Skiddaw

Skiddaw is one of those Lake District walks that feels big from the moment you set off. Rising above Keswick like it owns the place, it’s a proper mountain day out with a steady start, a long pull onto the ridge, and wide-open summit views that make the effort feel entirely justified. This route heads up from Keswick by way of Latrigg and Skiddaw Little Man, then returns via Lonscale Fell, making for a hard but very rewarding circuit of around 18.2 km with 1129 m of climbing.

I started by parking near the dual carriageway in Keswick, which makes for an easy getaway at the end of the day and saves messing about trying to squeeze into town-centre spaces. From there, it’s a simple walk to cross the bridge and pick up the path heading for the lower slopes. It doesn’t take long before Keswick starts to fall away behind you and the shape of the day becomes obvious: up, then more up, then a bit more up for good measure.

Skiddaw from Keswick: the climb via Latrigg

The first part of the walk is a steady climb towards Latrigg, and it’s a cracking way to ease into the route. The paths here are generally clear and well-used, with that pleasant feeling of leaving the bustle behind without being thrown straight into leg-burning steepness. Looking back, you get lovely views over Keswick, Derwentwater and the surrounding fells, which is a decent excuse to stop for a breather if needed. Not that I’d ever need an excuse, obviously.

Latrigg itself is a fine viewpoint in its own right, and on a clear day it gives you one of the best quick panoramas in the area. It also marks the point where the walk begins to feel more mountainous. Beyond here, the route continues upward on broader paths, with the bulk of Skiddaw looming ahead and the summit ridge slowly drawing you in.

What I like about this approach is how naturally it builds. There’s no daft scrambling, no awkward route-finding, and very little in the way of boggy nonsense either, which is always welcome in the Lakes. It’s just a straightforward, honest climb that lets you settle into a rhythm and get on with the business of heading uphill.

Skiddaw Little Man and the pull to the summit

After Latrigg, the route continues on to Skiddaw Little Man, and this is where the walk starts to feel properly high. The path remains obvious, but the gradient begins to bite more, especially if you’ve set off with too much enthusiasm from Keswick. Skiddaw Little Man is a brilliant waypoint though, with a stony top and far-reaching views that already feel summit-worthy, even if the main event still sits further on.

From Skiddaw Little Man, the broad ridge leads on towards the summit of Skiddaw itself. The final climb is a bit of a grind in places, but it’s never complicated. This is a mountain that demands stamina more than technical ability, and if you keep plugging away, the summit eventually arrives with that satisfying sense that you’ve earned it properly.

The top of Skiddaw is spacious, airy and, depending on the day, either gloriously peaceful or full of fellow walkers peeling on windproofs and rummaging for snacks. I stopped here for lunch, which felt entirely deserved after the long ascent. On a good day, the views are immense: across Derwentwater, over to Blencathra, and deep into the heart of the Lake District. It’s the sort of summit that makes you sit a little longer than planned, partly for the scenery and partly because your legs know exactly what’s coming next.

Descending Skiddaw via Lonscale Fell

Rather than simply retracing steps, this route descends Skiddaw via Lonscale Fell, which gives the walk a more rounded feel and adds fresh scenery for the way down. After the summit, you head back along the ridge before branching off onto the line that drops towards Lonscale. It’s a good descent route, giving you a different angle on the mountain and a chance to enjoy the open fellside without feeling like you’re just rewinding the day.

Lonscale Fell has a quieter feel than the main summit route, and after the busier top of Skiddaw, that’s no bad thing. The terrain is still straightforward, with clear enough paths and lovely views back towards the mountain you’ve just climbed. It’s one of those descents that lets you reflect a bit, assuming your knees aren’t too busy complaining.

As the route drops lower, the path gradually leads you back towards the outskirts of Keswick and eventually to where you started near the dual carriageway. By this stage, you’ve had a full-value mountain day: a proper climb, a famous summit, and a descent that keeps things interesting right to the end. For a hard Lake District walk with big views and a satisfyingly direct line, this Skiddaw hike from Keswick is hard to beat.

What to expect on this Skiddaw hike

This is a hard walk, mainly because of the distance and the amount of ascent rather than anything especially tricky underfoot. At 18.2 km with 1129 m of elevation gain, it asks a fair bit of your legs, and the exposed upper slopes can feel serious if the weather turns. In good conditions, though, it’s a very accessible big mountain route, with clear paths and obvious landmarks all the way from Keswick to Latrigg, Skiddaw Little Man and the summit.

The bog factor is low, which is always a pleasant surprise for a Lake District outing. Most of the route is on well-trodden paths, stony tracks or dry fellside, so this is more of a slog than a squelch. Good boots still help, especially on the descent via Lonscale Fell, where tired feet are more likely to catch you out than the terrain itself.

If you’re after a classic Skiddaw walk that starts right from Keswick and bags a proper well-known summit without any faff, this route does the job beautifully. It’s simple, scenic and unapologetically uphill, which, in my book, is often the best sort of day.