“A fine view of the valley but impresses most when the evening sun lights up it's colourful rocks and screes”

A Wainwright

A great walk taking in some of the less frequented summits at the western end of the Buttermere Fells ridge including Great Borne and Starling Dodd with wonderful views over the Ennerdale Valley.

A great days walking away from the crowds.

Summits included on this route:
Great Borne (Optional)616 metres / 2021 feet
Starling Dodd755 metres / 2477 feet
Red Pike (Buttermere)690 metres / 2264 feet

“The view has the merit of presenting old favourites from an unusual angle”

A Wainwright

From Bowness Knott car park we will climb the rugged northern flank of Bowness Knott climbing above Brown How onto the steep southern slopes of Herdus or Great Borne climbing by Rake Beck to the summit Great Borne.

From the summit of Great Borne we will follow the ridge east, following the old fence-line climbing again to the summit of Starling Dodd, our second summit of the day before traversing across Little Dodd (not generally classed as a separate summit) before our final climb of the day onto Red Pike.

The summit of Red Pike is a wonderful viewpoint over the Buttermere Valley and of the high Fells around the Ennerdale Valley and north over Buttermere as far as Skiddaw in the Northern Fells.

From Red Pike we will descend to the south, loosing height quickly as we drop down between the plantations above the Ennerdale Valley before reaching the forest track along the valley by High Gillerthwaite.

The track takes us back by Low Gillerthwaite and along the Ennerdale Water lake-shore back to Bowness Knott and our start point.

Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.

Where to meet: Bowness Knott, Ennerdale
Postcode: CA23 3AS (approximate)
Grid Reference: NY 109 153

Directions

From Cockermouth: Follow the A5086 south from Cockermouth, until shortly after the Lamplugh Tip pub is passed to the right turn left, on the road signposted to Kirkland and Ennerdale Bridge.

Follow the road to Kirkland turning left at the crossroads in the village, at the end of this road turn right at the t-junction.

Follow the road down the hill, turning left at the junction into Croasdale, continuing on this road to the Bowness Knott Car Park, crossing the cattle grid, we will meet in the larger car park to the left.

Bus Services

There are no bus services to Bowness Knott.

Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here

Each participant is expected to bring suitable personal equipment for the event.
This should include the following:

Summer Events:
(November - March)

Walking shoes / Boots
Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
Warm tops
Packed lunch
Spare clothing
Water
Hat
Gloves

Winter Events:
(April - October)

Walking Boots
Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
Warm tops
Packed lunch
Spare clothing
Water
Hat
Gloves
Torch (preferably a headtorch)
Spare batteries for the above
Spare Gloves
Flask & Hot Drink

The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:

Snow Goggles
Gaiters

The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:

Ice Axe
Crampons

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Questions:

1 Answer

Is there a minimum number of participants for this event to go ahead?

Posted by , Thursday, 9 November 2017 on product Great Borne and Starling Dodd from Ennerdale

Question:

Is there a minimum number of participants for this event to go ahead?

Answers:

Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 9 November 2017

No, there is no minimum number for this event, if 1 person books then it will go ahead

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1 Answer

What is the minimum age for children on this event?

Posted by , Thursday, 12 October 2017 on product Great Borne and Starling Dodd from Ennerdale

Question:

What is the minimum age for children on this event?

Answers:

Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017

We do not have a set minimum age for this event, however, you know your child best, therefore please bear in mind this is an open event of varying ages, if you are not confident your child can complete this event then hiring a private guide could be a more suitable option.

As this is an open event all under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.

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1 Answer

What happens if the weather is bad?

Posted by , Thursday, 12 October 2017 on product Great Borne and Starling Dodd from Ennerdale

Question:

What happens if the weather is bad?

Answers:

Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We plan to walk whatever the weather, unless it is dangerous to do so.

Mountain weather can be a little unpredictable, but we do keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to walks, should the forecast mean that the walk is not possible then we will contact you as soon as we have the forecast and offer you the following options:
- A more suitable walk on the same date taking into consideration the weather conditions
- A transfer to the same walk on another date
- A full refund

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1 Answer

Are dogs allowed on this walk?

Posted by , Tuesday, 12 September 2017 on product Great Borne and Starling Dodd from Ennerdale

Question:

Are dogs allowed on this walk?

Answers:

Posted by John Scadding on Tuesday, 12 September 2017

Yes, dogs are allowed on all our walks.

However we do cross farmland and common land where animals will be grazing, there will be large sections of the walk, if not all, where dogs will be required to be on a lead.

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