlmere valley and over towards Keswick.
The wind was coming from the side now and we tacked our way over towards Stybarrow Dodd. Another runner past us as we climbed up to the summit. At its summit cairn, looking southwards, we could see that some snow still clung to the top of the eastern face of Helvellyn. There isn't much else to see from its flat summit and so we didn't hang about. Our next objective was to drop off the summit and contour around the rim of the Deepdale valley, north eastwards towards Hart Side.
Hart Side
A couple of walkers popped their head up above the horizon, as we approached Hart Side's summit. They then disappeared towards White Stones. That was a stroke of luck since they'd just vacated the only shelter in about a mile's radius. It wasn't much of a shelter (in a former life it was a trench), but it provided us with enough cover for us to hunker down for our lunch.
After sandwiches and coffee we headed downhill towards Brown Hills. A couple of jet fighters flew down the Kirkstone valley, and then revealed their undercarriage, as they banked sideways to continue their journey down Ullswater. They were too far away to get a decent photo. We followed a track that meandered across the tops of Watermillock Common. The sun made an intermittent appearence, and then eventually decided to make it permanent as we descended across the boggy fell towards Dockray.
Rainbow Near Hart Side
Looking Towards Dockray
Coming To Say Hello
Return
We made a fleeting appearance in the small village of Dockray. We entered, crossed the road bridge, and then headed off up the single track road to Dowthwaitehead. Just outside of the village we came across a field with a magnificent heavy horse. It trotted over towards us and hung its head over the field gate. I stroked its forehead and it seemed to enjoy having a bit of company. The last part of the walk was uphill and on tarmac, but we took it at a leisurely pace and it provided an enjoyable end to the walk.
The Dodd's 'Back Yard' is probably less frequented than other Lakeland areas. It does tend to be flatter, but this does have the advantage of easier walking. It doesn't skimp on the scenery though, with exceptional views from Watson's Dodd and Brown Hills. An excellent walk.