This Lakeland walk includes two Wainwrights and although the distance walked is relatively short there is a steady steep climb up to the col between Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike. The views are excellent throughout and route finding is generally good with clear paths for most of the route. Choose a fine day to enjoy the views across Ullswater and to the Helvellyn ridge.
Calculated time: 3h25[?] 
Distance : 4.65mi
Vertical gain : 1713ft
Vertical drop : 1706ft
Highest point : 2169ft
Lowest point : 518ft 
Difficulty : Difficult
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Lake District 
Location : Patterdale
Starting point : N 54.54415° / W 2.95101° (D/A) The start is the large pay and display car park in the centre of Glenridding (grid ref. NY386169) on the western side of the main A592 through the village. Exit the car park and follow Greenside Road through the village in a westerly direction. On busy days you will be joining a throng of walkers heading for Helvellyn via Striding Edge. At the end of the village Greenside Road bends right and then left before heading up the valley on the northern side of Glenridding Beck.
(1) Where the road bends left, take the footpath on the right to cross a footbridge and start the steep ascent up to the col between Glenridding Dodd and Sheffield Pike where you will reach a gate in a cross wall. Bear right before the wall and continue to the summit of Glenridding Dodd. Do allow time to enjoy the views particularly over Ullswater. In the other direction the panorama includes a number of the higher fells including St Sunday Crag and Helvellyn.
(2) To continue the walk retrace your steps down to the wall to take the onward path up Sheffield Pike's south-east ridge to Heron Pike and an iron post marked on OS maps of the area. The path then trends north for a short way before continuing in a westerly direction to the summit of the fell. The path is generally well walked. There are a couple of areas of boggy ground which can generally be avoided quite easily. The summit is not the most inspiring and the best views are probably enjoyed from Heron Pike.
(3) From the summit walk west and descend to Nick Head (grid ref NY362182) to briefly join the path coming up from Glencoyne and heading across to Stick's Pass. Almost immediately after joining this path take the clear path on your left that descends in a south-westerly direction to join a much wider path coming down from Stick's Pass.
(4) Turn left onto this path and descend via a series of zigzags into the valley. Do not cross Glenridding Beck instead use Greenside Road to return to the start(D/A).
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. mi 0 - Car park in the centre of Glenridding
1 : mi 0.34 - alt. mi 0.34 - Take the footpath on the right
2 : mi 0.86 - alt. mi 0.86 - Summit of Glenridding Dodd
3 : mi 1.8 - alt. mi 1.8 - Sheffield Pike
4 : mi 2.48 - alt. mi 2.48 - Turn left
D/A : mi 4.65 - alt. mi 4.65
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Two 'Wainwrights' located to the north-west of Glenridding form the basis of this walk. The first, Glenridding Dodd, was a particular favourite of Victorians venturing into the hills to enjoy the prospect over the southern end of Ullswater and the surrounding hills. The second summit, Sheffield Pike, has less to offer scenically although there are still some views of Lakeland Fells. In periods of poor visibility it should be remembered that Sheffield Pike in particular is flanked to the north and south by extensive steep crags so care should be exercised when navigating this hill.
Global average : 4/5
Number of opinions : 1
Description quality : 4/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 4/5
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 12/11/16
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
It was really very difficult to find the beginning of this walk. We could not find a "footbridge on the right " as the lane turned left. Perhaps the landscape has changed at that point. We walked beyond the two sets of cottages then up a steep bank to find the path ( ducking under linen lines). From that point the way was generally along a clearly well worn path. As the writer indicated the walk off the top is across some boggy ground and the path is not always clear for a few hundred yards. Make sure you have a compass to go west in mist!
9.85mi
+2943ft
-2923ft
6h40
Difficult
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11.05mi
+3054ft
-3038ft
7h20
Difficult
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9.38mi
+2992ft
-2986ft
6h30
Average
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9.17mi
+3127ft
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6h30
Average
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7.75mi
+2106ft
-2103ft
5h05
Average
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6.43mi
+1831ft
-1808ft
4h15
Average
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6.92mi
+2844ft
-2848ft
5h15
Average
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5.38mi
+633ft
-630ft
2h55
Easy
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