Dodd

Wednesday 17th August 2022

Walking Diary (All Walks) Lakeland Easy Walks Wainwrights Northern

A few miles north of Keswick is Dodd Wood, an area of woodland managed by the Forestry Commission. Their various green arrowed trails (summit trail) will guide you to the top of the 500m fell 'Dodd'

There's nothing difficult about climbing Dodd, it's connected to the Skiddaw massif, but is more or less a stand-alone small fell. I have previously added it into a full days walk, usually when doing the Ullock Pike ridge, but today I decided to walk it on its own. Although it's small, it still takes quite a bit of effort to get to the top as it's almost continuous ascent. I have categorised this as an 'easy' walk, although as I say, you will know you have been on a climb.

However, when reaching the summit, your efforts are rewarded with fantastic 360 degree views all around the northern lakes.

The information contained in the material on this Website is for information purposes only and does not constitute advice.
Distance: 4.6 miles
Duration: 2:00 hours
Ascent: 1394 ft
Difficulty: Moderate/Easy
Accompanied By: On my Own
Weather: Warm & Sunny

Wainwrights Visited

Dodd

3D outline of route

Parking

Dodd Wood Car Park.

The Old Sawmill Tea Rooms doing brisk business today.

Just after the bridge heading up through Dodd Woods. Today, I chose to go right at the bridge and head up to the right of Skill Beck. The majority of walkers go over the bridge and head up on the other side of the beck. No real difference (both paths join near the top), I just went up this path and then returned down the one on the other side later on in the day.

The sun beginning to break through the Douglas firs.

Constant gradual ascent.

A break in the trees revealed Long Side.

After the two forestry tracks merged into one, a right turn was taken towards the summit.

Views of Keswick & Derwent Water appear on the left hand side.

The final pull up to the top as the sun beats down.

Dodd summit.

Stunning views of Bassenthwaite and the North Western fells as I enjoy my lunch in the sun listening to the cricket.

Heading back down through the woodland.

Looking over to the flank of Carl Side and the narrow path that I have descended many times before.

This is where the two tracks diverge. I came up on the one on the right and I'm now going down the (slightly better) one on the right.

Following the track all the way back to the Old Sawmill and the wooden bridge at the bottom of Dodd Wood.