Dock Tarn, Stonethwaite Fell - Coast to Coast
More Articles in the Rosthwaite to Grasmere subsection
Dock Tarn, Stonethwaite Fell
Dock Tarn, Stonethwaite - Coast to Coast
Dock Tarn rests on the flank of Stonethwaite Fell, separated from Watendlath Fell by the descending ridge of Black Knott, which originates at Low Saddle — a 656m Nuttall on Coldbarrow Fell. Alfred Wainwright described Dock Tarn as “a jewel deserving a sweeter name.”
Roughly 300 by 200 metres in size, this secluded tarn is home to aquatic life including fish, dragonflies, and a variety of water flora. Several small islands dot the surface, including a central islet bearing a few hardy mountain ash.
Although the Coast to Coast path passes half a mile below, near Stonethwaite Bridge, a steep side path climbs through woodland beside Willygrass Gill and leads directly to the tarn. Dock Tarn lies east of Huddleston’s Shop, and below it, the Stonethwaite Beck flows northward to meet the River Derwent. Across the valley, Bull Crag and Alisongrass Crag rise above the far bank.
Dock Tarn and Black Knott
Dock Tarn nestles in a soft upland hollow beneath the dark crags of Black Knott. The view north shows its largest island, crowned with windswept mountain ash. Part of a recognised wetland habitat, the tarn is ringed by a watery path from Puddingstone Bank that traces the base of Great Crag’s eastern slope.
Dock Tarn Wetland Stonethwaite Fell
The upland wetlands of Stonethwaite Fell stretch out around Dock Tarn, with only crags like Black Knott and Great Crag rising above the mire. This view, taken from the south end, shows the tarn’s long profile, drained by Willygrass Gill as it descends to meet Stonethwaite Beck.
Great Crag Path Stonethwaite Fell
A rugged ascent over steep stone steps leads to Great Crag (440 m), a Wainwright fell northwest of Dock Tarn. This section of path, near the tarn itself, approaches from Puddingstone Bank, with the dark crags of Black Waugh rising in the background.
Bessyboot above Stonethwaite Wood
From the upper path near Dock Tarn, Willygrass Gill curves toward the ravine edge before plunging into the woods below. Across the valley, the bluff of Bessyboot (550 m) rises prominently above the north wall of Stonethwaite.
Willygrass Gill Below White Crag
Willygrass Gill descends steeply from Dock Tarn, carving a small ravine below White Crag before joining Stonethwaite Beck near Huddleston’s Shop. Its final stretch tumbles through woodland opposite Bull Crag.
Hiking the Coast to Coast trail guide
Hiking the Coast to Coast is a digitally enhanced eBook designed to accompany you on your journey along the Coast to Coast path. Available on Apple Books for iPhone, iPad and Mac, the guide includes:
• Mapping with interactive features
• Step-by-step route directions
• Hundreds of colour photographs
• Route conditions in different weather
• Historical and cultural points of interest
Whether you’re planning your trip or already on the trail, it’s a practical and beautifully illustrated resource to carry with you.
