Route: Hart Side
Area: Eastern Lake District
Date of walk: 5th July 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 6.8 miles
Weather: sunny intervals
Hart Side translates as the hill side frequented by harts, and is a subsidiary top on one of the east ridges of Stybarrow Dodd. Alfred Wainwright classifies it as a separate fell, one of the 214 in the Lake District
The fell is located in a remote position in the east of the district but is worth visiting, if only for the ascent from Dockray along the side of Brown Hills. From here there are wonderful views over Ullswater along the gentle climb up
After admiring the views as I went along, I finally left the path to climb up to the summit of Hart Side – one of those climbs which seems never ending and which was in truth rather dull
The views from the summit of the fell are rather disappointing despite its altitude of 2,481 feet – maybe the reason why this place isn’t visited often. I saw no-one else up there today
I descended via Birkett Fell to Dowthwaitehead, from where there was a lovely walk along the valley back to the start
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk, near the Royal Hotel in Dockray
Entering Watermillock Common from the path directly opposite the small parking area
The path skirts round to the left of the hills ahead
Looking back to Dockray
Ullswater comes into view - and stays there for some time, the view improving as the walk progresses
Walking along the side of Brown Hills
Ullswater
Further along this delightful path
Looking back along the path
After that wonderful terraced walk along Brown Hills, it’s time to turn away from the lake and head for Hart Side, up to the right and out of sight
Summit of Hart Side, with Skiddaw and Blencathra in the distance
I descend to the cairn on Birkett Fell overlooking Ullswater
Birkett Fell, named after Lord Birkett - the saviour of Ullswater
Descending towards Matterdale
The path turns left at this point to head towards Dowthwaitehead
Crossing the bridge over Aira Beck - no indication that this will turn into the spectacular waterfalls of Aira Force lower down
Walking back down the valley
A short section along a deserted lane down into Dockray
A buzzard flew overhead as I walked down the lane
Back to the start - it had been a really enjoyable walk
