Nenthead - The Dodd - Flinty Fell - Nenthead

Alan Anderson

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Of particular appeal to fell-walkers, this walk of two distinct halves visits the two Hewitts of The Dodd and Flinty Fell, hills of equal height located in the Nenthead Hills just west of one of the great watershed ridges of the North Pennines. The route traverses the rugged moorland both sides of the A689 and ends with an interesting journey through the extensive lead-mining workings and museum complex close to Nenthead.

The walk climbs steeply out of Nenthead initially on a mainly surfaced road, before further climbing up a long, steep, stony lane to intersect Black Hill on Coalcleugh Moor. The route then heads north across wild, open moor, passing through a large marshy region to reach the joint highest point of the walk at the summit cairn of The Dodd, located in an area of peat hags. Now the route changes direction, heading west to descend off the summit plateau across rough moorland, before heading down through a small coniferous plantation to leave open access land down grassy fields and intersect a minor metalled road. Further field-walking leads down to a main road.

The second half of the walk starts with a long ascent up and around the eastern slopes of Middle Fell alongside a man-made gully, finally to intersect a minor road. A little road-walking followed by a short trip through a coniferous plantation leads the walker up across open moorland to the summit cairn on Flinty Fell, joint highest point of the route. The walk leaves the summit to intersect and pass the edge of a working sandstone quarry. The final lap is easy downhill walking on the quarry service road as it passes through extensive old lead-mining workings and museum complex before arriving back at Nenthead.

England - North England - Cumbria - North Pennines