Skiddaw

Skiddaw

Skiddaw is a 930.4 m mountain north of Keswick in the Lake District Northern Fells. The familiar Jenkin Hill approach and the quieter northern and western routes offer very different days. A broad path does not remove the risks of high winds, cold or poor visibility.

Summit and landscape

A trig pillar, toposcope and stone shelter stand in the summit area. The Database of British and Irish Hills places the highest rock about 5 m south of the trig pillar, between the pillar and shelter. Several subsidiary tops lie along the ridge, so identify the main summit carefully in cloud. DoBIH

Clear-weather views include Derwent Water, Bassenthwaite Lake and the surrounding Lakeland fells, with distant views towards the Solway Firth and southern Scotland. Visibility is weather-dependent. Keswick Tourism

The Skiddaw Group consists mainly of ancient marine mudstone, siltstone and sandstone. The rocks are chiefly early to middle Ordovician in age and include the slaty rocks familiar around Keswick; their age does not mean the present mountain landform is 500 million years old. British Geological Survey

Route planning

These are planning summaries, not turn-by-turn navigation instructions. Numbers apply only to the itinerary named. Allow for weather, daylight, stops and the slowest member of the group.

• Jenkin Hill with Little Man return: Gale Road to Skiddaw by the main path, returning over Little Man and Lesser Man. WalkLakes gives approximately 10.1 km and 699 m ascent for this variant. The publisher's time is a minimum, so no typical duration is asserted here. Route source
• Ullock Pike from Ravenstone: This western ascent crosses Ullock Pike and Longside Edge to the Carl Side area, followed by steep loose ground to Skiddaw. The descent and return need to be planned. UKHillwalking
• Bakestall from Peter House Farm: Approach Whitewater Dash on the Cumbria Way, then climb Birkett Edge, Bakestall and Broad End to Skiddaw. Returning the same way and descending via Sale How and Skiddaw House make different outings. Choose a complete mapped itinerary; no common distance or duration covers both. Example northern circuit
• Lonscale Fell variants: The Cumbria Way contours below the summit above Glenderaterra. Including the summit requires an additional chosen ascent; some lines are steep and rough. A complete route and descent must be specified before attaching totals. Trail Magazine's longer circuit also includes Little Man, Carl Side and Dodd and is a different itinerary from an unspecified Lonscale ascent. Trail Magazine route
• Skiddaw House and Bakestall circuit: Gale Road to Skiddaw House, Whitewater Dash, Bakestall and Skiddaw, returning over Little Man and Lesser Man by Jenkin Hill. WalkLakes gives approximately 16.8 km and 890 m ascent. Its published time is a minimum; plan your own allowance. This defined circuit does not cross Sale How. Route source

Access and facilities

Gale Road (Latrigg) car park is reached by the minor road above Applethwaite; the car park is small and the road can be icy. Starting from Keswick avoids relying on a high-level parking space. Dodd Wood has a paid car park off the A591 opposite Mirehouse, with toilets and a tearoom. Parking near Peter House Farm is limited; keep access clear and follow local signs. Skiddaw House access, Forestry England

Penrith railway station connects with Keswick by Stagecoach X4/X5 buses. Check the current timetable, exact stop and last return for the route chosen. The high Gale Road car park should not be assumed to have a bus service. Stagecoach

Keswick provides shops, food and public toilets. Skiddaw House is an independent YHA-affiliated hostel accessible on foot or by mountain bike. Book accommodation in advance and check opening arrangements; it is not an open bothy or a guaranteed daytime refuge. Skiddaw House

History and name

The origin of the name is debated; an Old Norse interpretation involving a projecting crag and a hill or mound has been suggested. A definite translation as 'the seat of the hill' is unsupported. The Jenkin Hill path served Victorian pony-borne visitors. UKHillwalking

Skiddaw House dates from around 1829 and originally accommodated a keeper and a shepherd before its later use as a walkers' hostel. Cumbria County History Trust

Safety

The exposed high ground can be difficult to navigate in cloud. Loose slate can be slippery; western approaches include steep slopes and ridges. Northern and eastern circuits pass remote, sometimes wet ground and steep crags. Carry navigation equipment and know how to use it, and take warm waterproof clothing, food, water, a torch and emergency supplies. Mobile reception can be unreliable. Cumbria Wildlife Trust

Snow and ice may require winter skills, an ice axe and crampons. Check the mountain forecast, daylight and conditions, and turn back if the route exceeds your experience. British Mountaineering Council winter advice

Reviewed 15 October 2026. Conditions, access and transport can change.