Book 5 includes all the lands to the to the north of the A66 at Keswick. The correctly lauded mountains of Skiddaw and Blencathra dominate the area. However it is the quiet rolling fells further north that are attracting more an more walkers after peace and tranquility.
Book 5 is dedicated to ‘The Solitary Wanderers of the Fells’.
Skiddaw is very much Keswick's mountain. It dominates the area to the north and is one of the four Lake District 3,000 foot mountains. The graceful lines are a photographer's dream.
Summit grid ref:
NY 260 290
Best routes:
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Explorer OL4
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Wainwright - Northern Fells
A magnificent mountain dominating the drive towards Keswick. The many ridges on its southern flank looks as though a hand has scooped them out. It promises and delivers many excellent climbs. To the hidden north is a large rarely unwalked wilderness.
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Part of the graceful lines of Skiddaw is the outline of Skiddaw Little Man. It is seen to the east of the main summit and in many views appears larger than the slightly set back main summit.
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Carl Side is always worth the short climb for its magnificent views south over Borrowdale. It is to the south west of Skiddaw on the long Ullock Pike Ridge.
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Long Side lies to the west of Skiddaw on the long Ullock Pike ridge.
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The east facing cliffs of Lonscale Fell are most impressive seen from the slopes of Blencathra. Most often though it is climbed as an after thought on the normal Skiddaw Climb.
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Bowscale Fell is part of the group of mountains to the north and east of Blencathra. It is best known for the delectable tarn to its north, a popular place in Victorian times.
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Explorer OL5
An excellent fell to the north of the watershed at Skiddaw House. The path up is always tempting and rewarding partly for the views south to St John's in the Vale, perfectly framed by Skiddaw ad Blencathra.
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Bannerdale Crags is a long grassy ridge running north south to the north east of Blencathra. However the dramatic crags to the north are its best feature.
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Strictly the start of the long ridge to the west of Skiddaw which overlooks Bassenthwaite Lake. The views are good to Skiddaw itself and to the north and Scotland.
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The northern shoulder of Skidday ends dramatically at Dead Crags near Dash Falls. Bakestall marks the point you can go o further.
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Carrock Fell overlooks Mosedale and is on the eastern part of the Northern Fells. There is a bronze age fort on its summit and some tiresome course on its southern slopes.
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High Pike has a fine view to the north most noteworthy known as Chris Bonnington's fell. He used it to train for his Everest expeditions, maybe why there is a bench on the summit!
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Wainwright- Northern Fells
Not really Great. However this Sca Fell is at the heart of a lonely walk amongst these rounded mountains to the north of the Lake District. And there lies its appeal.
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Often described as the most pointless Wainwright I quite enjoy Mungrisedale Common. It is on a wide shoulder attached to the north of Blencathra.
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A small rise in the ridge Brae Fell faces north towards the Solway Furth. It is right on the northern fringes of the Lake District.
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Just to the west of Great Sca Fell Maeal Fell is an uninspiring lump of moor. Nothing noteworthy it is tagged on a walk with other of the Northern Fells.
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A fine name for an interesting mid sized fell to the north west of the Skiddaw massif. Dash Falls lie on its southern flanks.
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Souter Fell is a broad grassy ridge lying on the eastern fringes of Blencathra overlooking the village of Mungrisedale. Allegedly it is the home of the 'Spectral Army'.
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A bald headed mountain on the lower slopes of Skiddaw with excellent views down Borrowdale. The impregnable forest surrounding the bald summit does offer a climbing challenge.
NY 244 272
Longlands Fell is on the northern fringes of the Lake District, best known for the impressive views north.
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Binsey is a distinctive site with a uniform cone shape seen from the shores of Bassenthwaite. There is an iron age fort remains on the summit and the views across the Solway Furth can be impressive.
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Beloved by many Latrigg is many intrepid mountaineers first summit. Overlooking Keswick the southern slopes look impressive but most find their way to 'cheats' car park to the north.
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