Stonethwaite Bridge, Dock Tarn, Watendlath Tarn and Puddingstone Bank Loop

This medium-grade loop above Borrowdale packs a lot into roughly 8 km / 5 miles, with about 400 m / 1,310 ft of ascent. The route starts near Stonethwaite Bridge, Stonethwaite, Borrowdale, Keswick CA12 5XG, just south of Rosthwaite in the central Lake District, and climbs quickly from valley pasture into rougher fell terrain before linking Dock Tarn, Watendlath Tarn, and the old crossing at Puddingstone Bank. Expect a walk that feels bigger than its mileage suggests: the ascent from Stonethwaite is steep in places, the ground around the tarns can be wet and peaty, and the return leg mixes open fell views with a more forgiving descent on established paths and bridleways. (leaney.org)

The opening section is usually the most demanding. From the bridge and hamlet, the path heads up beside Willygrass Gill, climbing through deciduous woodland and then out onto the fellside around Lingy End. Although the total route is only moderate in length, this first 1.5 to 2 km / 1 to 1.25 miles does much of the hard work, gaining height rapidly on a stony, sometimes rooty path. After rain, the combination of slick rock, mud, and runoff from the gill can slow progress considerably, so boots with solid grip are a better choice than light road-to-trail footwear. (ratedtrips.com)

Climb to Dock Tarn

Once above the trees, the route opens out into classic Lakeland fell country: heather, rough grass, scattered rock, and increasingly wide views back down the Borrowdale valley. Dock Tarn sits at about 400 m / 1,312 ft above sea level, tucked into moorland below Great Crag, and it is one of the most atmospheric points on the circuit. The tarn is small, irregular, and often edged by boggy ground, so even in drier weather it is worth watching foot placement near the shoreline and on the approach paths. In mist, this area can feel surprisingly featureless despite the nearby crags, so carrying the route on HiiKER is especially useful here. (en.wikipedia.org)

This is a good place to pause for a weather check. If cloud is dropping or wind is strengthening, the exposed ground between Dock Tarn and Watendlath can feel much more serious than the distance suggests. The route itself is not technical, but wet peat, shallow standing water, and indistinct trods can make navigation slower than expected.

Watendlath Tarn and the old route over Puddingstone Bank

From Dock Tarn, the loop trends toward Watendlath Tarn and the hamlet of Watendlath, descending into a landscape that feels greener, more enclosed, and more pastoral. Watendlath is a long-established upland farming settlement, now owned by the National Trust, and sits at around 863 ft / 263 m above sea level. The tarn, stone walls, farm buildings, and packhorse bridge give this section a distinctly historic character, reflecting centuries of movement between Borrowdale and the higher eastern valleys. Heritage records note Watendlath as a main routeway leading from the hamlet onto the unenclosed fellside toward the Thirlmere side, which helps explain why crossings such as Puddingstone Bank remain such important waypoints on modern walking routes. (en.wikipedia.org)

The path from Watendlath toward Puddingstone Bank climbs again, though less brutally than the initial ascent from Stonethwaite. This section can be wet underfoot, with soft patches and occasional pooling after prolonged rain. From the broad col at Puddingstone Bank, the route turns back toward Borrowdale on an old bridleway line with excellent views. On clearer days, this is one of the best stretches for looking back across the folds of the valley and toward the surrounding fells. The descent then eases toward Hazel Bank, Rosthwaite, and back to Stonethwaite Bridge, usually on more obvious tracks and lanes. (keswick.org)

Nature on this walk changes noticeably with altitude. The lower valley around Stonethwaite includes woodland and enclosed pasture, while the higher ground near Dock Tarn is more open and moorlike. Stonethwaite Woods are part of a protected site, and the Borrowdale area is well known for