Dock Tarn and Watendlath in 2007


Jenny and I started our walk from Rosthwaite at 09:30. We crossed Stonethwaite Beck near Hazel Bank hotel and walked alongside the beck towards Stonethwaite.   Stonethwaite Beck Enclosed path alongside Stonethwaite Beck


Jenny near Stonethwaite Bridge Jenny near Stonethwaite Bridge   Approaching Stonethwaite Bridge the path opens out somewhat and very soon after the bridge, which we did not cross, it is necessary to fork left on a small path that starts to climb through a lightly wooded area; the main track continues up the valley to eventually reach Grasmere Common.


The climb towards White Crag through the lightly wooded area of Lingy End is steep and tiring.

Nearing the top with White Crag behind us we converge with Willygrass Gill and suddenly we are there, at Dock Tarn. It is 12:40, so 3:10 since leaving Rosthwaite.

The tarn is quite remote and somewhat desolate at this time of year but would be a quiet and peaceful place to be in the summer months. 		  Lingy End Lingy End below White Crag


Dock Tarn Dock Tarn   Dock Tarn Dock Tarn


The onward route towards Watendlath takes us past the rocks of Great Crag and the high point of the walk at 436m. That is followed by a very marshy section until Watendlath itself comes into view. We make no apology for displaying the photograph of Watendlath as large as possible. It is a quite magical spot. On leaving Watendlath we took the track that climbs beside Bowdergate Gill, crosses the high ground and then descends to Rosthwaite. It is a popular route at any time of the year and quite unlike the Dock Tarn path. We would have been back in Rosthwaite by 16:00 so approximately 6:30 in all.


Watendlath Watendlath seen from the direction of Great Crag


Editor: Peter J. Cosker   peter@the2coskers.com   other Lake District walks   Updated: 11/11/2016