Hartsop north ridge up Hartsop Dodd: route map, distance and time
619 m · Cumbria
Hartsop Dodd is a 619 m steep-sided fell above Hartsop and Brothers Water, the northern end of the ridge from Stony Cove Pike.
Climb the steep grassy north ridge from Hartsop to the summit.
The Hartsop north ridge starts at about 184 m and gains 420 m over 1.3 km to 604 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 346 m (35%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 346 m at an average of 35%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.4 km at about 45%. It keeps climbing at 25% to the top. About 83% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Hartsop north ridge at a glance
| Distance | 1.3 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 440 m |
| Climb on the track | 420 m up, 0 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 181 m to 604 m (summit 619 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 45%, from 0.4 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 83% of the way |
| Time up | 1h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Hartsop village car park, CA11 0NZ |
| Start grid reference | NY 410 129 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 411 118 |
| Parking | Hartsop village car park |
Hartsop north ridge 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
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Hartsop north ridge 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.
Hartsop north ridge 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 | 530 m | +346 m | 35% steep | NY 410 121 |
| 1.3 km | 604 m | +74 m | 25% steep | NY 411 118 |
How long the Hartsop north ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 50m | 1h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 0m | 1h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 30m |
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 07:48, sunset 18:04. Start by 15:49 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:50, sunset 18:02. Start by 15:47 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Hartsop Dodd summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Hartsop Dodd right now. The main Hartsop Dodd page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Hartsop Dodd forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Hartsop Dodd
Hartsop Dodd is a 619 m steep-sided fell above Hartsop and Brothers Water, the northern end of the ridge from Stony Cove Pike. More about Hartsop Dodd, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Gray Crag (698 m), 1.6 km east
- Brock Crags (561 m), 1.9 km north
- Stony Cove Pike (764 m), 2 km south
- High Hartsop Dodd (519 m), 2.1 km south-west
- Thornthwaite Crag (784 m), 2.7 km south-east
- The Knott (739 m), 2.7 km east
Challenges that include Hartsop Dodd
More walks from Hartsop village car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Hartsop towards Angle Tarn up Brock Crags
- Hartsop by the north ridge up Gray Crag
- Hartsop via Hayeswater and The Knott up High Raise
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up High Street
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up Kidsty Pike
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up Mardale Ill Bell
- Hartsop via Hayeswater and The Knott up Rampsgill Head
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up Rest Dodd
- Hartsop via Threshthwaite Mouth up Stony Cove Pike
- Hartsop via Gray Crag and Thornthwaite up Stony Cove Pike
- Hartsop via Hayeswater up The Knott
- Hartsop via Threshthwaite Mouth up Thornthwaite Crag
Other routes up Hartsop Dodd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirkstone via St Raven's Edge walking paths | 5.3 km one way | 370 m | 1h 40m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 410 129, the summit at NY 411 118), 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.
Hartsop north ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Hartsop north ridge?
The Hartsop north ridge is 1.3 km one way to the summit of Hartsop Dodd, with 440 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 2.6 km.
How long does the Hartsop north ridge take?
About 1h 0m to the summit of Hartsop Dodd and 1h 15m 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 1h 30m for the round trip.
How steep is the Hartsop north ridge?
The steepest 500 m averages about 45%, starting 0.4 km from the start, and 83% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. The Hartsop north ridge climbs 420 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for the Hartsop north ridge?
The Hartsop north ridge starts from Hartsop village car park (postcode CA11 0NZ). The grid reference is NY 410 129. Hartsop village car park
Is the Hartsop north ridge 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 the Hartsop north ridge today?
By 15:49 at the latest. Sunset on Hartsop Dodd today is 18:04, The Hartsop north ridge takes about 1h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Hartsop north ridge?
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.