The Clough Head and Stybarrow Dodd walk in the Lake District

North from the small car park by the side of the B5233 near Lowthwaite Farm, then east across Hausewell Brow by way of the Old Coach Road. South-west to the top of Clough Head and generally south to the crossroads at Sticks Pass, with visits to the summits of Calfhow Pike, Great Dodd, Watson’s Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd. West down to Legburthwaite and finally north through St John’s in the Vale via Sosgill Bridge and Bridge House. A 12-mile walk in the Lake District.

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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.

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The summit of Clough Head, height 726 metres (2382 feet).

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The view of Blencathra from Clough Head.

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Time for a break near Calfhow Pike before we head south-east up to Great Dodd.

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Looking north-west from Calfhow Pike towards Skiddaw.

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The grassy slopes of Matterdale Common with Great Mell Fell in the background.

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The summit of Great Dodd, height 857 metres (2812 feet).

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Thirlmere (Reservoir) as seen from Great Dodd, with the Scafell Pike range of mountains on the horizon.

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The summit of Watson’s Dodd, height 789 metres (2589 feet).

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The view of Thirlmere from Watson’s Dodd.

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Heading over to Stybarrow Dodd from Watson’s Dodd.

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The summit of Stybarrow Dodd, height 843 metres (2768 feet).

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Heading south from Stybarrow Dodd to Sticks Pass.

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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.

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The view north-west towards Skiddaw and Bassenthwaite Lake as we descend from Sticks Pass.

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Sheepfold between Sticks Pass and Stanah.

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Mike and Keith have a rest on the steep, grassy slopes just east of Stanah.

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Greathow Wood on Great How.

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Thirlmere (Reservoir) now in full view from the lower, western slopes of Stybarrow Dodd.

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The final part of the descent close to Stanah.

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Sty Beck Fall.

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A leat or man-made watercourse at Stanah.

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Refreshments at the Lodge in the Vale, Legburthwaite.

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The fifth Wainwright of the day! The four previous ones were Clough Head, Great Dodd, Watson’s Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd.

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The woodland path through St John’s in the Vale below the eastern flanks of High Rigg.

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The view over to Castle Rock from the path through St John’s in the Vale.

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