Glenridding Dodd & Sheffield Pike
Lake District Walk
Nat Park - Lake District - Lake District Eastern Fells
Wainwrights - Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike
County/Area - Cumbria
Author - Lou Johnson
Length - 4.5 miles / 7.3 km Ascent - 1400 feet / 424 metres
Time - 3 hours 40 minutes Grade - easy/mod
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 |
Walk Route Description
Click image to see photo description.
Two 'Wainwrights' located to the north-west of Glenridding form the basis of this Lake District circular walk. The first, Glenridding Dodd, was a particular favourite of Victorians venturing into the hills to enjoy the prospect over the southern end of Ullswater and the surrounding hills. The second summit, Sheffield Pike, has less to offer scenically although there are still some views of Lakeland Fells. In periods of poor visibility it should be remembered that Sheffield Pike in particular is flanked to the north and south by extensive steep crags so care should be exercised when navigating this hill.
The start is the large pay and display car park in the centre of Glenridding (grid ref. NY386169) on the western side of the main A592 through the village. Exit the car park and follow Greenside Road through the village in a westerly direction. On busy days you will be joining a throng of walkers heading for Helvellyn via Striding Edge. At the end of the village Greenside Road bends right and then left before heading up the valley on the northern side of Glenridding Beck. Where the road bends left, take the footpath on the right to cross a footbridge and start the steep ascent up to the col between Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike where you will reach a gate in a cross wall. Bear right before the wall and continue to the summit of Glenridding Dodd. Do allow time to enjoy the views particularly over Ullswater. In the other direction the panorama includes a number of the higher fells including St Sunday Crag and Helvellyn.
To continue the walk retrace your steps down to the wall to take the onward path up Sheffield Pike's south-east ridge to Heron Pike and an iron post marked on OS maps of the area. The path then trends north for a short way before continuing in a westerly direction to the summit of the fell. The path is generally well walked. There are a couple of areas of boggy ground which can generally be avoided quite easily. The summit is not the most inspiring and the best views are probably enjoyed from Heron Pike.
From the summit walk west and descend to Nick Head (grid ref NY362182) to briefly join the path coming up from Glencoyne and heading across to Stick's Pass. Almost immediately after joining this path take the clear path on your left that descends in a south-westerly direction to join a much wider path coming down from Stick's Pass. Turn left onto this path and descend via a series of zigzags into the valley. Do not cross Glenridding Beck instead use Greenside Road to return to the start.
Other walks nearby
Walk 1230 | Birks & Arnison Crag | moderate | 5.5 miles |
Walk 1520 | Helvellyn & Fairfield Horseshoe from Patterdale | very hard | 13.0 miles |
Walk 2047 | Place Fell from Patterdale | moderate | 7.5 miles |
Walk 2425 | Boredale Circular from Patterdale | mod/hard | 11.5 miles |
Walk 3670 | Angle Tarn and Hayeswater | moderate | 8.3 miles |
Walk 1110 | Angletarn Pikes | moderate | 7.0 miles |
Walk 2060 | The Angletarn Pikes and Brock Crags from Hartsop | moderate | 8.0 miles |
Walk 3388 | Hayeswater and Angle Tarn from Hartsop | mod/hard | 11.5 miles |
Walk 2386 | Red Screes via Dove Crag | mod/hard | 8.6 miles |
Walk 2039 | Gowbarrow Fell circular | moderate | 3.5 miles |
Recommended Books & eBooks
Lake District: High Level and Fell Walks
This guidebook describes 30 graded fell walks on the ridges and high peaks of the English Lake District, the UK's most popular national park. Reaching some of England's finest and highest mountain scenery, this guide leads readers to classic horseshoes and traditional ascents as well as lesser-known routes to quieter summits.
More information
Lake District: Low Level and Lake Walks
This guidebook describes 30 of the best low-level walks in the Lake District. From delightful wooded glades and sparkling tarns, to waterfalls and glacier-carved valleys towered over by craggy mountains. The walks described aim to seek out the best walking that the lower areas of the Lake District have to offer.
More information
Mountain Weather
Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.