Over Clough Head to Great Dodd

Maps:    OS Outdoor Leisure 5
            Landranger 90 Penrith & Keswick
Length: 8 Miles Approx.
Ascent: 3000 ft Approx.
Time:     4.5 - 5.5 Hours Approx.
Start:    Map Ref: NY316231 Wanthwaite
Date:    April 1999

This walk comes recommended to me as a good winter walk for experienced walkers who have not yet tackled a walk in winter conditions.  On the day crampons were not used or required. All the gradients on the red route are gentle with no exposure. The alternative blue route is for walkers with more experience in winter conditions. Navigation can be difficult in mist

  Walk along the lane, this is the Old Coach Road, pass the old Quarries to your right and continue around Threlkeld Knotts. At Hause Well (spring)  a vague path heads up just to the right of White Pike. The summit of Clough Head is marked with a cairn and a small shelter. (note: leaving Clough Head can be dangerous in mist)
  From the summit of Clough Head, head SSW to an outcrop of rock known as Calfhow Pike. The path now continues up the grassy flank of Little Dodd and then onto the summit of Great Dodd.
  A path now heads down the shoulder to another stony outcrop, Randerside, just before Wolf Crags head to the left towards Mariel Bridge were it crosses Mosedale Beck. From here its a rough stony walk back along the Old Coach Road to the Start.

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.  

THE PHOTOGRAPHS

BY PETER COX

The Summit of Clough Head
The clouds are just begining to lift, in the middle distance Derwentwater can be seen and to the right, the outskirts of Keswick.

Clough Head from Calfhow Pike
Looking back up to Clough Head the footprints indicating the route taken can clearly be seen. The clouds continue to lift and the sun comes out.

Looking Towards Watson's Dodd
Dark clouds still hang heavy over Helvellyn.

The Dodds Group
The Dodds Groups, from left to right Threlkeld Knotts, Clough Head, Calfhow Pike, Great Dodd and Watson's Dodd.

Icicles near Wolf Crags

Authors Disclaimer
Although the author encountered no difficulty on the above walk, it should be noted that the Lakeland Fells can be a dangerous place. It is assumed that anyone who tackles this walk is suitably equiped with survival and navigation equipment and is familiar with their use.

All photographic copyrights belong to the photographers.
Photographs may not be used without their permission.

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