A challenging 18.4 km fell walk in the Eastern Fells, taking in 5 Wainwrights including Great Dodd and Stybarrow Dodd and more. Starting from St Johns Church, the route climbs 1125 m. Allow around 5h 33m by Naismith's Rule.
The Eastern fells stretch from Kirkstone Pass to the Shap Fells, a quieter and wilder corner of the Lake District popular with those seeking solitude. Expect long grassy ridges, ancient drovers's roads, and expansive views towards the Pennines.
At 18.4 km with 1125 m of ascent, this route is rated Challenging. This is a demanding route requiring good navigational skills, a strong level of fitness, and full mountain kit. Start early and monitor the weather closely.
The route takes in 5 Wainwrights, covering 18.4 km from St Johns Church. Using Naismith's Rule, allow around 5h 33m of walking time, plus extra for rest stops, navigation, and photos. Fine-tune your estimate with the Naismith Calculator.
The walk starts at St Johns Church. Check parking availability before you go as popular Lake District car parks fill quickly on weekends. The Lake District National Park Authority website has up-to-date car park information.
Download the GPX file to your device before setting off. The map shows the route and Wainwright summit positions. In poor visibility, always use a physical OS map and compass. Do not rely solely on a phone GPS in mountain terrain.
Late spring through early autumn (May to October) gives the best conditions. Winter walking on the fells requires additional skills and daylight planning. Always check the Mountain Weather Information Service before heading out.
A serious day on the high fells. Kit choice matters — I wouldn't leave any of this behind on a route like this.
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