Climbing Skiddaw from Keswick is the most popular route up the mountain. It is a straightforward walk on good tracks although I have varied the traditional descent here to make it a circular option. An excellent and safe option in snowy conditions.
Climbing Skiddaw is in the family. My mother used to take this walk up Skiddaw (3,052′) as an evacuee during the war. It still remains very popular today. However she did have the advantage of being able to stop and refresh at the infamous half way hut (long since disappeared). Climbing Skiddaw from Keswick is certainly the most straight forward route up one of the Lake District 3,000 footers. This is mainly due to the wide path and a consistently steady gradient. It is not hard. The views are superb both down Borrowdale to the south and over in to the wilder land that are Back o’ Skidda.
The descent on this walk improves the day immeasurably. An awkward start (from the summit) down a slate path improves after dropping to a small, exquisite tarn on the col with Carl Side. From here the ridge down to Millbeck is excellent, a good quick track with views over the fells of Derwentwater spread out ahead.
The photos were taken on a winter walk which was a superb way of enjoying this walk!
There are a number of smaller Wainwrights that dot around Skiddaw which are easy to tick off for any bagger on this walk. They are here: Little Man (2837′), Carl Side (2420′), Long Side (2405′), Lonscale Fell 2344′), Ullock Pike (2230′), Dodd (1612′), and of course Latrigg (1203′).
The main difficulty is finding the path on the summit ridge that drops down towards the tarn. It is a quarter of a mile from the trig point and before you reach the south end of the summit ridge. Because it is on slate it is difficult to spot.
Can anyone tell me if it is easy to get lost on the way to the summit of skiddaw? do you need to have good navigational skills?
Hi Adele, it is always good to be able to read a map and take one with you. On this walk the cloud can come down quickly but the good thing it is a good obvious path all the way to the summit.
What toilet facilities are available for walkers on the route up Skidaw?
None, plenty of stone walls is your best bet
None apart from bushes and walls, next you’ll be asking if there’s a cafe at the summit or childcare facilities! It’s a mountain for goodness sake.
Is the there a bus route that takes you to the start or the climb?
You are best starting from Keswick, it is difficult to organize a bus that gets you any closer.
Just wondering if it’s possible to walk the two mountains blencathra and skiddaw in one route??
Yes but hard work as the drop in to Glenderamackin is very low, it is almost two separate climbs.
hi , just wondering how long of a walk this is generally to the peak , thanks 🙂
It really depends how fit you are. From Keswick it may be 3 hours up and a couple down.
64F here. Round trip for me from Helvellyn St in Keswick took 4hr 45min including a several stops for lunch, photos, and bird watching. I generally walk fast but the steep switchbacks at the beginning slowed me way down and my calves felt it. I wore trail running shoes and was glad for it.
Hello, could you tell me if this walk is dog friendly? Many thanks!
Yes, fine for a dog, no stiles.
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