Walk                           :  Sheffield Pike (2,232 ft) and Glenridding Dodd (1,425 ft) from Glencoyne

Date                           :  7th  September  2019

Weather                    :  Dry, sunny @ 14°C – perfect climbing conditions

 

Distance                   :  5 miles round trip

Time Taken              :  1 hour 45 mins to summit

 

Which part of Lakeland is this walk situated

 

Terrain Overview

 

Overview

 

A perfect day weather wise for fell climbing was forecasted and didn’t disappoint. This walk from the foot of the Glencoyne Woods near Glenridding

is an absolute belter, however be aware that the so called ridge walk between Sheffield Pike down to Glenridding Dodd is a tad adventurous and

its vital to find the correct way off the Pike. Wainwright described the walk as “A rough but pleasant walk with fine views” – the first part of the journey

towards Heron Pike is good enough if a little boggy, however getting down safely off Heron Pike requires care

 

 

From the A592 just a short distance out from Glenridding travelling North there are numerous lay-bys in which to park. The walk starts by the bus stop at the entrance of a

cart track that leads towards Seldom Seen

 

 

At the start of the track take the central path towards a farm building

 

 

The path crosses over a a Cattle Grid within a couple of hundred yards

 

 

Ignore the sign pointing to Mossdale Bay and swing right

 

 

A bench with a view !! at the side of the track towards Seldom Seen

 

 

The path approaches a row of terraced cottages. From here swing left behind the trees to pick up a path that runs parallel with the wall

 

 

Seldom Seen originally a row of Miners Cottages from the path

 

 

First view of Sheffield Pike from the path

 

 

The path skirts the edge of Glencoyne Wood

 

 

The path leads to a gate through which at this point you have the option to carry on and climb gently towards the col at Nick Head or you can turn immediately sharp left

and climb steeply on at times a pathless journey towards the base of Heron Pike. It all depends on what your preference is but for me the gentle slope up to Nick Head

is a complete no brainer

 

 

Looking back to Ullswater from the track up to Nick Head

 

 

Higher on up the path and there are 2 gates in the wall. Take the upper one (on your left)

 

 

Through the gate and the path rises very gently towards Nick Head. Jones the Bastard waits patiently for us to catch up

 

 

Too busy admiring the view back towards Ullswater

 

 

Approaching the col at Nick Head where the path will swing round to the left allowing for an easy summit of Sheffield Pike from the southern end

 

 

Shortly after the path has swung left it splits. Take the left fork for an easy climb to the summit approach ridge

 

 

The huge whale back ridge connecting Stybarrow Dodd, Great Dodd and Hart Side from the ridge path

 

 

Catstye Cam in the centre of the shot with Helvellyn in the background from the approach ridge to Sheffield Pike

 

 

 

The summit approach path

 

 

Phew !!made it – Sue and Ste on the summit of Sheffield Pike

 

Click here for a 360 degree view from the summit of Sheffield Pike … https://youtu.be/qlbX1x2BzyY

 

 

Team shot on Sheffield Pike summit

 

 

This top really does have a wealth of fantastic views … here looking North up Ullswater

 

 

Jones is more bothered about who’s food he will end up with !!

 

 

Ullswater close up

 

 

Looking over to the Far Eastern fells … High Raise, Rampsgill Head, High Street, Caudale Moor and Middle Dodd as we follow the track towards Glenridding Dodd, which

initially aims towards Heron Pike

 

 

So Glenridding Dodd is pictured in the centre, however there is the small matter of negotiating safely down off Heron Pike. If you get to this marker post, then you have come

too far along the path as after that it is almost a sheer vertical drop. So from this point back up a little and take a very faint grassy path to the right of shot that leads to the Eastern

slope of the Pike.This is still a tad precarious and care is needed to get onto a better path below

 

 

After some steep sided scrambling on grass, we eventually reach a better foot path that can be seen meandering down the rake

 

 

This probably gives a good idea of the steep sidedness of the track – it is however pretty good once the upper reaches have been negotiated

 

 

Yes Wiff …. That’s just what you have come down !!!

 

 

Looking down to Glenridding Dodd. The white stone track seen leading down left toward Glencoyne Wood will be not only our route to the summit but also the way back down

to the roadside

 

 

Looking East towards over the ridge of Birkhouse Moor over towards St Sunday Crag

 

 

Looking south towards Whiteside, Helvellyn Lesser man and Catstye Cam

 

 

Nearly down now from the decent of Heron Pike and a break in the boundary wall gives access to the approach path to Glenridding Dodd

 

 

The way to the summit of Glenridding Dodd is to aim for the start of the stone track just slightly right of centre in this shot

 

 

Approaching the summit of Glenridding Dodd

 

 

The summit of Glenridding Dodd

 

Click here for a 360 degree view from the summit of Glenridding Dodd … https://youtu.be/LA2Rt2cOYw4

 

 

Looking back towards Heron Pike

 

 

The beauty that is Patterdale

 

 

Coming down off Glenridding Dodd we follow the path that swings round right and follows the line of Mosedale Beck

 

 

The path drops down gradually and the final part down to the A592 roadside journeys through the dense forest of Glencoyne Wood. Whilst the path is bona fide

prepare yourself for a few awkward twists and turns through fallen trees and quick thick foliage, nothing too serious

 

 

After a fab day out on the fells .. and what better way to end it by a post walk debrief in The Lily at Ambleside

 

 

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