Skiddaw Group Walks | Join a Walk
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Elevation
930m
3,052 ft
Prominence
706m
Coordinates
54.6514, -3.1478
NY260290
OS Map
89 90
Explorer: OL4S
At the summit, you'll find a large trig point and a stone shelter, perfect for that classic peak photo (or just huddling from the wind).
Skiddaw is primarily formed from ancient mudstones and slates, belonging to the Skiddaw Group. These geological features date back almost 500 million years, making the mountain a fascinating piece of Earth's history.
From the summit, you can enjoy spectacular views of the surrounding Lake District, including Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, and even the distant peaks of the Scottish Highlands on a clear day.
The name 'Skiddaw' is believed to derive from Old Norse, meaning 'the seat of the hill', reflecting its prominence in the landscape.
Skiddaw is one of the oldest mountains in the Lake District and has been a favourite among hikers for centuries, drawing those hoping to best its summit.
The Jenkin Hill Path is the most popular route up Skiddaw. Starting from the car park at Latrigg, this route follows a clear and well-maintained path. The ascent begins with a gradual climb past the Hawell Monument, before steepening as you approach Jenkin Hill. From here, the route levels out slightly before the final push to the summit, offering expansive views across the Lake District.
This route starts at the Ravenstone Hotel and ascends via the Ullock Pike ridge. The path ascends steeply through wooded terrain before breaking onto open fellside. The ridge walk offers stunning views over Bassenthwaite Lake and the surrounding fells. The route continues over Long Side and Carl Side before the final ascent to Skiddaw's summit.
Starting from Peter House Farm, this quieter route ascends Skiddaw from the north. It begins with a scenic walk along the Cumbria Way, passing Dash Falls. The climb up Bakestall is steep but offers rewarding views. From Bakestall, the route joins the main ridge leading to Skiddaw's summit, providing a sense of remoteness.
This less-travelled route begins at Keswick, following the Cumbria Way past the Glenderaterra Valley before ascending Lonscale Fell. From here, it joins the main path up Skiddaw. This route is longer than the direct approaches but offers a quieter and more varied ascent with excellent views.
This circular route starts at the Gale Road car park and descends via the remote Skiddaw House. The path initially follows the tourist route before veering off towards Sale How and Skiddaw House, a remote mountain bothy. From there, the route loops back past Dash Falls and rejoins the main path, offering a mix of summit views and solitude.
There is a car park located at the end of the A591 near the village of Millbeck, with additional parking available at the start of the Skiddaw Mountain Path.
Buses from Keswick run regularly to the nearest stops. The closest train station is in Penrith, which connects to local bus services.
Cafés and pubs in Keswick offer refreshments before and after your hike, as well as public toilets available in the town.
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Some common questions about the hills answered
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Skiddaw through the maps
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Skiddaw search or of course create your own walk for Skiddaw
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Skiddaw.
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Skiddaw here
We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible
Grid Ref: NY260290
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