Meet time: 6.30pm
Start time: 6.45pm
Estimated finish time: 9pm to 9.15pm
Distance: 3.58 miles (5.76 kilometres)
Ascent: About 1,260 feet (384 meters)
Ramblers walk grading: B (Moderate)
Start point: Outside The Old Sawmill Tearoom; Dodd Wood Car Park.
Postcode: CA12 4QE
Car parking: Dodd Wood Car Park.
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 goes around Dodd Wood and follows the Dodd Wood Summit Trail. We start off from the car park and follow the Dodd Wood Summit Trail (a forest road) as it heads eastwards and upwards towards the east end of the forest. To our left is a small valley, to our right are the slopes of Dodd Wood, and all around we are surrounded by tall pines.
When the summit trail reaches the east end of the forest, it veers off rightwards from the forest road, and follows a minor forest road. Very soon this route does a sharp turn clockwise, from there it heads towards the summit of Dodd Wood in a westwards direction. It’s at this point where Keswick, Derwent Water and various mountains become visible.
The final ascent leaves the forest and zig-zags upwards towards the top. At the top of Dodd Wood everything becomes clear as part of the Skiddaw Range can be seen to the north, the Helvellyn Range to the southeast, the distant central fells can be seen from the south, and to the west the northwest fells and Whinlatter Forest can all be seen on a good day.
For the descent we go back to the zig-zagging path and descend a bit before coming to a very small, narrow footpath which represents the other half of the Dodd Wood Summit Trail. This footpath is a very beautiful route around the southern and western slopes of this mountain as it descends through the trees. Eventually the footpath joins a forest road which soon returns to the forest road we started upon. From there it is a quick descent back to the car park.
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Tuesday 25 July if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)). This walk is suitable for dogs as there are no sheep in Dodd Wood.
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.