Parking
Start at Beckside Car Park in Glenridding. From the upper level, follow Greenside Road and the path beside the Health Centre; the village and its facilities are close by. The car park is pay-and-display.
Overview
About Glenridding Dodd, Heron Pike and Sheffield Pike
This is a closed loop starting and finishing at Beckside Car Park, and all distances quoted are for the full loop: 5.7 miles (9.2 km) with 611 m of ascent, typically taking about 3 hours 45 minutes. Difficulty is rated 6 out of 10, reflecting sustained steep ground rather than technical scrambling. No permit is required.
Why go
- Three summits and Ullswater views in one circuit
- Greenside Mine adds a distinctive historic finish
Heads up
- Steep, rough climbing for much of the route
- Boggy plateau and loose descent complicate footing
Map & elevation
The route
Loading the Lake District map
Full mapElevation160–669 m
Plan your hike
Before you go
Parking
Best time to go
Safety
8 active Lake District alerts
- ClosureChapel Stile footpath closed for retaining-wall riskPart of Footpath 543030 between Chapel Stile and Baysbrown campsite is closed because a retaining wall beside the path could collapse and material it supports could fall across the footpath.Official details
- ClosureStanley Ghyll Lower Falls footpath closed for rockfallThe section of Footpath 408037 leading towards Stanley Ghyll Lower Falls is closed because severe rockfall damage has made the path unstable and further rockfall remains a danger.Official details
The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Lake District Tour Guide
Your drive to Glenridding Dodd, Heron Pike and Sheffield Pike, narrated.
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Lake District National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
Recorded for this trailhead
Helvellyn Walks from Glenridding0:00 / 1:03
“You're coming up on Glenridding, a starting point for Helvellyn and some much shorter walks into the fells. Helvellyn rises to almost nine hundred and fifty metres, making it England's third-highest mountain.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Lake District Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
- Glenridding: Ullswater Shore and Steamers
- Patterdale: Place Fell and Arnison Crag
- Aira Force and Gowbarrow
- Brothers Water: Woodland and Shore
- 298 audio storiesacross Lake District’s roads, triggered by GPS as you drive
- Wildlife heatmapsfor Red Deer, Eurasian Otter, Osprey, and 13 more
- Works offlinemaps, 265 trails, 89 places, and audio download before you lose signal
- CarPlay readysimple controls built for the drive
“Fantastic app with many points of information… It’s great to just turn on while you’re driving and it gives you an audio tour of the national Park. We love it!!!!”
Trail guide
Hiking Glenridding Dodd, Heron Pike and Sheffield Pike
The Line of the WalkFrom Beckside Car Park the route follows Greenside Road past the Health Centre and climbs The…
From Beckside Car Park the route follows Greenside Road past the Health Centre and climbs The Rake to reach Glenridding Dodd. From the Dodd it returns to the col and takes the south-east ridge onto Heron Pike, then continues to the summit of Sheffield Pike. The descent goes by way of Nick Head, passing quarry heaps to a footbridge, then Greenside Mine and Gillside Farm before returning through Glenridding.
Terrain and UnderfootExpect steep rocky steps on the initial climb, deep heather on the ridges, and a boggy plateau…
Expect steep rocky steps on the initial climb, deep heather on the ridges, and a boggy plateau between the higher summits. The descent involves rough, loose stone before easier lower tracks. On the high ground, route choice needs attention, and mist makes navigation harder.
Safety ConsiderationsThere is no safe escape from the south-east ridge until the summit is reached, so commit to the…
There is no safe escape from the south-east ridge until the summit is reached, so commit to the line only if prepared to finish it. Steep slopes and old mine workings lie near parts of the route. In winter, snow, ice, and wet bog make the walk considerably harder.
Alternatives to ConsiderWalkers wanting a longer and higher day may prefer the Helvellyn ridges, while those seeking a…
Walkers wanting a longer and higher day may prefer the Helvellyn ridges, while those seeking a much shorter outing can climb Glenridding Dodd alone and return the same way.
DogsDogs are permitted.
Dogs are permitted. Keep them under close control throughout and on leads where livestock may be present.
Wildlife
Wildlife in Lake District
81 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map
13 sightingsEurasian OtterMost seen around 6 AMSighting map
76 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 8 AMSighting map
51 sightingsEuropean BadgerMost seen around 8 PMSighting map
233 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
176 sightingsGrey HeronMost seen around 7 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
