Sheffield Pike and Glenridding Dodd

What a lovely walk this is; particularly the descent off Sheffield Pike through the rocks and heather. We parked in Glencoyne carpark and then headed up the track to Glencoyne farm, where we bore left and up to Seldom Seen. From there the track goes uphill - rather than following the newly excavated track for the HEP scheme that United Utilities are putting in. Once you reach the wall the ascent to Nick Head is gentle, before turning back on yourself to reach the summit of Sheffield Pike. The shelter on the far side of the summit was very welcome as  the wind was bitter. As already mentioned the descent from Sheffield Pike, past Heron Pike and then down to the wall is particulary enjoyable. You can easily see Glenridding Dodd and from the wall between the two there is really very little ascent to reach the summit of Glenridding Dodd. To get back to Glencoyne we went back to the wall and then bore right on an obvious path that takes you down through Glencoyne wood. This isn't marked on the OS map, but was quite easy to follow. Descending through the trees it was nice to see a dark green fritillary, as well as a purple hairstreak butterfly. There were a lot of wind blown trees and plenty of roots and rocks to make it an 'interesting' descent, which brought you right down to the road, where we follwed the lakeshore path back to Glencoyne carpark. The weather really perked up in the afternoon, as seems to be the trend at the moment. 

Over looking Ullswater and the Glencoyne HEP project.

Across to Catstycam from Hick Head.

The summit of Sheffield Pike.

Across to Helvellyn.

Looking down Ullswater.

Happy dog. 

Descending from Heron Crag.

Looking down from Heron Crag to Glenridding Dodd.

From the summit of Glenridding Dodd over Glencoyne wood. 

Glenridding Dodd.