Walk stats
- Distance2.3 km · 1.4 mi
- Elevation+90 m
- Duration45 min
- DifficultyEasy
- Route typeLinear
- TerrainForest tracks and woodland paths, steady descent
- Best seasonLate spring to autumn
- DogsDogs welcome on lead near livestock and forestry
About this walk
This short but rewarding descent begins high on Dodd, a wooded fell rising above Bassenthwaite Lake in the northern Lake District. From the summit clearing there are wide views across the valley to Skiddaw and its neighbouring ridges before the path drops away into the trees.
The route works its way down through Thornthwaite Forest, passing the col at Long Doors where the woodland opens briefly and the ground eases. Beyond here the trail threads between Lyzzick Wood and Longside Wood, with the sound of Skill Beck and Gable Gill never far off among the conifers.
The final stretch loses height steadily on forest tracks before emerging at Little Crosthwaite on the edge of the valley. At 2.3 km with only 90 m of ascent in reverse, it makes an easy 45-minute walk down, ideal after taking the longer climb up Dodd from another direction.
Route map
Route line drawn from OpenStreetMap footpath data. Numbered markers are waypoints on the route; amber star markers are points of interest a short detour away.
Waypoints along the route
3 waypoints along the way
- 1
Dodd
- 2
Long Doors
- 3
Finish: Little Crosthwaite
- Finish
The end of the route.
Worth a short detour
Points of interest just off the route, look for the amber markers on the map.
Skill Beck
~183 m off the route
Thornthwaite Forest
~300 m off the route
Gable Gill
~308 m off the route
Lyzzick Wood
~421 m off the route
Longside Wood
~451 m off the route
Route & waypoint data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).