Rosthwaite to Watendlath via Stonethwaite and Dock Tarn

Weather on the Fells can change rapidly ... up-to-date weather on 0870 0550575

There is a small car park down the narrow lane off to the right from the main Borrowdale Road, when heading into Borrowdale from Keswick, just before the road narrows. There is also a small parking area available in the grounds of the Community Hall next to the pay-and-display car park.

Return to the Borrowdale road, cross over and go down the lane to the right, opposite to, the bus-stop. Cross over Stonethwaite Beck, then right onto the footpath alongside the beck. 
(photo:  Anna on the way to Stonethwaite)

Continue on the footpath, turning right where a footpath joins from the left, coming down from Brund Fell. The path continues alongside a dry-stone, passing Stonethwaite village to the right.
(photo:  Eagle Crag ahead)

Not too long after passing the track from Stonethwaite village, take the obscured unmarked path off to the left up to the left of High Crag.  The path tracks diagonally left-to-right to a wall crossing, then moves uphill to a stile close to waterfalls of the outflow from Dock Tarn.   Cross the stile, then start the steep climb up through the woods on the constructed stone path.
(photo:  Eagle Crag and Langstrath from the top of the footpath)

 The path exits to give stunning views up Borrowdale (right) and down to Eagle Crag and Langstrath (left). The path now heads inland winding its way around to Dock Tarn, with Green Comb up to the right.
(photo:  Anna and Clare just clearing another hurdle!)

There are two paths to choose from here, one above and left paralleling Dock Tarn, the other along the rocky left shore of Dock Tarn. Both paths, however, meet at the northern end of the Tarn.
(photo:  Passing along the shores of Dock Tarn)

Continue on the path from the northern end of the Tarn to reach the drop down into the valley between Brund Fell and Great Crag. First glimpse of Watendlath Tarn now, with views of Skiddaw and Blencathra on a clear day!  Descend down the steep path and through the gate at the bottom.
(photo: First view of Watendlath)

 The path continues along the valley area over to Watendlath, but avoid the path off to the left about half-way to Watendlath.
(photo:  And zooming in on Watendlath)

The Tarn is a good place for lunch/rest, assuming the weather is favorable.
(photo:  About to reach Watendlath .... sadly the NT cafe was closed!)

From Watendlath, take the cobbled path going up (west), with the conifers to the left and Brund Fell to the right. After a gentle ascent, the path levels out and crosses over to above Borrowdale.
(photo:  View of Borrowdale with Seathwaite Valley beyond)

Cross through a gate, then start the drop down to Rosthwaite.
(photo:  Glint of sunshine between Great Gable (right) and Great End (left))

Avoid the first paths off to the right until a path at the bottom, again off to the right through a gate.  Pass through and follow the path down right, then left as it eventually arrives at the lane near the bridge over Stonethwaite Beck, the one crossed at the start of the walk. 
(photo:  Rosthwaite with the Central Fells beyond)

  Turn right over the bridge back to the Borrowdale road, then back to the car park.
(photo:  Looking up Borrowdale in the Keswick direction)