Eastern Fells · Book 1

Middle Dodd

Middle Dodd is a Wainwright, one of the 214 Lake District fells in Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guides. At 654 m (2,146 ft) it is the joint 111th highest of the 214 and the 22nd highest in the Eastern Fells.

Height: 654 m; 2,146 ft
Rank: =111; of 214
In area: 22; of 35
Difficulty: Moderate

Middle Dodd in the Eastern Fells of the Lake District — Photo: Shanesykes via Wikimedia Commons

About Middle Dodd

A steep northern outpost of Red Screes, standing above Kirkstone Pass and the fields around Brothers Water. The climb up its nose is short and unrelenting, with wide views back down the valley to Patterdale.

Three Dodds line up above the fields of the Hartsop valley, and this is the middle one. The name describes where it stands, not how high it is. On the map it is simply the north ridge of Red Screes, but from below it rises as a separate peak, which is how it got onto the list.

Walkers usually park at Cow Bridge, at the head of Brothers Water, and follow the path along the western shore of the lake. Beyond Hartsop Hall, fields lead to the foot of the nose. From there it is one long, steep pull of about 1,400 feet, all grass and no difficulty beyond the gradient. Stay on the nose and the line takes care of itself. Stop now and then to look back down to Brothers Water and Patterdale.

Other ways up are rougher. You can climb pathless slopes from Red Pit on the Kirkstone road, or contour round from Scandale Pass.

A small cairn marks the top, beside a trench nobody has explained. Red Screes blocks part of the view, but the Scafells show on a clear day. The usual loop carries on up the ridge to the trig point on Red Screes, drops to Scandale Pass and comes down Caiston Glen past small waterfalls, about 12 km in all.

Prospectors tried the fell twice. There is a 120 foot copper level on its eastern flank, and a lead trial in Caiston Glen that came to nothing.

In winter

The nose above Caiston Glen is about 1,400 feet of steady, steep grass, which is a poor place to be coming down on frost or hard snow. Climb it, carry on to Red Screes, and use Scandale Pass and Caiston Glen for the descent.

Great Views
Dog Friendly

Sources: Wikipedia: Middle Dodd, Andrew's Walks: Middle Dodd and Red Screes. Updated 24 September 2026.

Summit

OS grid ref: NY 397 095
Latitude: 54.47793° N
Longitude: 2.93155° W
Area: Eastern Fells

Walking up Middle Dodd

The nearest car park on foot is Kirkstone Pass, 2.0 km (1.3 miles) from the summit along mapped paths. Directions to the car park

Route from Kirkstone Pass

Distance: 2.0 km; 1.3 miles, one way
Ascent: 342 m; Total climb to the summit
Time up: 57 min; Allow 1 to 2 hours

Height in metres along the path from Kirkstone Pass to the summit.

Times use Naismith’s rule, 5 km/h on the flat plus extra time for the climb, with Langmuir’s corrections. It’s a rule of thumb for the way up only, so add stops, weather and the walk back down.

The route follows paths mapped by OpenStreetMap contributors and isn’t a guided line. This car park was picked automatically and hasn’t been checked by hand yet, so compare it with a map. Check the mountain forecast before you go and carry a map and compass.

Middle Dodd questions

Is Middle Dodd a Wainwright?

Yes. Middle Dodd is one of the 214 fells Alfred Wainwright described in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, in Book 1, The Eastern Fells.

How high is Middle Dodd?

Middle Dodd is 654 metres (2,146 feet) high. That makes it the joint 111th highest of the 214 Wainwrights and the 22nd highest in the Eastern Fells.

Where do you park for Middle Dodd?

The nearest car park on foot is Kirkstone Pass, 2.0 km (1.3 miles) from the summit along mapped paths.

How long does it take to climb Middle Dodd?

From Kirkstone Pass it is 2.0 km with 342 m of ascent. Naismith's rule, with Langmuir's corrections, puts the climb at about 57 min, so allow 1 to 2 hours to reach the summit at your own pace, plus the walk back down.

How hard is Middle Dodd?

Upfell rates Middle Dodd as moderate. Check the mountain weather forecast before you set out and carry a map and compass.

Which Wainwrights are near Middle Dodd?

The closest are Red Screes (776 m, 0.8 km S), Little Hart Crag (637 m, 1.1 km NW) and High Hartsop Dodd (519 m, 1.3 km N).

What is the grid reference for the summit of Middle Dodd?

The summit is at OS grid reference NY 397 095, or 54.47793, -2.93155 in latitude and longitude.