Ullswater Steamer & Glenridding Dodd.

Wainwright Fell 14/200. Glenridding Dodd.

We had decided to add another Wainwright Fell to our very small tally. Glenridding Dodd looking out over the western shores of Ullswater was the walk of choice. We had hoped to set off from the village of Glenridding, but at 9-30am on a sunny Saturday morning there was zilch zero parking.  So a change of plan! The decision was made to park up further along the lake at Pooley Bridge and catch the boat in.

Ullswater Steamers Pier at Pooley Bridge.

Tickets for the steamers can be booked online or bought at the ticket offices on the piers.

Ullswater in the North Eastern corner of the Lake District is the National Parks second largest lake. At 7 miles long the ribbon shaped body of water has a maximum depth of 62.4 metres. The Ullswater Steamers have been ferrying passengers around Ullswater for 160 years.

On the Steamer ‘ Raven’.

Ullswater could be named after a viking chief called Ulf, who settled in the area.

Raven was built in 1889.

It takes about an hour on the Steamer to get to the lakeside village of Glenridding from Pooley Bridge and vice versa. It’s a lovely journey  with fabulous views of the lake and surrounding fells rising majestically all around. The steamers sell refreshments in the saloon ( hot & cold drinks, crisps, chocolate bars, bottles of Ullswater blonde etc) and there are toilets on board. Dogs travel for £1.

Travellers Rest Pub, Glenridding.

It was now just after noon and very warm when we started our hike up Glenridding Dodd. In theory it’s a short steep ascent ,but of course it took me forever , I had to stop and erm, admire the view several times on the way up. 🤣 To find the beginning of the route, you need to walk up Greenside Road and past the Travellers Rest Inn. A path winding it’s way up the fell is clearly signposted from there.

The path veers off up the fell and turns into steep steps.

Looking back across the valley.

Milkwort. Look out for these little vibrant blue heath flowers as you climb.

The Rake.

After what seemed like ages ( and was in fact ages! ) the land levels out and it’s then just a case of following the wall to the right. The route up from here is known as ‘ The Rake.’

I spy Ullswater.

The Summit Cairn.

The Summit Cairn and trusty Wainwright Pictorial Guide.

The Summit Cairn doesn’t actually have the best views. There’s another cairn a little lower to the right with closer vistas of Ullswater and Glenridding village. For once we had the summit all to ourselves.

Another Cairn.

Ullswater and Glenridding.

The views more than made up for the horrible ascent, which I found hard going. My other half ( who compared to me is like a mountain goat! ) found the hike pretty easy. Sadly this is our first Wainwright Fell without our usual partner in crime, our Black Labrador Hugo. It’s probable that his fellwalking days are done, but let’s hope not hey. 🥾🐾👍

Ice-cream from the Steamer ticket office & shop, Glenridding Pier.

Back on the boat.

Wainwright Fells Walked So Far.

Barrow, Buckbarrow, Crag Fell, Hallin, Latrigg, Skiddaw, Arthur’s Pike, Bonscale Pike, Binsey, Dodd, Gowbarrow, Little Mell, Ling, Glenridding Dodd.

Where next??