Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
Amid what is a National crisis over a nasty chest infection outbreak all facets
of normal life have changed it seems overnight. The gloom and doom over Covid
that was beamed 24x7 to our TV screens became just a bit too much to endure, the
only solution being to escape to Gods country and an 8 mile jaunt from Hartsop to
Brock Crags and The Nab via Rest Dodd. In parts very challenging terrain especially
from Rest Dodd to The Nab, but the perfect remedy for forgetting all the woes of
the World if only for 6 hours or so
The approach to the car park just off the A592 - certainly made us laugh !!
Parking is limited but free, with an honesty box at the Southern end of the car park
in order to make a donation towards maintenance
Through the gate we set off down the stony track that leads to Hayeswater
Through the gate and keep on the track until you reach a cattle gride
At the cattle grid take the left fork that climbs gently towards
the old Hayeswater Pumphouse
The old Pumphouse. Approximately 100 yards beforehand, take the wide grass track
on the left that doubles back from the direction you have just come
The grass track starts to climb gently across the base of Brock Crags
Looking towards St Sunday Crag
The path continues on till it reaches a broken stone wall. Approximately 100 yards
past the wall, the path doubles back on itself and starts to climb more steeply across
the Southern face of Brock Crags. Note !!! - it`s crucial to find the start of this path
as it assists greatly with the steepening climb
The start of the double back path. Use the wall coming down as an assist
to locating the path
Looking across to Pasture Beck and Threshthwaite Mouth right at the top end
of the valley
The path passes through a gap in the stone wall and heads right
up to the shoulder seen here just right of centre
A brief pause on the steep climb to look back and take in the marvellous views
to be had over Brothers Water
Nearly at the top of the shoulder now and soon ready to turn left towards the summit
Hayeswater peeping out from behind the bulk of Gray Crag. The path shown
will be used on our return journey
As we turn left at the top of the shoulder to get on the track leading to the
summit we look across to Rest Dodd on the left which will be the
second port of call for the day
The left turn from the shoulder signifies the end of the steep climb and the trail to
the summit starts to level off now
At the point at which you reach this broken wall, turn immediately
left towards the summit
Following the track that leads to the true summit of Brock Crags
On the true summit of Brock Crags, the smaller height about 300 yards away can
also be visited, its marked with a small cairn. Click here for a 360 degree view
Looking across to the very distictive summit of Catstye Cam
Looking back to Hayeswater and the towering bulk of High Street
Lunch break on the summit and Sue tears herself away from reading the
Brock Crags entry in the Wainwright Guide
The stunning Angle Tarn below Angletarn Pikes
From the summit we then head East to pick up the trail leading to Rest Dodd,
seen here branching off left away from the wall
One of the many tracks that lead up to Rest Dodd
As we get nearer to the summit of Rest Dodd we get our first clear view of The Nab
The reason for climbing up to Rest Dodd now becomes apparent. You can
then follow a good but steep path down to The Nab
The descent is steep but easy to follow
At this point now the path becomes very boggy. Here looking back to Rest Dodd
Heading towards The Nab and as a wise old sage once said ...
"People whose boots let water in will soon become cognisent of that fact"
The whole area around here is part of a conservation area for Red Deer and the
Estate Management request that walkers only use this route as an "out and back"
to avoid disruption / stress to the Deer population
On the summit of The Nab. Click here for a 360 degree view
Looking towards Raise and Rampsgill Head
On our way back to Hartsop and we were so lucky to see this herd
of Red Deer on the upper slopes of Rest Dodd
Back down to Hayeswater now to pick up the path that skirts the base of Gray Crag
The final descent to the car park in Hartsop, at the end of a most welcome
escape to God`s country
