Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Great Dodd: route map, distance and time
857 m · Cumbria
Great Dodd is the highest of the northern Helvellyn Dodds, a rounded grassy dome reached from Dockray or Legburthwaite on easy, open slopes.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Glenridding main car park.
Glenridding via Sticks Pass starts at about 156 m and gains 882 m over 8.1 km to 846 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 180 m (18%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 2 km, which climbs 266 m at an average of 27%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.7 km at about 36%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top. About 20% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Glenridding via Sticks Pass at a glance
| Distance | 8.2 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 882 m up, 188 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 156 m to 850 m (summit 857 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 36%, from 0.7 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 20% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Glenridding main car park, CA11 0PD |
| Start grid reference | NY 386 169 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 342 205 |
| Parking | Glenridding main car park; the postcode is approximate |
Glenridding via Sticks Pass map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Travellers Rest0.3 km
- Patterdale Hotel1.4 km
- White Lion Inn1.5 km
- Fairlight Cafe & Restaurant0.0 km
- Fellbites0.0 km
- Helvellyn Country Kitchen0.1 km
- Public toilets0.0 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Public toilets0.6 km
- Gillside Camping0.5 km
- Side Farm Campsite1.0 km
- Patterdale Youth Hostel camp site1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Glenridding via Sticks Pass GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Glenridding via Sticks Pass kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 336 m | +180 m | 18% | NY 379 173 |
| 2 km | 602 m | +266 m | 27% steep | NY 372 177 |
| 3 km | 618 m | +16 m | 2% | NY 365 181 |
| 4 km | 559 m | -59 m | -6% | NY 356 183 |
| 5 km | 665 m | +106 m | 11% | NY 346 181 |
| 6 km | 826 m | +162 m | 16% | NY 342 187 |
| 7 km | 769 m | -58 m | -6% | NY 338 195 |
| 8 km | 848 m | +80 m | 8% | NY 342 204 |
| 8.1 km | 846 m | -3 m | -2% | NY 341 205 |
How long Glenridding via Sticks Pass takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 3h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 50m | 5h 50m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
Great Dodd summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, up to 5°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -6°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 25 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 36 mph gusting 45 mph, 59% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Glenridding via Sticks Pass: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 25 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Great Dodd forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Great Dodd?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -6°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Great Dodd
Great Dodd is the highest of the northern Helvellyn Dodds, a rounded grassy dome reached from Dockray or Legburthwaite on easy, open slopes. More about Great Dodd, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, HuMP, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Watsons Dodd (789 m), 1.2 km south-west
- Watson's Dodd (789 m), 1.2 km south-west
- Stybarrow Dodd (844 m), 1.6 km south
- Hart Side (756 m), 1.9 km south-east
- Green Side (794 m), 2.1 km south-east
- Clough Head (726 m), 2.2 km north-west
Challenges that include Great Dodd
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Bob Graham Round · 42
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Wainwrights · 214
More walks from Glenridding main car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Glenridding via Mires Beck up Birkhouse Moor
- Patterdale walking approach via Birks up Birks
- Glenridding eastern fell walking paths up Catstye Cam
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Clough Head
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Dollywaggon Pike
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Fairfield
- Glenridding via the Sheffield Pike col up Glenridding Dodd
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Hart Side
- Glenridding via White Side and Keppel Cove walking paths up Helvellyn
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Helvellyn
- Glenridding via Sticks Pass up Raise
- Glenridding via Grisedale valley and Grisedale Hause up Seat Sandal
Other routes up Great Dodd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dockray | 6.0 km one way | 579 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
| Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass | 5.8 km one way | 761 m | 2h 25m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 386 169, the summit at NY 342 205), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Glenridding via Sticks Pass: questions and answers
How far is Glenridding via Sticks Pass?
Glenridding via Sticks Pass is 8.2 km one way to the summit of Great Dodd. There and back by the same way is about 16.4 km.
How steep is Glenridding via Sticks Pass?
The steepest 500 m averages about 36%, starting 0.7 km from the start, and 20% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Glenridding via Sticks Pass climbs 882 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Glenridding via Sticks Pass?
Glenridding via Sticks Pass starts from Glenridding main car park (postcode CA11 0PD). The grid reference is NY 386 169. Glenridding main car park; the postcode is approximate
Is Glenridding via Sticks Pass suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Dockray.
Is there a GPX for Glenridding via Sticks Pass?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.