Middle Dodd is rarely climbed for its own sake, being merely a stop on the road to Red Screes. The nose of the fell provides the obvious route, starting from either Kirkstonefoot or Cow Bridge. This is unremittingly steep, but even harsher gradients can be found by making a pathless ascent from Red Pit on the Kirkstone road. A direct route contouring from Scandale Pass is also possible, but most would proceed via Red Screes from this point.