| Rising to the North of Keswick, Skiddaw at 3054 | | | | South - a path ascends in a north easterly |
| feet is one of the most popular objectives for | | | | direction up a steep slope leaving the trees and |
| the walker based in the northern Lake District. | | | | doubling back to climb the ridge to the South. This |
| The mountain may lack the ruggedness of Scafell | | | | path is followed up the steep ascent to Ullock Pike |
| or Great Gable but England's fourth highest peak | | | | which rewards the walker with wonderful views |
| provides a wide variety of routes to its summit | | | | across Bassenthwaite over the West Cumbria |
| and - away from the popular paths - a sense of | | | | Plain to the Galloway Hills in Scotland. |
| isolation not often found in the Lake District. Here | | | | The Longside Edge Route is considerably quieter |
| I'll outline a couple of ways to the top of Skiddaw | | | | than the Tourist Route but also a longer outing at |
| beginning with the popular tourist route. | | | | roughly 8 miles return and about 3300 feet of |
| Most people climbing Skiddaw will do so by this | | | | climbing but for a real feeling of remoteness head |
| route which begins at the Latrigg car park | | | | north from the summit to the next bump on the |
| reached up the minor road from near the A66 | | | | ridge - the North Summit - and continue down the |
| roundabout at Keswick. The road is actually the | | | | ridge ahead. A faint but intermittent path can be |
| first right off the A591 from there. The way is | | | | picked up in places and followed to a grassy |
| obvious leading on a wide track from the top end | | | | depression known as the North Col. From here |
| of the car park and veering off up to the left - | | | | follow the broad ridge down bending gradually |
| the right track going to Skiddaw House Youth | | | | more to the West where a more obvious path is |
| Hostel. | | | | seen. The route curves back round more to the |
| I wouldn't recommend this way on a weekend in | | | | South across the steep face of Skiddaw before |
| the holidays as the world and all his dogs will be | | | | descending to the remote Barkbethdale and |
| there but I recently did the route with my 11 | | | | crossing Southerndale to regain the low ridge |
| year old son on a not so busy day and enjoyed it | | | | from where we set off up Ullock Pike. |
| immensely. I first did the route aged 7 or 8 and | | | | From Ullock Pike's summit, a narrow grassy ridge |
| Skiddaw was my first Lakeland summit so if | | | | known as Longside Edge curves around towards |
| you're taking kids or just want the easiest way | | | | the East traversing the fell called Long Side to end |
| up without the risk of getting lost then this is for | | | | up just north of Carl Side which is worth visiting |
| you. The summit view from Skiddaw - weather | | | | for the wider view its top gives. This is one of |
| permitting - is just as good whichever way you | | | | the best walks in the area with Keswick and |
| climb the mountain. | | | | Derwentwater coming into view with the |
| The way requires few directions as the path is | | | | mountains of the Central Lakes beyond as its end |
| wide and clear throughout. After the initial steep | | | | is reached. The ridge has no difficulties not being |
| slopes you will cross a more level area with views | | | | narrow enough to fall off and being on grass all |
| over to the northern side of Skiddaw to the | | | | the way. Heading once more to the North East, a |
| empty hills known as Skiddaw Forest. The path | | | | path leaves the pleasant grassy slopes to ascend |
| here forks near a stile - to the right is the main | | | | steep scree to Skiddaw's south top. This section |
| way to Skiddaw while left will also take you there | | | | is harder work but it's only another 600 feet or |
| via Skiddaw Little Man, its subsidiary peak. This is | | | | 200m of ascent, with the main summit of |
| well worth ascending and i'ts best to go up one | | | | Skiddaw a short distance to the North along the |
| way and to return by the other - I suggest | | | | easy summit ridge. |
| returning over Skiddaw Little Man. The last part is | | | | This descent has plenty of opportunities for |
| again steep to the summit but the far reaching | | | | getting lost so don't try it in bad weather unless |
| views make up for the effort. | | | | you know the area well but in clear conditions the |
| From the western side of the mountain near to | | | | circuit is one of my favorite Lakeland walks. Even |
| shores of Bassenthwaite Lake there is a longer | | | | then I would take a map and compass - or a GPS |
| but much more interesting ascent of Skiddaw. | | | | if you trust the batteries not to run out - as |
| From near the Ravenstone Hotel - or alternatively | | | | paths are faint and a mistake could leave you a |
| walk along the forest trails from the Osprey | | | | very long walk home! |
| Centre car park at Dodd Wood a mile to the | | | | |