Dock Tarn

Car to lake: 1.75 miles - from Watendlath

Round the lake: 0.5 miles

Time taken: 2 hours - Watendlath to Dock Tarn. Whole walk - Ashness to Dock Tarn, around it and back, 5 hours approx.

I have to admit, until today, despite living within 20 miles for 56 years, I had never heard of this place. Walking round Watendlath Tarn, however, led us along a path which, a sign indicated, would take us to Dock Tarn. It was unthinkable that we wouldn't follow it.

The path to dock Tarn - a 30 minute walk ahead with a short stretch of stiff climbing

After leaving Watendlath, the path leads out onto open fell and gives a choice of keeping right for Rosthwaite or left for Dock Tarn. I can't imagine why I've never heard of it.

Although the route is well indicated, there's nothing to tell you how far away it is and we were prepared for the possibility that it might be three or for miles away and therefore difficult to do in time to get us back down before dark. Fortunately, we met a couple returning from it who assured us it was about half an hour further, and so we pressed on. The ground up here is generally quite wet but a path has been formed with large stones, one in front of the other; they can be a bit awkward but with just a little care all will be well.

The path eventually leads to a small gate, beyond which there is a steep climb for several hundred yards before it levels off to meander between rocky outcrops for maybe a quarter of a mile before reaching the tarn. Shortly after the end of the climb, remember to bear left where the path forks to go either side of a hill.

Our first view of Dock Tarn begged the question; was it worth it?

It's really not much of  a tarn, very small, very calm and rather weedy looking. Following the path around it, such that it is, involves climbing over sometimes quite large boulders and the path is non existent for much of the way. For some reason, we arrived just as a party of a dozen or more walkers were finishing their sandwiches - quite bizarre it was, to see so many people in such a desolate looking spot.

Our second view failed to answer the question!

Frankly, the walk home was the best part of our trip to Dock Tarn, the views being more open and the downhill stretches being very welcome. By now the earlier sunshine was long gone and the day had taken on a greyish aspect. It was, however, reasonably mild and there was no wind so walking conditions were really quite pleasant.

Nice open views from the rocky downhill path back to Watendlath

Debatably not worth going to in its own right, Dock Tarn is probably better visited as part of a circular walk from Rosthwaite.