Skiddaw is one of the highest and best known fells in the Lake District, and dominates most views in which it appears, especially within the north western part of the area. Together with it's satellites it has a simple shapeliness that appeals on sight, and which a child might draw if asked to make a picture of a mountain. From Borrowdale round to Bassenthwaite and the north Skiddaw will be present, and it makes the perfect backcloth in every view. Many people are aware of Skiddaw's lack of crags and other surface features such as tarns. As such attractions are often a good reason for climbing any fell they may well tend to visit it less frequently than would otherwise be the case. However because it is one of the elite hills above 3000ft in the area everyone wants to ascend it at least once, and the main routes to it prove the point. The summit is a narrow ridge of slate fragments which persist down the flanks especially to the west where the fine subsidiary ridge of Longside Edge provides the best way to approach Skiddaw itself. This is despite an eroded path grand walking territory, and the narrow crest over Ullock Pike and Long Side overlooks splendid scenery. In fact in terms of looking into the centre of Lakeland this Skiddaw group is as good a place as any, with Skiddaw Little Man perhaps the ultimate viewpoint. Two lesser heights, Latrigg and Dodd which is mostly afforested are deservedly popular. Latrigg is easily visited from Keswick and enjoys a superb view over the town and Derwent Water into Borrowdale. Dodd has several well marked routes of varying length catering for all visitors at Mire House. Skiddaw rises north of Keswick and east of Bassenthwaite Lake with the lonely basin of Skiddaw Forest forming it's eastern boundary. It is well to remember that smooth and docile as the slopes might be, albeit very stony higher up, that the weather conditions here can be very severe. A moderate wind in general could well be a gale on the summit. Treat Skiddaw with respect and it will provide a good day out and what would the view from Derwent Water and many other places be like if it wasn't there? The lonely Skiddaw House in the east is a reminder of days long gone when people earned a living on the fell. Visit the Forest when the heather is in bloom and savour the colour and the scent.

ROUTE ONE. SKIDDAW FROM THE DASH VALLEY VIA BAKESTALL.
3.5 miles 2400ft of ascent. To Bakestall it is 2.25miles 1500ft of ascent.

The farm road to Dash Farm starts opposite Peter House, and where it turns to cross the valley keep ahead along the Skiddaw House supply road. This traverses below the unstable screes and remnants of Dead Crags before ascending to a gate near the top of the prominent Dash Falls. At the gate turn up the path by the fence but preferably leave it higher up to reach Bakestall by a narrow trod above the upper rim of Dead Crags. From the summit cairn rejoin the fence and the path ascending to the top of Broad End where the fence turns left . A short distance along it head slightly to the right (The path is not too distinct for a short distance) before the final ridge takes shape. In clear weather there will be no difficulty, but in mist it can be a little confusing. A possible way back is to follow the broad ridge down over Sale How to Skiddaw House there turning north along the supply road.

ROUTE TWO. SKIDDAW FROM SKIDDAW HOUSE VIA SALE HOW.
2.25 miles 1600ft of ascent. To Sale How it is .75 miles 650ft of ascent.

Sale How rises immediately behind Skiddaw House, and a decent track now follows the ridge up. The main path from Keswick is met below the South Top with Skiddaw Little Man to the left. Ascend right to the undulating slate covered summit ridge until the survey column and view indicator are reached. Skiddaw Little Man and Lonscale Fell make a good round trip descending to Skiddaw House over the Burnt Horse ridge.

ROUTE THREE. SKIDDAW FROM KESWICK VIA LONSCALE FELL AND SKIDDAW LITTLE MAN.
6.25 miles 3150ft of ascent

The mileage and ascent can be reduced by parking at the head of Gale Road behind Latrigg. Take the road by Fitz Park to the Leisure Centre behind which a lane goes up and left to the Carlisle Road. Before the railway bridge a rough lane opposite a housing estate heads towards the fells and crosses over the Keswick by pass. This is Spooney Green Lane which continues as a broad track rounding Latrigg to emerge at the head of Gale Road. A stile on the left gives access to the walkers highway clearly seen above on the slopes of Jenkin Hill. Having noted the beautiful words on the Hawell memorial bravely tackle the ascent. Just before the gradient eases watch for a path on the right by an old wall. This leads to the depression below Lonscale Fell, and a simple ascent to the right on grass is all that remains. If time and energy permits the short detour to the East Peak should be made before returning by the fence and continuing ahead to Skiddaw Little Man. The main path to Skiddaw is crossed at a stile followed by a steady climb to the cairn on Lesser Man a superb viewpoint. The summit of Skiddaw Little Man is a short distance away, and again pause to appreciate what is one of the finest views in the district. Finally follow the fence north west to pick up the main path now on it's final climb to Skiddaw's summit ridge. Consider returning to Keswick over Carl Side and White Stones down to Millbeck.

ROUTE FOUR. SKIDDAW FROM MILLBECK VIA CARL SIDE.
2.5 miles 2875ft of ascent. 1.5miles 2075ft of ascent to Carl Side.

The ascent starts up a short lane west of Mill Beck, and the way continues on a well defined path. This should soon be left for the prominent path seen on the left that climbs steeply up the fellside. Matters ease for a while above the rough defile of Doups before the steady ascent to White Stones is tackled. The prominent quartzite streaked rocks here are quite a surprise, and an excuse to pause and examine them prior to the next section of hard work to Carl Side. Skiddaw now looms large beyond the col containing the small Carlside Tarn. The higher part of the climb to it is not pleasant; the path being badly eroded, and the slate fragments need care. Skiddaw Little Man may be visited on the return turning down right beyond Jenkin Hill just before the gradient steepens. This leads down to Applethwaite Gill and village leaving a short walk along the Allerdale Ramble path to Millbeck.

ROUTE FIVE. SKIDDAW FROM RAVENSTONE VIA ULLOCK PIKE, LONG SIDE AND CARL SIDE. 
4 miles 3100ft of ascent.

A steep path climbs to the south of the Ravenstone Hotel soon bearing left and thankfully easing a little as it continues to climb. The track turns up to the foot of The Edge; though there is the option to take a wider loop on the Allerdale Ramble to include the unusual cluster of rocks with the intriguing name of Watches. There should now be no mistake in following the path up the ridge where some badly needed repairs have recently been made. Ullock Pike is a good top, and the little ridge of Longside Edge beyond the best part of this ascent. A short descent is encountered after Long Side as the path then skirts the head of Southerndale to Carlside Tarn. Carl Side is easily included in the itinary adding little to either the distance or ascent. Now all that remains is the last haul up the slaty eroded slope to Skiddaw.

ROUTE SIX. LATRIGG FROM KESWICK. (Via Brundholme)
3.5 miles 1050ft of ascent.

Latrigg can be easily visited on the way to Skiddaw, and is a very simple ascent from the top of Gale Road. However many people are quite content to make a shorter round with Latrigg as the main objective. The best way is to begin at the old railway station behind the Keswick Hotel, and follow the bridleway along the course of the line as far as the bridge over the Glenderaterra Beck by a linesmens hut; which now contains information about the railway. Opposite the hut a path links with the lane from Threlkeld, and this should be followed left up the hill to Brundholme. At a gate a little beyond turn up the track to the right, and this leads onto the east ridge of Latrigg. Watch for a turn left to retain the ridge by the next gate. Considering the modest elevation the view is excellent, and the grassy top a perfect place to sit down and savour it. Continue ahead to a sharp corner in the path by a seat, and then enjoy the gently graded route down ignoring all short cuts. At the bottom where the track from Gale Road is joined turn left, and it will take you down to Spooney Green Lane and the road to the Leisure Centre or Fitz Park. The full walk is about six miles.

ROUTE SEVEN. DODD FROM MIREHOUSE .
1.75 miles 1300ft of ascent.

Dodd like Latrigg is usually climbed for it's own sake; most likely by people visiting the Mirehouse estate and the cafe at the foot of Skill Beck. Here there is information on various walks in the woods one of which is to the summit of Dodd. The most simple way is to ascend the forest road on the left bank of Skill Beck to the col at Long Doors; where take the branch turning up the bank on the right. This leads directly to the summit path created when the top of the fell was cleared of trees. Far better though is to go up the right side of the stream from the cafe as far as the second forest road. At the time of writing posts with a green ring indicate the summit route. Turn right on this forest road until a path leaves it steeply on the left. This soon eases and provides grand views over Bassenthwaite Lake. The path links with another forest road, but continue ascending until the final reconstructed path to the summit is joined. I hope the marker posts remain because maps will never be able to show all the detail in planted areas such as this, and forest roads and paths are liable to change. Dodd is a fine way to start the ascent of Skiddaw; for across Long Doors a path clearly makes it's way up to White Stones where the route to Carl Side from Millbeck comes in.