Route distance 11.3 km
Total ascent 894 m
It was Belinda’s birthday weekend and i decided to treat her to a weekend in the Lakes (where else ). We were to go early Friday morning, do a walk and then go to our Hotel in Ambleside after and just chill out for a couple of days. I was looking for a walk that wasn’t too far from our digs and eventually settled for Dove crag as i was interested in seeing the Priest hole. Friday came and off we went, and eventually arrived at our start point of Cow bridge near Hartsop.
Tooling up at Cow bridge
It took a few minutes to get ready and after issuing Belinda with the map and working out where we needed to go, we were off.
Belinda and her map in front of High Hartsop Dodd
The start of the walk was very gentle as we followed the path from the bridge to Hartsop Hall.
High Hartsop Dodd
Looking over to Brothers water to Brock Crags
Once we reached Hartsop hall, we left the path, crossed the stream and walked across a couple of fields that led us to the foot of High Hartsop Dodd.
Belinda in front of one of the giant erratics
There were lots of huge boulders here that have been left over from the ice age, as well as a dead lamb that had been picked clean by the local wildlife.
Slightly unnerving
Not knowing how big the local meat eating wildlife was, meant we didn’t hang around too long and soon came to Caiston beck which we would follow and the climbing would begin.
The famous Kirkstone pass
Once we reached Caiston beck we turned right and followed the stream that flowed between High Hartsop Dodd and Middle Dodd.
Belinda having a rest with Brothers water in the background
Me and my new toy.
Some waterfalls on Caiston beck
Belinda lagging behind
It took about half an hour to reach Scandale pass at the top and we stopped for more food while taking shelter from the wind behind the wall at the top.
Taking a break with Little Hart crag in the background
Little Hart crag
Our route from here would take us passesd Little hart crag, although not over it and follow the fence that would lead us towards Dove Crag.
Looking down on Brothers Waters from the path to Dove crag
Yet another rest stop
The final climb giving us some great views
We finally reached the top of the final climb and the views all round were fantastic.
Me posing with Windermere in the background
Dove crag summit 792 m.
After reaching the top it was time to don the hat and gloves as the wind had got up and it was a lot colder than it had been. We made the decision to miss out Hart Crag and instead head down and see if we could find the priests hole in the rocks below the summit.
Its around here somewhere
Heading down, we never found the track to the Priests hole (if there is one), and after climbing on the crags for what seemed an age, we were about to give up when we stumbled upon what looked like a track that would surely take us too it.
The priests hole
What a fantastic place it turned out to be. We had some more food and took the obligatory photos from inside the cave.
View from inside the cave. I would love to camp here one day
Me posing again, the route down just over my right shoulder
Big mouth
Looking back at the Priests hole
Dove crags in the background
From here we could descend into Dovedale or cut across to Hartsop above How and finish with a nice ridge walk.
Looking down into Dovedale
Hartsop above How
The path showing the wear and tear of thousands of walkers
The walk along the ridge was fanastic gave us great views on either side.
Belinda with Brothers water in the background
The final descent off the ridge was very steep and had me wishing we had dropped down into Dovedale which would have given us a nice flat finish to the walk.
Struggling down the steep path
Hartsop Dodd behind Brothers Water
Hartsop village
The final few hundred yards saw us walking through Low wood and we eventually arrived back at Cow bridge.
Cow bridge
All smiles now
Ambleside bridge house
A fantastic walk with spectacular views and some interesting things to see. The priests hole being the highlight for me and a must see for anyone walking in these hills. After the walk it was time to sample the delights of Ambleside for a couple of nights. We stayed at The Churchill Inn which was excellent at reasonable rates, it also had free car parking which was also a bonus. All in all it was a great weekend and Belinda thoroughly enjoyed her birthday.
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