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Standing Crag & Dock Tarn from Watendlath

Lake District Walk

Nat Park - Lake District - Lake District Central Fells

County/Area - Cumbria

Author - Mike Bexley

Length - 7.0 miles / 11.4 km    Ascent - 1600 feet / 485 metres

Time - 5 hours 10 minutes    Grade - moderate

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL4Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL4Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 90Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 90Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Standing Crag & Dock Tarn from Watendlath
Click image to see photo description.

This Lake District walk from Watendlath includes some of the open fell that forms the backbone of the Lake District. It offers good views although it can be wet underfoot especially after heavy rain and should not be attempted without good boots, waterproof clothing, map and compass.

The walk starts from the lovely, peaceful National Trust Hamlet of Watendlath (grid ref NY276163) situated at the end of a single track lane, off the B5289 Keswick to Borrowdale road. At first proceed in an easterly direction from the car park climbing part way up the hill. take the first path on the right, keeping to the left hand side of the wall. The footpath begins well but can be extremely wet by the time you reach the remote Blea Tarn (grid ref 290143). Meaning 'Blue Tarn' this sizeable stretch of water is flanked to the south-west by the cliffs of Low Saddle.

Follow the wet footpath to the left of the tarn crossing the stile at the boundary fence. Turn right to follow the path that climbs steeply through a gully to the left of the imposing Standing Crag. This path (not indicated on all maps) swings right, after the gully near the top, to meet the boundary fence behind Standing Crag.

Pick up and follow the well-worn path with the fence on you right until you reach the corner of the fence - the fence turns sharp right here. To continue cross over the stile on you right to walk to High Saddle then pick your way along the feint paths over Coldbarrow Fell to Lord's How (grid ref 283139).

It is good idea on this long approach across the heather clad fell to take a compass bearing of Dock Tarn if visible. Go to the far left side of Dock Tarn where you will pick up the path that has come up from Stonethwaite . Continue on this path, which drops down to Watendlath Tarn. Then it is over the pack horse bridge to your start.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1693 Grange & Watendlath from Rosthwaiteeasy/mod7.6 miles
Walk 1444 Great Gable (Borrowdale route)hard12.0 miles
Walk 1268 Cat Bells & High Spy from Grangemoderate8.0 miles
Walk 3328 Eagle Crag & Seargeant's Crag from Stonethwaitemoderate7.0 miles
Walk 3133 Ullscarf and Watendlath from Stonethwaitemod/hard10.0 miles
Walk 3132 High Tove & Blea Tarnmoderate7.6 miles
Walk 1108 Ashness Bridge & Grange Fellmoderate9.0 miles
Walk 1175 Combe Gill circuit from Seatollermoderate5.5 miles
Walk 1247 Helvellyn & Raise from Swirlsmod/hard7.0 miles
Walk 2025 Helvellyn & Wythburn from Swirlsmod/hard8.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

Walking the Lake District Fells - Buttermere

Walking the Lake District Fells - ButtermerePart of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 32 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from the Buttermere, Lorton and Newlands valleys, with highlights including Haystacks, High Stile, Grasmoor and the fells of the Coledale Round. Suggestions for longer ridge routes are also included.
More information

Walking the Lake District Fells - Patterdale

Walking the Lake District Fells - PatterdalePart of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 35 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from Ambleside, Grasmere and Patterdale and the Thirlmere and Ullswater valleys, with highlights including Helvellyn and Fairfield. Suggestions for longer ridge routes are also included.
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