Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
Dodd sits in front of the Skiddaw masiff by the side of Bassenthwaite Lake and is
a charming little climb with great views from the top. Work being undertaken by the
Forestry Commission is ongoing which might mean that the route description I set
out in this blog may change
Take the A591 North from Keswick and then a minor road off to the right for Millbeck.
Just before Lyzzic Hall Hotel a roadside layby has enough parking space
for about three or four cars
At the bottom end of the layby the narrowest of paths, signposted, cuts through an area
of dense foliage. This is the start point for the walk
Almost immediately the path crosses a stream and leads on towards a gate that
gives access to the open Fell side
The path cuts a swathe through an area of dense bracken
The path climbs steeply in parts above the tree line allowing views back
towards Derwent Water
Higher on up and the path runs close to a wire fence that separates it from a dense
area of woodland. It is at this point you need to keep a lookout for a stile
Cross the stile into the woodland
Immediately over the stile turn left where you will pick up the path again. At this point
the woodland has undergone a wide area of tree felling, so original paths may no longer
be usable. However by persisting with the path you will be led across to a much clearer
track which is then followed
The path improves the other side of the clearing
Follow this up towards the start of one of many Forest trails
The start of the Forest trail
Trouble free navigation from here onwards
The track does a hairpin bend as it climbs higher
Just above the treeline and a sneaky peak over to Barf and the "Bishop of Barf"
Looking back towards Derwent Water
The track makes another hairpin turn to the left where the summit trail is picked up
Just at the top of this section of the trail a memorial bench provides
and ideal viewing point
The first sight of Dodd summit to the left of the tree in the centre of the shot
Keep on the track as it drops down through an area of woodland until
you reach a signpost
The self explanatory signpost
The path narrrows and becomes stony as it leads to the summit
Looking towards Skiddaw from the track
The summit approach
Derwent Water from the summit of Dodd. Click here for a 360 degree view
Do you want to go higher up then Sue?
A perfect spot for lunch
Looking over Latrigg to the Helvellyn range
Bassenthwaite Lake
The North Western Fells
On the way back down and a stop off at the Memorial bench
