Administrative boundaries are often a fiddly distraction on OS maps, masquerading as footpaths and obscuring detail. But in this case a boundary forms the basis for a challenging round. Follow the hilly skyline of Patterdale parish and you'll clock up an impressive list of fells, not to mention sky high distance and ascent stats. From the rolling Dodds to the craggy coves of Helvellyn and Fairfield, Ullswater’s woods to High Street’s wide horizons, this classic circuit takes in the finest features of the eastern Lake District. The route is used every July as the basis for a gruelling one-day fundraising challenge, but it’s also great as a backpacking weekend. Wild camping spots abound, not to mention the handy mid-route option of the Priests Hole cave on Dove Crag (usually busy - a tent may prove preferable). As ever, the rules are up to you, but while it would be pedantic to stick rigidly to the exact boundary every step of the way, you should at least visit every summit.
Detailed description
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Difficulty: SevereDistance: 27.55 miles (44.34 km)
Total ascent: 3,114m
Time: 16 hours (Walking)
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Summits
White Stones 795 mStybarrow Dodd 843 m
Raise 883 m
Whiteside 863 m
Helvellyn - Lower Man 925 m
Helvellyn 950 m
Nethermost Pike 891 m
Dollywaggon Pike 858 m
Seat Sandal 736 m
Fairfield 873 m
Hart Crag 822 m
Dove Crag 792 m
Red Screes 776 m
Stony Cove Pike 763 m
Thornthwaite Crag 784 m
High Street 828 m
The Knott 739 m
Rest Dodd 696 m
Place Fell 657 m
St Raven's Edge 593 m
Additional Information
Start/Finish:Glenridding village centre, NY385170
Nearest town:
Penrith
Terrain:
Well-used trails most of the way, grassy in places, boggy in others and elsewhere quite stony underfoot. There’s some steep eroded ground on Fairfield, Seat Sandal, Stony Cove Pike and Thornthwaite Crag. If spending the night in the Priest’s Hole on Dove Crag: the cave is located halfway up a cliff and the access route is exposed. It could be dangerous in wet or icy conditions, or after dark.
Seasonal variations:
Would make a brilliant, if challenging, winter round.
Weather and Hill Conditions: mwis: Lake District – Met Office: Lake District
Public transport:
Bus from Penrith to Glenridding
Maps:
OS Explorer OL5 (1:25,000), OS Explorer OL7 (1:25,000), Harvey/BMC Lake District (1:40,000), OS Landranger 90 (1:50,000) Directory Listings:
Find more Listings near this route Tourist info:
Ullswater (017684 82414); Grasmere (015394 35245); Pooley Bridge (017684 86530)
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by Dan Bailey UKH
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