Legburthwaite 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.
Climb Sticks Pass from Thirlmere and turn north along the grassy ridge over Stybarrow Dodd to Great Dodd.
Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass at a glance
| Distance | 5.8 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 761 m |
| Time up | 2h 25m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 35m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Legburthwaite car park, Thirlmere |
| Start grid reference | NY 318 193 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 342 205 |
Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- King's Head Inn1.6 km
- Low Bridge End Farm Tea Garden1.1 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Thirlspot Farm Camping1.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 55m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 25m | 3h 35m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 0m | 4h 25m |
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.
- Today: sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07. Start by 13:32 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 13:30 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 35m for the walk and an hour for stops.
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 Legburthwaite 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 Legburthwaite car park, Thirlmere
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Legburthwaite and the ridge up High Rigg
- Stanah via Sticks Pass up Raise
- Stanah via Sticks Pass up Stybarrow Dodd
- Legburthwaite direct up Watson's Dodd
- Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass up Watson's Dodd
Other routes up Great Dodd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dockray | 6.0 km one way | 579 m | 2h 10m | Moderate |
| Glenridding via Sticks Pass | 8.2 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 318 193, 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.
Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass: questions and answers
How far is Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass?
Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass is 5.8 km one way to the summit of Great Dodd, with 761 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 11.6 km.
How long does Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass take?
About 2h 25m to the summit of Great Dodd and 3h 35m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 4h 25m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass?
Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass starts from Legburthwaite car park, Thirlmere. The grid reference is NY 318 193.
Is Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass today?
By 13:32 at the latest. Sunset on Great Dodd today is 18:07, Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass takes about 3h 35m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).