Dodd (Skiddaw)

About Dodd (Skiddaw)

Tucked beneath the southern slopes of Skiddaw, this once-densely forested peak has been transformed by recent restoration. The summit now offers a grandstand view of Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake. It provides a straightforward but rewarding ascent, ideal for those seeking big-mountain perspectives without the high-altitude effort.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Old Norse 'doddi', which refers to a rounded summit or a spur of a larger mountain. In the Lake District, the term is frequently used for smaller, subsidiary peaks that cling to the flanks of more dominant massifs.
• •Alfred Wainwright was an enthusiastic supporter of this fell, despite its modest height. In his guide to the Northern Fells, he claimed that Dodd is the best place for seeing the beauty of the lakes, specifically highlighting its unique position between Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water.
• •For much of the 20th century, the summit was shrouded in dense sitka spruce and larch. It was only following a major restoration project by the Forestry Commission in the early 2000s that the summit was cleared, restoring the heathland and revealing the spectacular panoramic views.
• •From the summit, you are treated to a perfectly framed view down the length of Derwent Water towards the 'Jaws of Borrowdale', where the smaller peaks of Castle Crag and Grange Fell guard the entrance to the deeper valley.
• •Thanks to the meticulously graded forest tracks that lead almost to the summit, it is one of the few Wainwrights where you can reach the top without ever having to worry about getting your boots muddy or losing your way in the mist.