Meet time: 9.15am
Start time: 9.30am
Estimated finish time: 3pm – 3.30pm
Distance: 7.9 to 8 miles (12.7 – 12.9 kilometres)
Ascent: About 3310 feet (1009 meters)
Ramblers walk grading: B (Moderate)
Start point: Dodd Wood Car park
Postcode: CA12 4QE
Car parking: There is a carpark in the western part of Dodd Wood adjacent to the A591.
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: This walk starts from the car park in Dodd Wood and explores parts of the wood and covers several of the pikes of the Skiddaw Range. This is an ideal walk if you are newer to mountain walking or haven’t hiked in a while and want to start again.
The route begins in the tall pines of Dodd Wood and moves northwards along the forest tracks and paths. There is a gentle ascent as the route moves beyond the northern reaches of Dodd Wood and towards the beginning of the ridge which forms the northwestern part of the Skiddaw Range. At Ling How the ridge ascent begins and the path turns around and travels southwards. There is a moderate ascent as the ridge arcs around to the east with the first Wainwright being Ullock Pike soon followed by two more: Longside Edge and Carl Side (2448 feet). Along the ridge are amazing views of Keswick, Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite and much of the northern Lake District.
At Carl Side the path arcs around northeastwards to begin the steeper ascent on a path cutting through the scree slopes, this reaches the top of Skiddaw (3054 feet), one of the tallest mountains in the Lake District. There are amazing views of all the north Lake District mountains. Up on Skiddaw even the tall Carl Side and Longside Edge look small!
The route returns to Carl Side and this time continues straight to the top of Carl Side and afterwards begins a partial descent down Carl Side’s southern tongue. About halfway down there are the White Rocks and the route takes a right turn on the path towards Dodd Wood. Having entered Dodd Wood from the east the walk takes the upper forest trail, and a gentle ascent, to reach the top of Dodd Wood- known as Dodd, the fifth and last Wainwright of the walk. After savouring the incredible views, the route doubles back a little before taking a small path which is the Dodd summit trail. This amazing path arcs around the southern and western slopes of Dodd before cutting through the trees. The summit trail comes down to one of the forest trails and it becomes a quick journey downwards, past the very tall pine trees, to return to Dodd Wood car park. Finally, adjacent to the car park, there is a very good café which serves excellent cakes, scones and ice cream.
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 22 July if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)). This walk may be suitable for dogs provided they are used to walking long distances and also ensuring they have plenty of water and are kept on a lead near livestock.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
Car sharing is now possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.