Starling Dodd

Starling Dodd

Height633m (2,077ft)

Prominence73m (239ft)

RegionWestern Fells

Climbed2 Times

"Starling Dodd is one of those unobtrusive and unassuming fells that are rarely mentioned in literature or in conversation, that never really make an impact on mind or memory, that most visitors know vaguely. Its neat rounded summit surveys exciting landscapes but remains shyly aloof as though aware of its own limited contribution to the scenery." — A. Wainwright

Occupying a quiet position along the ridge separating Ennerdale from Buttermere, Starling Dodd presents a neat, shapely grassy dome atop a broad high ridge. The fell holds a special milestone in Lake District literature: Alfred Wainwright recorded in his concluding notes that Starling Dodd was the very last fell he climbed while researching his famous seven-volume Pictorial Guides.

To the north-east, the fell drops away towards Crummock Water, carved deeply by the ravine of Scale Force. Plunging roughly 100 feet down a narrow rock cleft, Scale Force is celebrated as the highest unbroken single-drop waterfall in the Lake District.

The summit

The smooth, grassy summit area features a distinctive cairn uniquely constructed from iron posts and fence fittings salvaged from the historic Ennerdale Fence. From the top, views open out over Ennerdale Water, alongside glimpses of Crummock Water and Loweswater.

Trip Reports

Great Borne & Starling Dodd26/03/2017

A Tour of Ennerdale19/04/2015

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