Route: Carl Side, Skiddaw and Skiddaw Little Man
Area: Northern Lake District
Date of walk: 26th April 2017
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 7.7 miles
Weather: Mostly sunny, cold on top
It was a glorious morning as we parked in small car park of the Underskiddaw Vilage Hall in the attractive village of Millbeck in the north of the Lake District. After walking out of the village we turned off the road to embark on the long climb up to Skiddaw, which is the 4th highest lakeland fell at 3,053 feet. The first part of the climb was up the steep slopes of Doups, though much of the steepness was ironed out by a succession of zigzags in the path
The collar work started just beyond the summit of Carl Side, where a steep and loose path leads up the final slopes of Skiddaw. Seen from a distance, the path looks to be impossibly steep and dangerous, but the perspective is misleading and there are no dangers despite the steepness. We’d planned this walk in a clockwise direction so as to avoid descending this way, which would have been an unpleasant affair
We emerged huffing and puffing on the summit ridge and walked across to the summit. The air was clear and we could see the Isle of Man and Scotland in the distance. From here we made the easy down and up to Skiddaw Little Man, which boasts superb views over Derwent Water and the North West fells
We followed the ‘tourist path’ down the easy slopes of Skiddaw and from there we walked along the lane back to the start, enjoying more wonderful views along the way. It was a superb walk and we felt fortunate to have been out on the fells in such conditions
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Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel in the garden the day before the walk
We stopped the car on the Whinlatter Pass to view today's objective
Underskiddaw Village Hall, where we parked the car
Millbeck
We head up the nursery slopes of Carl Side
Looking back over Keswick and Derwent Water
Braithwaite at the foot of Grisedale Pike
More retrospective views as we climb the zig zag path up Doups...
A glimpse of Skiddaw beyond Carl Side
We arrive at aptly named White Stones
Grisedale Pike, among others
Derwent Water again
Skiddaw Little Man, which will be on our return route
Looking back down the path
Skiddaw Little Man
We can just make out the Isle of Man towards the left of the picture
Summit of Carl Side, with the path up to Skiddaw slanting left
Longside Edge and Ullock Pike, with the Solway Firth and Scotland beyond
Looking west from Carl Side summit
Skiddaw Little Man
Start of the final push to Skiddaw
A frozen Carlside Tarn
Looking back down the path, a gentle gradient which gradually becomes steeper
The foot of Bassenthwaite Lake, and Scotland beyond
Looking back to Longside Edge
At last we reach the summit ridge of Skiddaw and start the 'there and back' stroll to the top
The Solway Firth and Scotland from the summit of Skiddaw
Bassenthwaite Lake
Blencathra...
...and again
We return along the summit ridge
Gilly admiring the view...
...this one
The down and up to our next target, Skiddaw Little Man
After descending in the direction of Blencathra we turn right at the fence below
We follow the line of the fence up to Skiddaw Little Man
Derwent Water and much of lakeland from the summit of Skiddaw Little Man
Panorama of the view from the summit
North western fells
We descend to the cairn ahead
Blencathra again
We join the very easy 'tourist path' which we will follow for the remainder of the descent
Derwent Water...
Panorama from Jenkin Hill - click or tap to enlarge
We pass by the Hawell Monument, a memorial to two Skiddaw shepherds
We reach the end of the tourist path
Looking east towards Great Mell Fell
A treat awaits us at the end of a long descent - a mobile cafe - Bean on The Fells
Suitably refreshed we follow the quiet road back to the start
Applethwaite, where the residents enjoy wonderful views
Approaching Millbeck
Looking across the fields to Derwent Water
Millbeck Towers at the end of a fabulous walk
...and back home, a fabulous sunset to round off the day
