Meet time: 8.45am
Start time: 9.00am
Estimated finish time: 4.30pm
Distance: 12.5 miles (20.12 kilometres)
Ascent: About 3,340 feet (1,018 meters)
Ramblers walk grading: A (Strenuous)
Start point: Latrigg Car Park (found literally at the end of the road just northeast of Latrigg).
Postcode: CA12 4PH
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: From Latrigg Car Park we follow the Cumbria Way and avoid the tourist trail to enter the Glenderaterra Valley. This is a very level and easy section of the walk as we make our way to Skiddaw House (a YHA building), along the way there is the Skiddaw Range to our left and to our right the northern side of Blencathra. Eventually the Cumbria Way comes to Skiddaw House and we continue onwards towards Whitewater Dash, a waterfall, and the northernmost point of this walk.
Once we have passed the wooden gate, we immediately turn left to follow a path which runs parallel to a stone wall (and later fence). This path is Birkett Edge, and this is where the hard ascent begins to reach Bakestall, which is the northernmost mountain of the Skiddaw Range and comes in at 673 meters. The ascent continues with the approach to the summit of Skiddaw, the highest mountain of the walk at 931 meters. If there is no mist then there will be amazing views all around.
From Skiddaw we begin a gentle descent down the Skiddaw Range, along the way we will stop at Little Man and then Lonscale Fell. From Lonscale Fell we will go down the popular tourist trail to return to the car park. From there we have the choice of going to Latrigg which is very quick and very easy- but has the best view of Keswick!
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 24 February if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)). This walk is suitable for dogs but please make sure you keep your dog under control.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
Car sharing is now possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.