Hartsop Dodd & Cauldale Moor (Stoney Cove Pike)

We're the only ones parked up at at Deepdale Bridge today.

Done it again ! - Yep, I should have crossed over the bridge and turned left followed by a very sharp right turn a bit further along, this would have taken us via the bridleway straight to the hamlet of Hartsop.

Chatting, we climbed over the stile and followed Goldrill beck back to the Kirkstone Pass road, still heading in the right direction, but adding 10 minutes onto the day.

I soon realised I'd done exactly the same mistake many years ago - never mind, no harm done.

Arriving in Hartsop with our first challenge for the day looming up in front of us.

Hartsop Dodd.

Hartsop Dodd.

A little soft underfoot at the low ground initially, but soon we were heading upwards towards the ridge, roughly parallel with the dry stone wall.

Looking back down towards Hartsop, with Lingy Crag and Brock Crags just behind.

On the main ridge now - time to take a breather and enjoy the views back down towards Brothers Water.

Nearing the top, the summit cairn can just be seen.

Hartsop Dodd summit.

After the summit, the going got a lot easier - a gentle uphill walk to the top of Cauldale Moor (Stoney Cove Pike).

A look back down the path towards the nose of Hartsop Dodd.

The top of Cauldale Moor is very flat, a wide open grassy and rocky plateau.

After visiting the highest point, we strolled over towards the Rough Edge ridge to begin our walk back.

There's the ridge up ahead - this was quite exciting for me, a path I hadn't walked on. I had planned on going down to Threshwaite Mouth and making our way back via Pasture Bottom.

But we changed plans on our earlier ascent when seeing how interesting (and doable) this route looked.

It certainly was good - A nice grassy path down the northern ridge for the majority of the descent.

I'd happily take this route again.

Red Screes and Middle Dodd to our left.

The path snaked its way down the nose whilst continuously offering spectacular views to Patterdale and Ullswater.

Looking back towards Cauldale Head and that very flat Cauldale Moor plateau.

Enjoying the descent with views down to Brothers Water and then Ullswater in the distance.

With the old remnants of the quarry buildings down below us, we stop and look over to Hartsop Dodd and that very steep climb earlier on in the day.

The path swings round to the left and we now have Dovedale in front of us.

Middle Dodd on the left with High Hartsop Dodd on the right.

Even though I had climbed many fells as a youngster with my father - I actually class High Hartsop Dodd as my first fell, as my friend Paul took me there on my re-introduction to the Lakes back in February 2010.

That was the start of my own lakeland Wainwright journey.

Approaching the A592 (Kirkstone Pass road) with Hartsop-above-How in the background.

We followed the road for a while passing the Brotherswater Inn on the way.

This time we followed the best route back to Bridgend by walking along the country lane from Hartsop and past the Hartsop Fold Holiday Lodges.

I had been suffering with a pain/ache in my right foot for a few weeks and this walk certainly added to my suffering.

I have had to put my walking on hold for a few weeks now to get this sorted - It's Plantar Fasciitis, and annoyingly painful. I have exercises to do, plus ice bottles and inflammation medication to take. There's a big Long Distance Walk coming up in June, so I have to be ready for that.

It may go a bit quiet on my site for a few weeks now !