Experience the Lake District’s Three Dodds on the Great Dodd Walk
Commence your Great Dodd walk at the small car park adjacent to the B5233 road, opposite Lowthwaite Farm in St John’s in the Vale. Start heading northwards for about half a mile along the roadside, passing Hill Top Farm. Then proceed east, walking beneath the northern slopes of Threlkeld Knotts. Continue your exploration along the historic Old Coach Road across Hausewell Brow.
Prepare for a challenging climb as your journey turns south-west, towards the peak of Clough Head. Upon reaching the top, a footpath awaits you, leading south to the summit of Calfhow Pike. This forms a rewarding checkpoint in your Great Dodd walk, providing panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
From Calfhow Pike, shift your direction south-east, guiding you to the pinnacle of Great Dodd. After this, change direction to south-west, and you will find yourself standing atop Watson’s Dodd. Your next target, Stybarrow Dodd, lies to the south-east of this point. Continue south after enjoying the vistas from Stybarrow Dodd, making your way towards the intersection known as Sticks Pass.
Upon turning west from Sticks Pass, brace yourself for a steep descent down to Stanah and Legburthwaite. Venture northwards through the heart of St John’s in the Vale, staying on footpaths that skirt the western side of the B5233 road. Notable landmarks on this stretch include Low Bridge End Farm and Sosgill Bridge, leading you to Bridge House. To conclude your Great Dodd walk, proceed east via Howgate to reach the road, then turn south along the B5233 road again, guiding you back to the car park. Your 12-mile exploration of the Lake District is now complete.
Great Dodd Walk: Maps and Tools
Visit either the OS Maps website or the Outdooractive website to view this walking route in greater detail. Both platforms offer a range of features, including the ability to print the route, download it to your device, and export the route as a GPX file. You can also watch a 3D fly-over and share the route on social media.
Great Dodd Walk: Distance, Duration, Statistics
Distance: 12 miles
Distance: 19½ kilometres
Duration: 6½ hours
Ascent: 3157 feet
Ascent: 962 metres
Type: Circular walk
About Great Dodd
Great Dodd, a fell in the English Lake District, forms part of the Helvellyn range. Its name means ‘big round hill’, reflecting the mountain’s characteristic appearance. It is located on a north-south ridge between Thirlmere and Ullswater.
Walkers may reach Great Dodd from various directions. High Row near Dockray offers an approach from the east, while Legburthwaite provides a western route. Alternatively, the main ridge track is accessible from both north and south. Additionally, the western side of the mountain presents three gill climbs that may appeal to skilled scramblers.
At the summit, you’ll find a smooth, grassy dome, a feature shared with its southern neighbours, Watson’s Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd. These three fells, often referred to as ‘The Three Dodds’, consist of volcanic rocks from the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. They’re topped by the same rock sheet, a result of colossal volcanic explosions that occurred during the formation of a volcanic caldera about 450 million years ago.
In the Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Great Dodd ranks 19th in height among the Wainwright Fells. Standing at 857 metres (2812 feet), this majestic mountain offers a unique experience for any Great Dodd walk. Its grid reference is NY 342 205, and it is covered in the OS Explorer map OL5 and the OS Landranger map 90. For those interested, you can find more details in the Eastern Fells Wainwright Book.
Recommended Ordnance Survey Map
The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the Lake District North-Eastern Area, reference OS Explorer OL5, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.
Standard Version
Great Dodd Walk: My Photos
The summit of Clough Head, height 726 metres (2382 feet), about one-quarter of the way round our Great Dodd walk.
The view of Blencathra from Clough Head.
Time for a break near Calfhow Pike before we head south-east up to Great Dodd.
Looking north-west from Calfhow Pike towards Skiddaw.
The grassy slopes of Matterdale Common with Great Mell Fell in the background.
The summit of Great Dodd, height 857 metres (2812 feet). This is the halfway point of our Great Dodd walk.
Thirlmere (Reservoir) as seen from Great Dodd, with the Scafell Pike range of mountains on the horizon.
The summit of Watson’s Dodd, height 789 metres (2589 feet).
The view of Thirlmere from Watson’s Dodd.
Heading over to Stybarrow Dodd from Watson’s Dodd.
The summit of Stybarrow Dodd, height 843 metres (2768 feet).
Heading south from Stybarrow Dodd to Sticks Pass.
The crossroads at Sticks Pass. Straight on would take us up to Raise, left is down to Glenridding and Ullswater, but we’re turning right which leads to Legburthwaite.
The view north-west towards Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite Lake as we descend from Sticks Pass.
Sheepfold between Sticks Pass and Stanah.
Mike and Keith have a rest on the steep, grassy slopes just east of Stanah.
Greathow Wood on Great How.
Thirlmere (Reservoir) now in full view from the lower, western slopes of Stybarrow Dodd.
The final part of the descent close to Stanah.
Sty Beck Fall.
A leat or man-made watercourse at Stanah.
Refreshments at the Lodge in the Vale, Legburthwaite. We’re just less than three-quarters of the way round our Great Dodd walk.
The fifth Wainwright of the day! The four previous ones were Clough Head, Great Dodd, Watson’s Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd.
The woodland path through St John’s in the Vale below the eastern flanks of High Rigg.
The view over to Castle Rock from the path through St John’s in the Vale.
Top Lake District Walking Guides for Exploring the Fells
The Lake District offers some of the most breathtaking walks in the UK. These four guidebooks stand out for their detailed routes and practical advice, covering everything from high-level fell walks to peak bagging the Wainwrights. Whether you’re exploring lesser-known summits or conquering famous peaks, these guides are essential companions for your adventures in the Lake District. As an Amazon affiliate, I may earn a small commission from any purchases made through the links provided. This helps support the upkeep of this website. Rest assured, you won’t pay a penny extra, but your purchase will contribute to keeping my site running smoothly. Happy walking!
Lake District High Level Mountain and Fell Walks
Discover the Lake District’s highest peaks with Vivienne Crow’s pocket-sized guide. It features 30 of the best walks on the higher fells, covering both lesser-known summits and favourites like Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, and Skiddaw. Each route is circular and ranges from 4 to 15 miles, with walks graded by difficulty. The guide is illustrated with Ordinance Survey mapping and vibrant colour photography, making it both informative and visually appealing. Crow also includes practical notes on parking, public transport links, and nearby refreshment spots. With easy access from popular centres like Keswick, Ambleside, and Windermere, this guide is an essential companion for your Lake District adventures.
Lake District Classic Lakeland Mountain Routes
Mark Richards’ large-format guidebook showcases 50 classic walks in the Lake District’s mountains. These routes are designed for experienced hillwalkers, with distances ranging from 4 to 13 miles. Richards provides clear route descriptions, accompanied by Harvey mapping and his own hand-drawn illustrations. You’ll find walks covering popular fells such as Scafell Pike and Helvellyn, as well as lesser-known routes that offer a unique challenge. Optional low-grade scrambling adds an adventurous twist to some walks. Practical details, including parking and post-walk refreshment options, are also included to ensure a well-rounded day out in the fells.
Peak Bagging the Wainwright Fells in 45 Walks
Karen and Dan Parker present 45 carefully crafted routes to help you complete all 214 of Alfred Wainwright’s iconic fells in the Lake District. The routes are divided into sections that mirror Wainwright’s original guides. They are designed to be both efficient and enjoyable. Key highlights include the Scafell round and the Glenridding Horseshoe. The Parkers provide detailed maps, elevation profiles, and essential logistics such as parking and transport options. Whether you’re completing the Wainwrights over years or in record time, this guide will be your perfect companion throughout the journey. It’s an indispensable resource for anyone looking to conquer these famous fells.
Climbing the Lakeland Wainwrights in 64 Walks
Graham Uney’s guide offers 64 walks that cover all 214 Wainwright summits in the Lake District. Uney’s approach ensures flexibility, with some summits featured more than once, allowing you to revisit favourite peaks. While Wainwright’s original guides are invaluable, Uney provides a modern perspective. He helps walkers plan full-day routes that cover multiple fells efficiently. This guidebook is filled with detailed, updated routes and practical advice, making it an excellent companion to the classic Pictorial Guides. Whether you’re aiming to complete the Wainwrights or simply explore the fells, this guide will be invaluable.