Kirkstone via Red Screes up Middle Dodd: route map, distance and time
654 m · Cumbria
Middle Dodd is a steep grassy spur on the north side of Red Screes, rising above Brothers Water and the Kirkstone Pass road.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Kirkstone Pass summit car park.
Kirkstone via Red Screes starts at about 455 m and gains 302 m over 2.0 km to 634 m on the track. It is steep from the start: the first kilometre climbs 298 m (30%). The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 1 km, which climbs 298 m at an average of 30%, with a 500 m stretch from 0.3 km at about 36%. The final kilometre eases to the top. About 35% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Kirkstone via Red Screes at a glance
| Distance | 2.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 330 m |
| Climb on the track | 302 m up, 126 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 455 m to 761 m (summit 654 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 36%, from 0.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 35% of the way |
| Time up | 0h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Kirkstone Pass summit car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 401 081 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 397 095 |
| Parking | Kirkstone Pass summit car park |
Kirkstone via Red Screes map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Download the Kirkstone via Red Screes 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.
Kirkstone via Red Screes 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 | 753 m | +298 m | 30% steep | NY 397 087 |
| 2 km | 634 m | -120 m | -12% | NY 397 095 |
How long Kirkstone via Red Screes takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 45m | 1h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 55m | 1h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 40m |
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 15:47 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 15:45 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Middle Dodd summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Middle Dodd right now. The main Middle Dodd page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Middle Dodd forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Middle Dodd
Middle Dodd is a steep grassy spur on the north side of Red Screes, rising above Brothers Water and the Kirkstone Pass road. More about Middle Dodd, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Red Screes (779 m), 0.8 km south
- Little Hart Crag (637 m), 1.1 km north-west
- High Hartsop Dodd (519 m), 1.3 km north
- Stony Cove Pike (764 m), 2.1 km east
- Dove Crag (792 m), 2.4 km west
- High Pike (657 m), 2.4 km west
Challenges that include Middle Dodd
More walks from Kirkstone Pass summit car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Kirkstone via St Raven's Edge walking paths up Hartsop Dodd
- Kirkstone Pass up Red Screes
- Kirkstone via St Raven's Edge walking paths up Stony Cove Pike
Other routes up Middle Dodd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brothers Water by the north ridge | 4.1 km one way | 500 m | 1h 40m | Hard |
| Cow Bridge via Caiston Glen and Scandale Pass | 6.6 km one way | 650 m | 2h 25m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 401 081, the summit at NY 397 095), 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.
Kirkstone via Red Screes: questions and answers
How far is Kirkstone via Red Screes?
Kirkstone via Red Screes is 2.0 km one way to the summit of Middle Dodd, with 330 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 4.0 km.
How long does Kirkstone via Red Screes take?
About 0h 55m to the summit of Middle Dodd and 1h 20m 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 40m for the round trip.
How steep is Kirkstone via Red Screes?
The steepest 500 m averages about 36%, starting 0.3 km from the start, and 35% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Kirkstone via Red Screes climbs 302 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Kirkstone via Red Screes?
Kirkstone via Red Screes starts from Kirkstone Pass summit car park. The grid reference is NY 401 081. Kirkstone Pass summit car park
Is Kirkstone via Red Screes 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.
What time should I start Kirkstone via Red Screes today?
By 15:47 at the latest. Sunset on Middle Dodd today is 18:07, Kirkstone via Red Screes takes about 1h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Kirkstone via Red Screes?
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.