Starling Dodd
633m (2077ft)
The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 9.75ml (15.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,734ft (833m) |
| Time: | 6.25hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Buttermere - Buttermere Dubbs - Scale Bridge - Scale Force - Scale Beck - Blea Crag - Lingcomb Edge - Ling Comb - Little Dodd (Ennerdale) - Starling Dodd - Great Borne - Floutern Tarn - Black Beck (Mosedale) - Scale Force - Scale Beck (Crummock Water) - Crummock Water - Buttermere
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 9.75ml (15.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,157ft (962m) |
| Time: | 6½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Buttermere - Sourmilk Gill - Bleaberry Tarn - Dodd (Buttermere) - The Saddle - Red Pike (Buttermere) - Ling Comb - Little Dodd (Ennerdale) - Starling Dodd - Great Borne - Floutern Tarn - Black Beck (Mosedale) - Blea Crag - Scale Force - Scale Beck (Crummock Water) - Crummock Water - Buttermere Dubs - Buttermere
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 16ml (25.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 6,285ft (1,915m) |
| Time: | 12.25hrs |
| Grade: |  (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
Buttermere - Scale Force - Scale Beck - Blea Crag - Great Borne - Starling Dodd - Little Dodd (Ennerdale) - Ling Comb - Lingcomb Edge - Red Pike (Buttermere) - Dodd (Buttermere) - Red Pike (Buttermere) - High Stile - High Crag (Buttermere) - Gamlin End - Seat (Buttermere) - Scarth Gap - Hay Stacks (Haystacks) - Innominate Tarn - Blackbeck Tarn - Black Beck - Green Crag (Buttermere) - Warnscale Beck - Dubs Hut - Dubs Quarry - Fleetwith Pike - Honister Crag (Black Star) - Fleetwith Pike - Fleetwith Edge - Gatesgarth - Buttermere
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Starling Dodd
Paul Roddam walked up on July 19th, 2025 [with] Barb, Bri [weather] Muggy
Ian Ashton climbed it on January 19th, 2025 [with] Ella
Tim Winn bagged it on September 25th, 2024 [from/via/route] Bowness Car Park, Ennnerdale [with] Steve, Dave, John, Mike and Darrell [weather] Dry.
Richard Fulcher hiked it on April 2nd, 2024 [from/via/route] We parked in Bowness Knot car park next to Ennerdale Water (£8 😱). We then set off back up the road until the stile leading to the path by Rake Beck. We hiked up this path until just below Herdus & then scrambled up the slippery steep rock to the top & across to Great Borne. From Great Borne we went down & up to Starling Dodd & then continued towards Red Pike veering off to the right to join the path leading down to the road at the bottom. We then strolled back wearily to the car! [with] Jen [weather] Cold on the tops with a breeze, but still & quite pleasant down at the lake side. Low cloud to start with clearing later.
Sarah Moore summited on April 9th, 2023 [from/via/route] My own invention! Wanting not to drive from YHA Ennerdale & to make the most of the High Stile ridge [with] On my own [weather] Not so sunny - good... very windy at times - tough (lots of people coming off the tops / turning back, but glad I didn't) - Loved this - an 8 hour walk really started to test me lengthwise & absolutely adored the lack of people on what I thought would be a crazy busy Easter Sunday. One to remember...
Richard Marchant conquered it on November 19th, 2022 [from/via/route] Parked at the Forestry Carpark next to Ennerdale Water under Bowness Knot. From the carpark we walked but up the road to the bend & took a path Northeast ward that took us up behind Bowness Knot & Brown How. Basically we followed Rake Beck all the way up to the top of the fell where the gradient got easier & before you knew it we were on Great Bourne. From here we followed the ridge East on to Starling Dodd. We then carried on over Starling Dodd & before the ascent of Reb Pike we eventually headed south down a faint path back down to the bottom of Ennerdale & then followed the forestry track back to the carpark. [with] with my oldest son James [weather] Sunny cold day
Christine Shepherd scaled on August 14th, 2010 [from/via/route] From Buttermere via Scale Beck using walk c411 Climbed again from Bowness Knott 22-11-2021 Made another ascent of this fell on 28.08.2022 with a group from Mountain Madness using route c324. [with] On my own [weather] Sunny for most of the day but misty on Red Pike
Paul Macey walked up on July 23rd, 2022 [with] Luke [weather] Sunny Intervals
John Tippins climbed it on July 12th, 2022 [from/via/route] From Buttermere [with] With Zahra [weather] Cloudy & a bit chilly to start with, warmer later.
Kevin Foster bagged it on June 11th, 2021 [from/via/route] Bowness Knott car park. [with] By myself. [weather] Some clouds. - The broad ridge between Great Borne & Starling Dodd was easily followed by keeping to the right of the fence & cutting across the corner on a well defined path. The top is a small rounded grassy cone with excellent views across the valley towards Steeple & Pillar. After a steep rocky descent down Dodsgill Beck you reach the tranquility of Ennerdale Forest. The last couple of miles beside the River Liza & along Ennerdale Water are delightful. A nice walk.
Michael Austin hiked it on October 14th, 2020 [from/via/route] C411 & C207
Christina Lander summited on April 23rd, 2021 [from/via/route] Bowness Knott, Ennerdale - Great Borne - Starling Dodd - Red Pike - Smithy Beck Settlement - Bowness Knott [with] Dick [weather] A beautiful sunny day - During our holiday staying in Embleton
Ian Mackenzie conquered it on April 10th, 2021 [from/via/route] From Bowness Knott car park, along the water then straight up Red Pike, across to Starling Dodd. [with] Me, myself and I [weather] Sunny but cold - Great walk but with steep ascent & descents, not yet fit so it hurt!
Andrew Johnson scaled on November 25th, 2020 [from/via/route] Ennerdale [with] Ted [weather] Cloudy, windy
Darren Wilson walked up on August 30th, 2020 [from/via/route] Buttermere, Great Borne,Starling Dodd, Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag, Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike [with] Mike [weather] Good day - Clear day good views
Dave Eyes climbed it on August 19th, 2019 [from/via/route] Parked at carpark under Bowness Knott on the shore of ennerdale water. Walked along the shore path & then up Starling Dodd & then on to Great Borne [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Cloudy with a heavy rain & a very strong wind - hardly any views.
Wayne Baxter bagged it on August 7th, 2020 [from/via/route] Ennerdale Waters Bowness knot car park. Back along the road to a stile on your right,up to Herdus & follow path to Great Borne, now follow path to Starling Dodd. On to Little Dodd before turning left down a very steep path to Ennerdale waters & back to car. (the route down is not recommended) [with] Sue [weather] Rain to start with very high winds. Sunny on the way back.
Caroline Winter hiked it on August 27th, 2019 [from/via/route] Gatesgarth, Scarth Gap Pass, Seat, High Crag, High Stile, Red Pike, Starling Dodd, Great Borne, Steel Brow, Scales, The Fish at Buttermere, B5289 to CP [with] Becky [weather] 9.30 Start & already feeling hot & sticky on long climb up. No wind until late afternoon (SW), & great views of surrounding Fells. Cloud predicted on High Crag at 1pm, & cloud descended on leaving Great Borne. - Classic ridge walk with a plethora of views, not forthcoming on last visit here. Red scree peppering slopes of Red pike, so to descend further along after continuing the ridge to Starling Dodd & Great Borne (Starling Dodd has a very odd twisted metal structure on its top). Also, saves climbing them from Ennerdale. Came down further West along a track, so needed to back Track to find NW route. Long walk out along slippery rocks & bracken. Diversion at scale Bridge, due to reconstruction. Missed last bus at 17.18 hrs, so ate a delicious trout dinner at The Fish, before walking the road-nearly as pleasant as the lake walk, & saved £25 plus on taxi fare.
Richard Marshall summited on April 14th, 2019 [from/via/route] C411 [with] Bo [weather] Cloudy/sunny. Very Cold bit breezy.
Elaine Evans conquered it on January 11th, 2019 [from/via/route] From Bowness Knott car park back along road to bridleway leading up to Great Borne, across to Starling Dodd then descended to forest path to walk alongside river & shores of Ennerdale on way back to car. [with] Sue and Christine [weather] Dry, dull but clear day - Good walk out for our first AWs of the year.
David Watson scaled on August 30th, 2018 [from/via/route] Bowness Knot [weather] Sunny
John Bryers walked up on August 16th, 2018 [from/via/route] Second of 7 Wainwrights. Camped at Syke Farm, Buttermere. Walked along Crummock water from Scale bridge Scale force, traversing Starling Dodd to join ridge path to top of Great Bourne returning via Starling Dodd. [with] With Mya my faithful Patterdale Terrier. [weather] Weather blustery with occasional showers with some strong cool winds for August! - Once bagged, headed to Red Pike & beyond!
John Almond climbed it on August 22nd, 2017 [from/via/route] go4awalk c411 route reversed - From Buttermere Village - Crummock Water - Black Beck - Floutern Tarn - Great Borne - STARLING DODD - Little Dodd - Scale Beck - Crummock Water - Wainwright 106 [with] Solo [weather] Good. - Had planned to do this walk as published, but carelessly missed the left turn at Scale Beck! Rather than turn back, I decided to carry on to Great Borne first! Would probably recommend the other way, & do the climbing with fresh legs!
Chris Sheard bagged it on June 6th, 1999 [from/via/route] From Buttermere camp - 10 Oct 1999 [with] John & Paul - George & Baz [weather] Great weather day turning cooler - Nice day turning wild & wet - Sat in hollow with sandwich & fell runner comes through the mist
David Wand hiked it on August 27th, 1997 [with] Gayle
Leon Harvey summited on January 21st, 2017 [with] Solo
Tracey Cowell conquered it on November 27th, 2016 [from/via/route] Bowness knott/ brown how/herdua/great borne/gavel fell/starling dodd/little dodd/gillerthwaite yha/ennerdale shore path [with] Richard/jaclyn/karen/sue/linzi/stephen [weather] Sun cloud snow
Mark Davidson scaled on June 6th, 2003 [with] Mike [weather] OK - bit hazy
Craig Steeland walked up on October 20th, 2016 [from/via/route] Buttermere [with] on my own [weather] sunny & clear - Beautiful autumn day
Anthony Scott climbed it on June 27th, 2016 [from/via/route] YHA Ennerdale [with] me [weather] Breezy, some drizzle, rain on the way
Clive Ward bagged it on June 25th, 2016 [from/via/route] Buttermere, Red Pike, Starling, then back along ridge as far as Haystacks. Down to Buttermere [with] I did this as an extension to the walk with Ian, Gill & Hazel. See High Stile
Christine Knowles hiked it on May 16th, 2016 [from/via/route] Ennerdale via Seat, High Stile Ridge, then followed by Great Borne [with] Graham [weather] Cold, but clear - Weird cairn!
Victoria Bates summited on February 26th, 2016 [from/via/route] C411 [with] Mark
David Noble conquered it on November 14th, 2015 [from/via/route] Bowness Knott [with] Jack [weather] Hurricane Jane ended up light constant rain & 25mph winds a dud
Kevin Parnham scaled on May 13th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Ennerdale via Great Borne [with] Jo [weather] Glorious weather
Colin Egan walked up on March 24th, 2015 [from/via/route] Continuation from Great Borne, descent via Ennerdale path to Red Pike (B) [with] My wife Faith and son Peter [weather] Cold with sunny spells - Easy walk over from Great Borne, path quite distinct, much improved since Wainwright's day. Carried on in direction of Red Pike, rounded Little Dodd before descending to path up out of Ennerdale
Keith Eastman climbed it on July 26th, 2014 [from/via/route] c411
Harry Meijer bagged it on August 16th, 2014 [from/via/route] The Ennerdale Horseshoe [with] The Lake District Walker
Charlie Housley hiked it on June 11th, 2014 [from/via/route] The ridge route from Great Borne. [with] Solo. [weather] Shrouded in mist for the whole route, which was a bit jarring because the rest of England was bathed in sunshine...except Ennerdale!
Darren Mortimer summited on September 14th, 2013 [from/via/route] Buttermere [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] Fantastic sunny day with white fluffy clouds & very little wind
Phillip Bulley conquered it on July 12th, 2013 [from/via/route] Great Borne [with] Judiith and Toby! [weather] Sunny & hot!
Dale Verrall scaled on March 12th, 2012 [from/via/route] Ennerdale Water - Walk number C411 [with] Amber [weather] Low cloud but warm
Paul Carmichael walked up on November 18th, 2012 [from/via/route] Buttermere [with] Neil Hopkin [weather] good
Iain Taylor climbed it on May 1st, 2011 [from/via/route] Buttermere (NY 17756 17088)
Tony Aspden bagged it on June 12th, 2012 [from/via/route] C2C from Great Borne [with] Andy [weather] Sunny
Stephen Littlewood hiked it on August 12th, 2012 [from/via/route] from Buttermere [weather] overcast & windy - ridge walk from Great Borne, Starling Dodd, Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag & Haystacks 17mile round trip
Carl Murphy summited on July 7th, 2012 [from/via/route] great bourne [weather] cloudy,warm
Stephen Byrne, Patrick Rogozinski, Alex Jones, Jenny Godfrey, Melanie Dunn, Adrian Roberts, John Walter, Alan Fowler, Steven Woodroffe, Louise Sandwith, Jonathan Tobin, Patricia Dilley, Simon Duerden, Gordon Lee, Paul Booth, Linda Mckeogh, Rob Barklamb, Louis Smith, Jeanette Coward, Trevor Williams, Raymond Barnett, Paul Henderson, Libby Burns, John Cuthbert, Stephen Millington and Ray O'hara have all walked, climbed & bagged Starling Dodd.To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Starling Dodd
Crag Fell summit cairn with Great Borne (left), Starling Dodd (centre), Red Pike (Buttermere) and High Stile in the distance
On the ridge between Great Borne and Starling Dodd with Great Gable and Kirk Fell in the distance
Mosedale with Red Pike (Buttermere) (centre left) and Starling Dodd (centre right) beyond from the lower slopes of Hen Comb
*Ennerdale Water (left), Starling Dodd and Great Borne, Loweswater (right of centre), Mellbreak and Crummock Water (right) from Red Pike (Buttermere)
Cairn on the ridge between Sliver Cove Beck and Deep Gill with Ennerdale Water, Great Borne and Starling Dodd beyond
Panorama from Rannerdale Knotts featuring the Haystacks, Buttermere Fells, Starling Dodd and Melbreak across Crummock Water
Tackling the steep bit up Rannerdale Knotts with Starling Dodd across Crummock Water in the background
Climbing the ridge between Sliver Cove Beck and Deep Gill with Ennerdale Water, Great Borne and Starling Dodd beyond
Starling Dodd (left), Red Pike (Buttermere), High Stile and Pillar (right) and Ennerdale Water from the summit of Crag Fell
Ennerdale Bridge, Bowness Knott, Great Bourne, Starling Dodd, Red Pike (Buttermere), High Stile and Pillar sourrounding Ennerdale Water from the summit of Crag Fell
Climbing the steep bit up Rannerdale Knotts with Starling Dodd, Hen Comb and Melbreak across Crummock Water in the background
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