Maps and route of ascent and descent of Skiddaw
Not very extreme but a bit of a slog getting up to the ridge just below Skiddaw Little Man. Beware the descent from Skiddaw via Carl Side is not for those with dodgy knees. It is a very steep descent from Carl Side and seems to keep getting steeper until just before getting to the road and the route back to the carpark. The car park is very handy for starting the ascent but I would get there early to ensure a place especially during busy periods. I got there at 10am in March and it was probably three quarters full. This route takes in three Wainrights Little Man, Skiddaw and Carl Side. There are a couple of others nearby if you feel up to it Latrigg and Lonscale Fell. The route up is a bit of a three lane motorway until reaching a gate where the path forks take the narrower one to the left for Little Man, the route through the gate, the direct route to Skiddaw. The route to Little Man first attains a peak then a col and then onto Little Man. It is worth the effort and depending on the weather, many fine views, especially down to Keswich and across to the Scafell Massif. The route off Little Man descends alongside a wooden post fence then joins up with the main path just where the fence turns right. The path then takes an easy ascent onto the Skiddaw ridge with the actual summit being a trig point. From here there are some tremendous views across to the Irish Sea and north to the Solway Firth. There are a number of options for descent but the two I know are either to track back along the ridge until an obvious path bears off to the right and descends a scree slope to a small tarn just short of Carl Side summit. The other is to follow the main path direct back to the carpark. The Carl Side descent attains the Carl Side summit then starts at first an easy descent followed by what can only be described as a very steep descent. Not quite scrambling but there are a couple places which require a steadying hand. Once the road is gained then there is a couple of miles back to the car park
Download GPX File
If you want to download the route for use with a GPS then right click on the link and use the 'Save Target as' function. Please note this is a potentially serious and difficult walk. Never follow a GPS route without a map, a compass and understanding of the risks involved Skiddaw.gpx
Photos
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