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Caudale Moor, Stony Cove Pike & Hartsop Dodd from Hartsop

Caudale Moor, Stony Cove Pike & Hartsop Dodd from Hartsop

Start/Finish

Hartsop Village which is up a minor road to the east of Brothers Water which itself is on the A592 at the bottom of Kirkstone Pass (may be impassable in winter conditions). Drive through the village to reach a rough car park where there is limited parking. If there is no space, it may be necessary to park at the NW corner of Brothers Water as there is no other parking in Hartsop.

Distance/Time

9 km     About 4 - 5 hours

Peaks

Caudale Moor, c 750 m, NY 414 101.

Stony Cove Pike, 763 m, NY 418 100.

Hartsop Dodd, 618 m, NY 411 118.      OS 1: 50 000 , sheet 90.

OS 1: 25 000 Outdoor Leisure 5, English Lake District NE Area.

Introduction

This is a lovely walk. There are good and very distinctive paths most of the way. On a clear day, the views are excellent especially to nearby fells such as High Street, Place Fell, Froswick and Ill Bell. Across the Kirkstone Pass road, one can usually enjoy excellent views of Hartsop Above How, Red Screes, Dove Crag, Hart Crag, Fairfield, St. Sunday Crag, Dollywaggon Pike, Nethermost Pike, Helvellyn & Catstye Cam. On a very clear day, one can see the Coniston Fells, Crinkle Crags, Bowfell, Scafell, Scafell Pike, Great Gable, Skiddaw & Blencathra plus many more. It is even possible to see Whernside and Ingleborough. The length of this walk is ideal for a short winter's day but the ascent and descent are both quite steep so, under winter conditions would only be for those with the appropriate experience.

Route

(1) From the car park at the end of Hartsop village, walk back along the road until there is a wide recess on the left with a signpost for the footpath to Brothers Water. Follow the path, soon over a bridge, then easily to join the Kirkstone Pass road. Almost opposite is another path which avoids walking on the road and can be followed along the side of Brothers Water to Sykeside Camp Site. Follow the tarmac track to come out in the Brothers Water car park. Cross the road and take a path which shadows the road towards Kirkstone Pass. Cross a minor beck on a single slate bridge bridge then look for a grassy path ascending before Caudale Beck is reached. This leads up to the beck which is usually crossed without difficulty. If it is swollen, stay low and cross it by Caudale Bridge then walk up the other side of the beck. Continue up. The main path goes behind the crest but there is no reason why the crest itself cannot be followed as it is often less icy in winter and also avoids the old quarry workings. Continue up, steep in places. When the angle eases, various cairns are passed before a medium cairn is reached which marks the summit of Caudale Head, c 750 m. This is also known as John Bell's Banner and lies about 150 m SW of a moorland tarn and about the same distance due N of the nearest point on a stone wall.

(2) Walk S to the wall then follow it, on a good but sometimes boggy path, E, to another wall. Turn left, N, and soon reach, on the right of the wall, a medium cairn which marks the summit of Stony Cove Pike, 763 m.

(3) Follow the wall N. There is a reasonable path on its left. This leads gently down to a long grassy col then gently ascends to reach a medium cairn which seems to mark the summit of Hartsop Dodd, 618 m. although an isolated old fence post on the wall appears to be the highest point.

(4) Descend slightly W of N, on an obvious path, which goes down the nose of Hartsop Dodd. This is quite steep in places and is only for the experienced under winter conditions. The ridge leads to a cross wall which can be followed down, N, to the bridge over Hayeswater Gill. Cross over. Turn left on the track and go through a gate to the car park.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 6th December, 2013.

(b) If starting at the Brothers Water car park, walk along the road to the Hartsop turning then walk on the left of the road (pavement) to where the footpath from Hartsop village comes out almost opposite the path along the side of Brothers Water. At the end of the walk, go through Hartsop village car park and continue to the main road and then to the Brothers Water car park.

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