The Skiddaw walk: Top routes, parking, and what to expect
There are two main routes to Skiddaw: The Skiddaw walk from Keswick and the Skiddaw walk from Latrigg car park.
But what exactly do these routes entail? Where can you park? How hard are they? And are there any other routes to the top of Skiddaw?
Keep reading to find out! In this article, we cover everything you need to know about Skiddaw Lake District walks.
The two main routes to Skiddaw at a glance
| Detail | From Keswick | From Latrigg car park |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (round trip) | 10.2 miles / 16.4km | 6.5 miles / 10.5km |
| Total ascent | Approx. 884m / 2,900ft | Approx. 630m / 2,070ft |
| Walk time | Approx. 6 hours | Approx. 4 hours |
| Difficulty | Hard | Moderate |
| Terrain | Wide gravel bridleway, loose slate near the top, loop route with a different descent path | Same bridleway, joined partway up, straightforward out-and-back |
| Parking | Paid parking in Keswick town centre, none if you’re staying in town or got the bus | Small free car park (space for around 15 cars), fills early |
Route 1: Skiddaw from Keswick town centre
Parking: This route starts and finishes in Keswick, so there’s no need to drive near the fell at all. Bringing a car? Any of the town’s paid car parks are suitable (head to the Visit Keswick parking guide for a full list). If you’re staying further afield (like in one of our cottages near Coniston Village), you can skip the car and take the bus! The 505 Coniston Rambler will get you to Ambleside or Windermere, then change to the 555 for Keswick.
The route: Head out past the swimming pool and Fitz Park, over the A66, onto Spooneygreen Lane (which is signed for Skiddaw from the moment you leave town). The bridleway climbs round Latrigg’s flank before joining the main Jenkin Hill path for a long pull past the old halfway hut site and round Skiddaw Little Man to the summit ridge. This route completes as a loop, dropping back into Keswick via a different line rather than retracing your steps.
Top tip: If you want to make the Skiddaw from Keswick walk shorter, simply turn around at the summit and head back down the way you came.
Route 2: Skiddaw from Latrigg car park
Parking: The car park at the top of Gale Road is free, which is exactly why it’s popular. It’s not huge (space for around 15 cars), and it’s the shared starting point for both the Skiddaw and Latrigg trails, so it fills fast at weekends and through summer. Arrive before 9am for a guaranteed space, or you’ll be looking for a verge along Gale Road instead.
The route: Through the gate at the top-end of the car park, follow the sign for Skiddaw and head up the track. You’ll pass the Hawell Monument (a memorial to a family of Skiddaw shepherds) before easing onto the Jenkin Hill bridleway used from Keswick. Then it’s all the way to the summit and back down the same path to the car park.
Other routes and walks to Skiddaw
Keswick and Latrigg car park aren’t the only ways to the top of Skiddaw – Threlkeld, Applethwaite, and Mirehouse all have their own trails to the summit!
Here are some of the other Skiddaw routes to consider:
Skiddaw summit loop from Threlkeld
Parking: Threlkeld itself is a small village, so don’t expect a big car park! There’s some limited roadside space, and you should be considerate of residents. The good news is that Threlkeld sits right on the X4/X5 bus route between Penrith and Workington via Keswick, so plenty of walkers hop off the bus and start from here.
The route: This is the longest route on the list. From Threlkeld, you climb up past Castlerigg Stone Circle and through Latrigg Woods before joining the main path onto Skiddaw’s summit ridge, taking in Little Man along the way. The way back drops past the Hawell Monument to complete the loop.
Top tip: This route is a big day out, so set off early (especially outside the summer months) to avoid racing the light on the way back down!
Skiddaw summit loop from Applethwaite
Parking: Applethwaite is a tiny hamlet just a mile or so from Keswick. There’s a small, free car park at the top of Applethwaite Lane. Handy but popular, so it fills up quickly on good-weather days. If you miss out, the route also passes right by the Gale Road car park partway along, so that’s a solid backup.
The route: This route sends you up and over Carl Side, a steeper, more direct line onto a ridge that rewards you with excellent views over Bassenthwaite Lake. From Carl Side, it’s on to Skiddaw’s summit, then a descent past Little Man and the Hawell Monument. Drop by the Gale Road car park on the way back down to Applethwaite.
Top tip: Do the steep climb over Carl Side first, while your legs are fresh. It makes the whole day feel far more manageable, saving the gentler main bridleway for the way down. You’ll thank yourself later!
Ullock Pike, Long Side, and Skiddaw from Mirehouse
Parking: There’s no dedicated car park at Mirehouse itself, so most walkers either pull in at one of the lay-bys along the A591 or arrive by the X4/X5 bus. You could also park at Dodd Wood car park (be aware of parking charges here!).
The route: From Mirehouse, climb onto Ullock Pike, then follow the narrow, airy Long Side Edge with Bassenthwaite Lake spread out far below. From Long Side Summit, the route joins the main path up to Skiddaw before dropping back down via Carl Side.
Top tip: Long Side Edge is the star of the show here, but it’s narrow with steep descents on either side. Save this one for a calm, clear day and make sure you’re confident with ridge walking before taking it on.
Come back to a cosy Lake District cottage after hiking Skiddaw
There are multiple routes for a Skiddaw hike. Whichever option you choose, you’ll finish feeling accomplished for tackling this epic Lake District fell.
And after a big day out on the fells, nothing beats coming back to a cosy cottage! Browse our Lake District cottages and look forward to relaxing in front of a crackling log fire or soaking in your own private hot tub after reaching the top of Skiddaw.
