Legburthwaite direct up Watson's Dodd: route map, distance and time
789 m · Cumbria
Watson's Dodd is a grassy top on the Helvellyn Dodds ridge above Thirlmere, its summit cairn set a little west of the main ridge path.
Climb the steep grassy western flank from Legburthwaite to the summit cairn on the broad top.
Legburthwaite direct at a glance
| Distance | 4.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 686 m |
| Time up | 2h 0m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Legburthwaite car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 318 193 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 335 195 |
Legburthwaite direct 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 direct takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 25m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 35m |
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 14:12 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:10 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Watson's Dodd summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 20 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:46, sunset 18:07.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 35 mph gusting 44 mph, 67% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:48, sunset 18:05.
Best day of the next seven for Legburthwaite direct: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 20 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Watson's Dodd forecast
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 -5°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 Watson's Dodd
Watson's Dodd is a grassy top on the Helvellyn Dodds ridge above Thirlmere, its summit cairn set a little west of the main ridge path. More about Watson's Dodd, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Stybarrow Dodd (844 m), 1 km south-east
- Great Dodd (857 m), 1.2 km north-east
- Green Side (794 m), 1.9 km south-east
- Raise (883 m), 2.3 km south
- Hart Side (756 m), 2.3 km east
- White Side (863 m), 2.9 km south
Challenges that include Watson's Dodd
More walks from Legburthwaite car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass up Great Dodd
- Legburthwaite and the ridge up High Rigg
- Stanah via Sticks Pass up Raise
- Stanah via Sticks Pass up Stybarrow Dodd
Other routes up Watson's Dodd
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Legburthwaite via Sticks Pass | 4.9 km one way | 686 m | 2h 5m | Moderate |
| Glenridding via Sticks Pass | 7.3 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 335 195), 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 direct: questions and answers
How far is Legburthwaite direct?
Legburthwaite direct is 4.4 km one way to the summit of Watson's Dodd, with 686 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.8 km.
How long does Legburthwaite direct take?
About 2h 0m to the summit of Watson's Dodd and 2h 55m 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 3h 35m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Legburthwaite direct?
Legburthwaite direct starts from Legburthwaite car park. The grid reference is NY 318 193.
Is Legburthwaite direct 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 direct today?
By 14:12 at the latest. Sunset on Watson's Dodd today is 18:07, Legburthwaite direct takes about 2h 55m 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 direct?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).