The Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 19/11/2021

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Great Stickle (OF) – Tarn Hill (OF) – Stickle Pike (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Start Time: 09:50

Partly Cloudy

Temperature     11 ℃
Feels like        11 ℃
Wind Speed       11.7 mi/h
Wind Direction   WSW
Humidity          83%

It was sunny at home this morning but further inland over the Lakeland fells there was lots of low lying cloud. The only place with any light it seemed was the south-western corner and even that was looking a bit hit and miss. It is always an enjoyable and relatively easy round at Dunnerdale. The clouds were scooting through all the time and it was pretty breezy up on the tops. At least it was a chance for Dougal to get out again!

Up at Stickle Tarn - spot the Dougal? (and Fletcher!)

Stickle Pike - this would be the last time the top was fully out of the clouds.

Fletcher on the path to Great Stickle.

looking back to Stickle Pike.

On the Great Stickle ridge with the prominent trig.column ahead.

Show me the light. Drama over Broughton.

Looking down to the Duddon Estuary.

Sing Dougal, let them all know you are here!

The cloud has moved in from Tarn Hill summit.

Fletcher looking distinctly unimpressed with the windy conditions!

Back to Stickle Pike.

If anything there is even more cloud now climbing to Stickle Pike. I bumped into one of Connie's old teachers here, the only person I met all day so we stopped and chewed the fat about the good old days (when we used to work for a living!). The path to Stickle Pike is a great groove up the fellside but in my memory it was always a thing path in the grass.

Nothing to see here - Stickle Pike.

Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 16/02/2017

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Great Stickle (OF) – Tarn Hill (OF) – Stickle Pike (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 235 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes Start Time: 09:00

Weather: Mild but very windy, 8°C

There isn’t much real winter weather around but I suppose that does have its own merits. Today was relatively mild but the wind was surprisingly strong once above valley level.

It was a bit of a murky morning, Caw is over there lost in clouds...

The wind really whipped up at Stickle Tarn.

Stickle Pike - but well save that for later.

An alternative view of Stickle Pike, here looking at its rugged side.

On the way to Great Stickle.

Stickle Pike has a fantastic shape.

The Duddon Estuary from Great Stickle.

Looking the other way.

How breezy is it today boys?

Great Stickle from the climb to Tarn Hill.

Our old friend Stickle Pike across one of the tarns.

Great Stickle from Tarn Hill summit cairn.

Up close and personal before we climb it.

The route just walked.

Three peaks - Great Stickle, Stickle Pike #1 and Stickle Pike #2.

The Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 12/01/2015

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Tarn Hill (OF) – Great Stickle (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 235 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 15:00

Weather: A cold wind, 6°C

I had the chance of a swift walk with the dogs at the end of the afternoon so I had a wander around some of the Dunnerdale fells. It turned out to be a stunning sunset, something that didn’t look like it would happen until the very end so I am glad we braved the cold wind and went for it!

Whirlwind on Stickle Tarn.

Passing beneath Stickle Pike.

Stickle Pike from the northern end of the Tarn Hill ridge.

Oooh - great sky looking over to Black Combe from Tarn Hill.

Stickle Pike and Caw from one of the tarns.

Heading for Great Stickle.

Looking back to Tarn Hill.

Great Stickle sunset.

Dougal and Fletcher.

The Duddon Estuary from Great Stickle. It looks as though the trig column has only been undercoated, it used to be bright white!

Black Combe.

Another Stickle Pike view.

Caw after sunset.

Black Combe has gone thermo-nuclear!

Great Stickle

Height: 305 metres / 1000 feet Grid reference: SD 21179 91599 Category: The Outlying Fells

Looking to the Duddon Estuary from Great Stickle

A couple enjoy the view from Great Stickle

Dunnderdale Fells

Walked on 23/08/2014

Start Point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Great Stickle (OF) – Tarn Hill (OF) – Stickle Pike (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 235 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes Start Time: 16:00

Weather: Bright and breezy, 17°C

It was another lovely afternoon and I took the chance of a late walk to get up amongst the Dunnerdale Fells. This area is always beautiful, reasonably quiet and easy for me to get to for a shorter walk. This route will appear in Trail magazine later this year.

Twin peaks - Great Stickle and Stickle Pike from Broughton Mills.

Caw from the climb.

Stickle Tarn - beautiful.

Bring me sunshine.

Looking along the Duddon Valley to the high fells.

Caw and Grey Friar (in shadow) across Stickle Tarn.

Stickle Pike towering above the path.

The path to Great Stickle, the fell to the left.

The Matterhorn shape of Stickle Pike - it looks fantastic from the south.

The view from the climb to Great Stickle.

This couple I met were enjoying the views from Great Stickle today.

Looking towards the Duddon Estuary.

Great Stickle from Tarn Hill.

A lovely view across a tarn.

At the top of Tarn Hill.

Dougal and (windswept) Fletcher.

On the edge of the Tarn Hill ridge. In the clearing below right, where the path joins the area without bracken there is a small stone circle.

The stone circle.

Rainbow over Caw.

Scafells to Bowfell and Crinkle Crags with Harter Fell in the foreground from the foot of Stickle Pike.

Looking across virtually the whole route from the south top of Stickle Pike.

Stickle Pike summit.

Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 08/06/2008

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Great Stickle (OF) – Tarn Hill (OF) – Stickle Pike (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 235 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Sunny and warm. 20ºC.

It was a superb sunny morning this morning for our walk around the Dunnerdale Fells. It was one of those days when it is truly a joy to be out – the sun was shining, the birds were singing and there wasn’t a soul about. Casper and Angus certainly enjoyed the run out, as did I!

Stickle Pike from the start of the climb from Kiln Bank Cross.

The view from further up looking north with the Scafells, Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags in the distance, Harter Fell in the left middle distance with Caw to the right.

Stickle Pike - a beautiful day.

Reedy Stickle Tarn.

Crossing below Stickle Pike around the southern side.

Light and shade over Stickle Pike.

Heading for Great Stickle across the Bog Cotton field.

The Duddon Estuary from Great Stickle.

Angus and Casper on Great Stickle.

Stickle Pike form Tarn Hill.

Buck Barrow and Whitfell across the Duddon Valley from Tarn Hill.

Scafell, Scafell Pike, Great End and Esk Pike beyond Harter Fell across the Duddon Valley.

Stickle Pike from the end of the Tarn Hill ridge.

A big rest for the boys after the steeper than steep climb up the southern face of Stickle Pike.

Looking across to the main summit.

...and looking back over the route just walked. Great Stickle is to the left with the Bog Cotton field below with the arm of the Tarn Hill ridge leading to the right.

The summit cairn on Stickle Pike.

Taking in the view along the Duddon Valley.

Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 30/08/2007

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Tarn – Great Stickle (OF) – Tarn Hill (OF) – Stickle Pike (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 2.5 miles Total Ascent: 235 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Overcast and windy. 18oC.

I had a shorter walk today in poorer conditions than yesterday up to the Dunnerdale Fells. Angus (the old trooper) was out as well, loving every minute of it of course! It seems like a while since I’ve been up here, certainly before the summer, yet it looks quite wintry already…

It's all a bit gloomy after the sunshine of yesterday heading towards Stickle Tarn.

Looking to the head of the Duddon Valley from the climb with the high fells lost in cloud, Caw up to the right.

The track to Stickle Pike.

Stickle Tarn.

Angus and Casper - up to their necks in it today.

Looking back to Stickle Pike from the climb to Great Stickle.

Stickle Pike and Caw from Great Stickle.

The Duddon Estuary.

The three of them - trig, Stickle Pike and Harter Fell.

The two of them - Casper and Angus.

Great Stickle from Tarn Hill.

Stickle Pike from an appropriate tarn on Tarn Hill.

Sunlight on Green Crag.

Looks like it's clearing to the north from the summit of Stickle Pike.

Scafell and Slight Side.

The scene of yesterday's walk - Bowfell and Crinkle Crags.

Having a rest on Stickle Pike.

Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 20/04/2007

Start point: Stonestar (SD 202 912)

Stonestar – Great Stickle (OF) – Tarn Hill (OF) – The Dunnerdale Fells – Stonestar

Distance: 3.1 miles Total Ascent: 358 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 25 minutes

Weather: Hazy but warm. 17oC.

It was very hazy again today with the sun trying to burn through and making it quite warm. We stayed low on the quiet but lovely Dunnerdale fells followed by a cooling dip (for some of us anyway!) in the River Duddon.

Climbing the gully from Stonestar. I feel sure if this was in a more popular part of the Lakes it would be named Great Gully - so Great Gully it is then!

Looking down the Great Gully to the Duddon Valley and The Pike

Heading for Great Stickle there are many ancient cairns littering the area.

All bow to the great Trig. column'!. The summit of Great Stickle with Stickle Pike beyond.

Warm.

Stickle Pike.

A dried up tarn on Tarn Hill.

Stickle Pike, again from Tarn Hill.

It's a mini-haystacks this one with tarns and views.

This edge catches the wind by the look of this hoary old tree. Casper looks decidedly filthy after a visit to a boggy tarn.

The Pike and Hesk Fell on the descent back into the Duddon Valley.

Angus is straight in the River Duddon.

Looking upstream.

It's just lovely here.

Dunnerdale Horseshoe

Walked on 20/06/2006

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Pike – Tarn Hill – Great Stickle – Scrithwaite Farm – Knott End – The Knott(OF) – Raven’s Crag – Stainton Ground Quarries – Kiln Bank Cross

Distance: 4.8 miles Total Ascent: 700 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Overcast, clearing later. 14oC.

It was the same today as yesterday – it looked like someone had ruled a line at 400m and that was the cloud base across the whole of the southern Lake District. The Dunnerdale Fells were beneath the clouds, so that’s where I headed but even that looked a bit iffy at the start with the odd shower whilst I was on Stickle Pike. By the time I reached the return leg, the clouds quickly cleared away and even gave a hint of blue sky – it just shows how quickly it can all change.

Looking over Dunnerdale to Raven's Crag and The Knott, to be used on the return leg. The weather didn't look too hopeful as even these lowly tops were catching a bit of the cloud.

Stickle Tarn.

The route to Stickle Pike.

Casper caught in flight near Stickle Tarn.

Getting cosy on Stickle Pike.

The way ahead is the Tarn Hill - Great Stickle ridge running from right to left.

Stickle Pike from Tarn Hill.

Tarn Hill and Great Stickle with the Duddon Estuary beyond.

Looking back to Stickle Pike with Caw putting in an appearance from the cloud as it starts to lift in the distance.

The cloud starts to lift from Green Crag to the north.

Stickle Pike and Caw from one of the many tarns on the aptly named Tarn Hill.

Still a heavy looking sky over the Duddon Estuary, from Great Stickle.

Looking across Dunnerdale to The Knott, the next objective.

Stickle Pike along Dunnerdale.

Amazingly, blue skies appeared as I climbed The Knott, here looking along the Lickle Valley to the Duddon Estuary.

Even Black Combe is there now - so that's what it looks like!

A panoramic view of the Great Stickle to Stickle Pike ridge.

Raven's Crag from The Knott.

Stickle Pike over Hoses.

Even the higher fells can be seen now with Harter Fell left of centre distance with Scafell behind. The distinctive 'crinkly' Esk Pike and the pyramidal Bow Fell are in the right distance.

Caw.

A close up of Stickle Pike, the disused quarry giving away the secret of it's industrial past.

Hesk Fell.

Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 13/09/2005

Start point: Stonestar (SD 202 912)

Stonestar – Great Stickle (OF) – Tarn Hill (OF) – The Dunnerdale Fells – Stonestar

Distance: 3.1 miles Total Ascent: 358 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 25 minutes

Weather: Overcast and breezy. 17°C.

Back to nearer home today with a walk up to the group of small, rough fells known as The Dunnerdale Fells lying between the Duddon Valley and Lickle Valley . The clear weather of yesterday has disappeared again and the rain was threatening but thankfully it stayed off. The bracken is noticeably turning brown now – we should know, we waded through enough of it today!

Dunnerdale Fells

Great Stickle ahead. The bracken is beginning to turn brown now.

The Pike across the Duddon Valley with a sunlit Hesk Fell behind.

The summit of Great Stickle, the Duddon Estuary in the distance.

Looking back to Great Stickle from Tarn Hill.

Stickle Pike from Tarn Hill.

A quizzical look on the Dunnerdale Fells.

The Pike through the thick Gorse on the rough descent.

The River Duddon.

The Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 25/03/2005

Start point: Stonestar (SD 202 912)

Stonestar – Great Stickle (OF) – Stickle Pike – Tarn Hill (OF)_- The Dunnerdale Fells – Stonestar

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 502 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 35 minutes

Weather: Warm, becoming sunny at the end of the walk, 13oC.

We had a walk around the Dunnerdale Fells starting from Stonestar on the Duddon Valley road this warm afternoon. This is a lovely and quiet area – hard to find on a Good Friday afternoon I think! It also took in Stickle Pike and Stickle Tarn, the area we walked on Wednesday from the Lickle Valley side.

The walk was a hybrid of two Wainwright Outlying Fell walks. Stickle Pike is described in Wainwright’s Stickle Pike chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 126 and The Dunnerdale Fells are described in the Dunnerdale Fells chapter on page 132.

The Dunnerdale Fells route map.

The Pike across the Duddon Valley from Stonestar.

Looking down the rocky ravine along the Duddon Valley.

The Duddon Estuary from Great Stickle.

Stickle Tarn.

Walking on water?

Heavy clouds on Whitfell.

James and Angus on Stickle Pike.

Looking across to the mound that is 'The Dunnerdale Fells'.

The River Duddon.

The terraced path from Stonestar rising diagonally right to left.

The Dunnerdale Fells from the Duddon Valley.

Dunnerdale Fells

Walked on 15/12/2004

Start point: Kiln Bank Cross (SD 215 933)

Kiln Bank Cross – Stickle Pike (OF) – Tarn Hill (OF) – The Dunnerdale Fells (OF) – Great Stickle (OF) – Kiln Bank Cross

Weather: Sunny and bright.

Today’s walk is a Wainwright/Birkett hybrid, taking in Stickle Pike – a personal favourite, the undulating Tarn Hill, a vague top named ‘Dunnerdale Fells’ (a separate ‘Outlying Fell’ walk chapter by Wainwright) and Great Stickle. The views to the north were superb, especially towards the end when the clouds lifted from the high fells.

Caw from the ascent of Stickle Pike.

Stickle Tarn.

Whitfell and Hesk Pike with The Pike in the foreground from Stickle Pike.

Looking to the Duddon Estuary across Tarn Hill and Great Stickle.

The main cairn on Stickle Pike from the south cairn with Harter Fell and the Scafell range in cloud behind.

Tarn Hill and Great Stickle.

Great Stickle.

The ridge that runs along the opposite side of the Lickle Valley; Caw - Brock Barrow - Fox Haw - Raven's Crag - The Knott.

Stickle Pike from the south.

he view from Stickle Tarn; see below for an annotated version of this photo.

Stickle Pike

Walked on 13/07/2004

Start point: Broughton Mills (SD 222 906)

Broughton Mills – Great Stickle (107) (OF) – The Dunnerdale Fells – Tarn Hill (108) (OF) – Stickle Pike (109) (OF) – The Knott (OF) – Broughton Mills

Weather: Sunny and bright.

A short walk in the sunshine today around Broughton Mills taking in a lovely round including Stickle Pike – well worth visiting for the views of the high fells, especially the Scafell and Bowfell ranges.

As well as taking in the Birkett tops, parts of this walk are described in Wainwright’s Stickle Pike chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 126.

From Broughton Mills, I crossed the River Lickle over the bridge and followed the tarmac up to Green Bank Farm where the road petered out into a track and then an overgrown path. Through the woods, the path changed into a walled green lane which skirts the base of Hovel Knott.

Hovel Knott and Great Stickle from the green lane. The path bears off to the right and heads up to the summit of Great Stickle.

The Duddon Estuary from Great Stickle.

Stickle Pike from Great Stickle. From Great Stickle, the path either heads directly to Stickle Pike or traverses the Tarn Hill ridge. I headed for the ridge after making a slight detour to the Dunnerdale Fells summit after confusion arose from my Dunnerdale Fells walk on 1.7.04 when it appeared I never quite reached the correct summit. This turned out to be the case and the correct summit is about 200 metres north west of my original position.

Looking from the cairned summit of the Dunnerdale Fells to the Duddon Estuary. A quick walk past a couple of un-named tarns took me to the summit cairn of Tarn Hill.

The Scafell range and Stickle Pike from Tarn Hill summit. An easy traverse of the ridge where tarns abound brought me to the foot of Stickle Pike.

Stickle Pike from the Tarn Hill ridge. Note the ancient stone circle cairn at the foot of the picture. It was down to the stone circle in the grass depression and up the path to the right of Stickle Pike to the col and then left up the very steep path to the summit of Stickle Pike. The view of Bowfell and the Scafell range from the col and from the summit of Stickle Pike is absolutely magnificent.

Harter Fell in the foreground, the Scafell range to the left and Bowfell in the centre from the summit of Stickle Pike. I then descended back to the col using the same path, past Stickle Tarn down to the fell road.

Stickle Tarn. Across the fell road and along the spoil heaps with the ridge above being the target. I contoured along the low level path longer than the AW route and ascended directly to Raven's Crag. It was interesting to note that the nameless summit 1183' quoted by Wainwright is actually called Raven's Crag by Birkett and Wainwright's Raven's Crag is not named by Birkett!

Stickle Pike over Hoses farm from the low level path. From Raven's Crag there is a descent to a large depression and the an easy, grassy walk to The Knott.