High Hartsop Dodd

High Hartsop Dodd is a fell in the English Lake District, part of the Fairfield group in the Eastern Fells. It rises above Kirkstone Pass on the road between Ullswater and Ambleside. The fell is actually the north-eastern ridge of Little Hart Crag, treated as a separate fell by Alfred Wainwright in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. Wainwright called it “a very shapely pyramid rising from the green fields.” From Hartsop three fells appear as Dodds, named for their position in the valley rather than their height. All three show a striking pyramidal shape when seen from below. The fell’s summit sits on a narrow ridge that descends from Little Hart Crag. The ground is wet with patches of peat and sedge, and after half a mile the ridge rises slightly to the barely noticeable summit. Beyond this the slope falls steeply to the valley floor. To the east lies Caiston Glen, a narrow defile that separates High Hartsop Dodd from Middle Dodd and Red Screes. On the west side Hogget Gill runs down to Dovedale, a picturesque stream that feeds Kirkstone Beck and Brothers Water. The summit holds a small cairn where the ridge briefly levels out. The view is limited by surrounding fells, but Dove Crag and other peaks stand out in close detail. High Hartsop Dodd is usually climbed as part of a longer walk rather than on its own. The only practical route follows the grassy, steep nose of the fell from Kirkstonefoot or Cow Bridge. From here walkers can continue along fine high-level ridges through Caiston Glen or Dovedale.