South-west from Dockray across Watermillock Common to Swineside Knott, then west around the Glencoyne valley on the path beneath Scot Crag and Glencoyne Head. Further west to Sticks Pass followed by a northerly ascent to the top of Stybarrow Dodd. North-east to the summit of Hart Side and down to the tiny hamlet of Dowthwaitehead via Birkett Fell. Finally north-east back to the starting point by way of Crookwath and Beckbottom, roughly tracking the course of Aira Beck. A 10-mile walk in the Lake District.
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.
RECOMMENDED MAP
Standard Ordnance Survey map of the Lake District North-Eastern Area, reference OS Explorer OL5, scale 1:25,000.
Buy now on Amazon
View all Ordnance Survey maps
RECOMMENDED MAP
Weatherproof Active Ordnance Survey map of the Lake District North-Eastern Area, reference OS Explorer OL5, scale 1:25,000.
Buy now on Amazon
View all Ordnance Survey maps
The view west towards Glencoyne Head from the footpath below Brown Hills.
Looking east over to Place Fell from the footpath below Brown Hills. Ullswater is just visible.
Mike and Keith fooling around against the backdrop of Glencoyne Head.
Walking along the path beneath Scot Crag.
The Glencoyne valley as seen from the path beneath Scot Crag.
Looking over to Sheffield Pike from the footpath below Glencoyne Head.
The footpath below Glencoyne Head is comfortable to walk along and easy to navigate.
Glencoyne Beck can clearly be seen meandering its way through the valley on course for Ullswater.
The view back to Scot Crag on the steep southern slopes of Hart Side. The path we had walked along can be seen about half way down the mountainside.
A larger portion of Ullswater becomes visible as we make our way around the Glencoyne valley.
One of several disused quarries and tips south of Glencoyne Head.
Walking through the Sticks Gill valley on the way up to Sticks Pass.
Sticks Gill flowing through the valley, with Sheffield Pike in the background.
Sticks Pass and the path leading to Stybarrow Dodd.
The summit of Hart Side, height 756 metres (2480 feet).
Keith at the top of Birkett Fell, height 725 metres (2379 feet).
The view north-east down to the Dowthwaitehead / Aira Beck valley.
The hamlet of Dowthwaitehead can be seen nestled below Dowthwaite Crag on the south-eastern flanks of High Brow.
Heading along the farmland track towards Dowthwaitehead.
Dowthwaitehead beneath Dowthwaite Crag.
Belted Galloways, a traditional Scottish breed of beef cattle, on farmland near Crookwath.
The path near Lucy’s Wood west of Dockray.
Entering the village of Dockray.
We meet Dockray resident Barrie Quinney, stood outside the house where he was born and has lived in for his entire life of over 80 years.
