Skiddaw
United Kingdom
You will catch glimpses here and there of this more rounded, less scary, Big Brotherish mountain as we drive along as it is the fourth highest mountain in the Lakes. When you see it, you will understand why, when the Lakes first began to attract tourists back in the 19th century, it was to Keswick, and the peak of Skiddaw in particular, that many of them would visit. Every mountain has its legends and stories so when Skiddaw comes in to view, you will hear tales of poets and picknicks, Waterloo celebrations and the antics of folk on motorbikes, even army vehicles in the last war.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to the formidable presence of Skiddaw, the massive giant that looms over the town of Keswick and dominates the northern horizon of the Lake District. As your scholarly guide, I must first correct a common point of…
Listen in the app2Jenkin Hill: The Pilgrim's Path
Our ascent begins on the Jenkin Hill Bridleway, the primary route for those approaching Skiddaw from Keswick. This path is 'very steep' and 'stony,' a 'test on the calves' that begins almost immediately. …
Listen in the app3Little Man: The Secondary Peak
As we reach the top of Jenkin Hill, the path levels off slightly before the final push toward Skiddaw Little Man. This peak is often overlooked in the haste to reach the main summit, but it is a Wainwright in its own right and…
Listen in the app4Skiddaw Man: The Summit and the Wind Shelter
We have reached the summit of Skiddaw, traditionally known as Skiddaw Man. The summit is a broad, 'stony' ridge marked by a trig point and a large circular wind shelter. …
Listen in the app5Bakestall and the Dead Crags
Heading north from the summit, we follow a fence line that 'will take us right to the top' of Bakestall. This is one of the more 'quiet' and 'less popular' routes on the Skiddaw massif, offering a sense of solitude that is hard…
Listen in the app6Ullock Pike and the Longside Edge Ridge
Descending from the main massif toward the west, we reach the spectacular ridge of Longside Edge, leading to the summits of Long Side and Ullock Pike. This is widely considered the best part of the Skiddaw loop, a 'craggy…
Listen in the app7The Valley Walk and Cockup Gill
The final stage of our Skiddaw loop takes us through the fields and woods of the valley floor, following a 'low-level path' that completes the circuit. This is a transition from the 'roundy' northern fells to the 'wooded' and…
Listen in the app8Closing
Our scholarly journey across the Skiddaw massif draws to a close. We have analyzed the ancient Skiddaw Slates, tackled the 'very steep' Jenkin Hill, stood at the 'shrouded' summit, and traversed the spectacular ridge of Longside…
Listen in the app
What is Skiddaw?
Skiddaw is a place in United Kingdom with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Type | Nature |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 54.6514, -3.1478 |
| Last updated |