YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER
14. CUMBRIA, SKIDDAW
Distance: 7.6 miles/12.2km | Time: 5 hours | Grade: Challenging | Total ascent: 705m
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Reaching an altitude of 931m and occupying a spot on the Lake District’s north-western edge, Skiddaw offers up a tremendous outlook – to the south, a massed army of fells; to the north, Scotland beckons.
And if you’re wondering exactly what you are looking at, a viewfinder identifies the hills that are visible.
Walkers get a leg-up by starting at almost 300m above sea level and then following a wellconstructed path almost all the way to the top. The return route uses less frequented paths across Lonscale Fell.
1. START
Go through the gate at the top of the parking area and turn left – signposted to Skiddaw. Bear left at a fork beyond a gate, soon passing a stone memorial to shepherds Edward Hawell and his son Joseph, who were 19th-century, prize breeders of Herdwick sheep.
The climb proper begins after the next gate. All the while, to the west, the view of a line of high fells steadily unfurls, stretching from Grisedale Pike in the north to Bow Fell in the south.
2. 1.8 MILES
The ascent might seem endless, but the gradient eventually eases and you reach a gate on Jenkin Hill. You will return to this point but, for now, go through this gate and, later, a second gate.
A river of stones now climbs to a cairn at the southern end of Skiddaw’s bare and often windswept summit plateau. It’s a short walk north to the trig pillar, shelter and toposcope – a chance for a breather and an opportunity to appreciate exactly why England’s fourth-highest hill is such a good viewpoint.
3. 3.1 MILES
From the top, return to the gate on Jenkin Hill at waypoint two. Go through and turn left, striding out across grassy moorland. The path isn’t always obvious, but the fence on your left acts as a guide. Later, a faint trail briefly swings away from this reassuring presence to reach Lonscale Fell’s summit cairn. It then drops to a fence corner.
4. 5.6 MILES
Cross the fence and turn right, following it downhill. The hills straight ahead form part of a long ridge leading to Helvellyn.
5. 6.4 MILES
Reaching the track at the bottom of the slope will come as relief for tired knees. Turn right to cut easily across Lonscale Fell’s lower slopes and later ford Whit Beck. The outward route is rejoined just before a gate. Go through and follow the path beside the fence to reach the gates at the end of Gale Road.
USEFUL INFO
Starting point The parking area at the end of Gale Road, CA12 4NG, is about 1.5 miles north of Keswick and reached via road signposted to Underscar from A591. There is no public transport.
Terrain The constructed path is often stony. The route crosses through moorland and there is a rough trail on the steep descent. The track along the base of fell is good.
Map OS Explorer OL4
Eat/drink There are lots of restaurants and pubs to choose from in nearby Keswick.
Stay Lyzzick Hall Hotel at the foot of Skiddaw has beautiful mountain views, a spa and an extensive private grounds. 01768 772 277, lyzzickhall.co.uk
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