Walk 2585 - printer friendly version

Hartsop Dodd, Stony Cove Pike, High St. & The Knott Walk

Author - Bill Milne

Length - 10.0 miles / 16.3 km

Ascent - 3500 feet / 1061 metres

Grade - mod/hard

Start - OS grid reference NY410130
Lat 54.508859 + Long -2.9127286
Postcode CA11 0NY (approx. location only)

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.

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