April
8:00 start with 17:30 return
10.5 miles / 17 km with 2930 ft / 893 m Total Ascent
According to Wikipedia “Dodd" refers to a hill or mountain, particularly in the context of the Lake District in England, where it is often used to describe rounded hills. The term is derived from the Old Norse word "fjall," meaning "hill." Today we leave the coach at Thornythwaite, passing by Lucy’s Wood and crossing Matterdale Common to ascend Randerside, a 690m non-Wainwright. From there it’s a short hop up to a triple of Dodds - Great, Watson’s and Styborrow - all Wainwrights. Descending across Sticks Pass we climb Raise, another Wainwright and then on to the cairn at Whiteside Bank, also a Wainwright. Turning back we descend across Glenridding Common and down into Glenridding itself. Depending on time, energy and weather, an option to continue to Helvellyn and descend via Swirral Edge adds 0.6 miles and a further 135 m of ascent..
10.6 miles / 17 km with 2400 ft / 730 m Total Ascent
From Glenridding we walk down the road to join a track which takes us uphill to the top of Boredale Hause. From here it's up onto Place Fell. Now we drop down steeply to the track which follows Ullswater back to make our return back into Glenridding.
8.5 miles / 13.7 km with 1530 ft / 466 m Total Ascent
Starting from Glenridding we walk to Patterdale and go via Goldrill Bridge along the valley floor until we are opposite Dubhow Crag. From here we turn northwards and start our climbing up the well-graded track to Boardale Hause. As we climb, the head of Ullswater and the Helvellyn Fells come into view. From the Hause we do not take the direct route to Angle Tarn but the track over towards Bannerdale. On reaching the ridge we turn and go around the head of Bannerdale, our highest point today. We then descend to Angle Tarn before making our way back to Boardale Hause and Side Farm Then it's the last mile or so to the coach at Glenridding.
6 miles / 9.7 km with 500 ft / 150 m Total Ascent
The last time I led this walk it was a scorching day ( 25 June 23 ) so hopefully as it’s April it will be much cooler. From the coach park we walk along the valley following Glenridding Beck until we reach Eagle Farm. Then the climb on a stone pitched path begins, and we will stop occasionally to look around at the wonderful views and get our breath back. As we reach the top it may be good to have lunch here. We now descend through the woodland to Lanty’s Tarn. Passing by the tarn we continue downhill to cross Grizedale Beck and across fields and more woodland to reach Patterdale (toilets) We cross Goldrill Bridge and go along the pavement to Glenridding and refreshments.