Walking Britain Lake District Walk
Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, High St. & The Knott
Maps | |||
| Ordnance Survey Explorer OL5 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Explorer OL5 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
| Ordnance Survey Landranger 90 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
| Anquet OS Landranger 90 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
It is recommended you take a map. The preferred scale is 1:25k. | |||
Walk Route Description
Click thumbnails for larger images.
This circular Lake District walk takes in the summits of Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, High Street and The Knott. The route includes considerable ascent but offers some great Lakeland views as a rewards for your efforts. To start the walk, leave the car in the car park near the sheep fold in Hartsop (off the Kirkstone Pass road), set off straight up Hartsop Dodd, keeping the dry stone wall on the right. Having gained height quickly, the vista is just incredible and it is easy to pick out Helvellyn, the two 'Edges' - Striding and Swirral - Catstye Cam, the Langdales and Skiddaw ranges.
Continuing along the top, gradually climb, keeping the wall to your left, along to Stony Cove Pike, at which point turn due East (left) and descend to Threshwaite Mouth, but not before savouring the fabulous view over The Tongue to Windermere and across to the west, our old friends, Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle.
From the col of Threshwaite Mouth there follows a steep climb, described by a septegenarian we greeted as a 'naughty little ascent' of scree strewn path to the beacon atop Thornthwaite Crag. The footpath along High Street is self evident, but be warned, the trig point is only attained by veering off the path across the grassy fell to the right.
Once achieved, it is merely a matter of following the wall down to Short Stile where the path is rejoined before swinging round to Kidsty Pike on the far side of the Riggindale valley. It is worth pausing at Short Stile to look across the valley towards Haweswater and try to catch the eagles riding the thermals … unfortunately none were around, but that would have just been too perfect a day!
Bearing almost due north at Kidsty Pike leads up to High Raise from whence steps are retraced via Rampsgill Head to the footpath and the ever-present dry stone wall that you left for Kidtsy Pike. Prior to descending towards Rest Dodd, turn left to The Knott and the splendid cairn marking the summit. At this point Rest Dodd and The Nab are within striking distance and I would suggest another 2 hours would see these 'bagged' if you wish.
As it is, winding down the valley to Hayeswater and following the track back to the car park at the foot of Hartsop Dodd completes a taxing but enjoyable day.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1228 Thornthwaite Beacon & High Street from Hartsop - moderate - 6.5 miles/10.6 km
Walk 1959 Gray Crag and Pasture Beck from Hartsop village - moderate - 5.5 miles/8.9 km
Walk 3309 Hartsop, Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike & Kirkstone Pass - moderate - 8.5 miles/13.8 km
Walk 1110 The Angletarn Pikes from Hartsop - moderate - 7.0 miles/11.4 km
Walk 2060 The Angletarn Pikes and Brock Crags from Hartsop - moderate - 8.0 miles/13 km
Walk 3388 Around Hayeswater and Angle Tarn From Hartsop - mod/hard - 11.5 miles/18.7 km
Walk 1230 Birks & Arnison Crag from Patterdale - moderate - 5.5 miles/8.9 km
Walk 1520 Helvellyn & Fairfield Horseshoe from Patterdale - very hard - 13.0 miles/21.1 km
Walk 2047 Place Fell from Patterdale - moderate - 7.5 miles/12.2 km
Walk 2425 Circuit of Boredale from Patterdale - mod/hard - 11.5 miles/18.7 km
Recommended Books & eBooks
Walking the Lake District Fells - Mardale and the Far East
Part of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 36 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from the Ullswater, Haweswater, Troutbeck, Kentmere and Longsleddale valleys, with highlights including High Street, Place Fell and the Kentmere fells. Suggestions for longer ridge routes are also included.
More information
Walking the Lake District Fells - Patterdale
Part of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 35 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from Ambleside, Grasmere and Patterdale and the Thirlmere and Ullswater valleys, with highlights including Helvellyn and Fairfield. Suggestions for longer ridge routes are also included.
More information
Outdoor Photography
This practical handbook covers digital outdoor photography and the whole range of outdoor activities including walking, running, cycling, water sports (in and on the water), as participant or spectator. Covers basic concepts, equipment and processing and optimising your images back at base.
More information
