This is the easiest route up any of the Lake District's 3,000ft peaks, taking advantage of the parking space on Latrigg to cut over 950ft off the climb! After a steep initial climb, the route levels out, and becomes a relatively easy high level promenade on the grassy slopes of Skiddaw.
Ascent: 2,100ft
Length: 6 miles
Map: The English Lakes - North Western Area (OS Explorer Map Active) (OS Explorer Map Active)
Last Walked:
We start from the car park between Latrigg and Skiddaw. Be aware that space is quite limited and this car park can be very busy in the summer.
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Leave the car park through the gate at the far end, then turn left and follow the path as it runs along the edge of a field.
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At the end of this field turn left again. Here the path splits in two - take the left-hand branch, which climbs up over a small hill called Mon. Follow this path as it climbs steeply up the lower slopes of the mountain, before leveling out and climbing up towards Lower Man.
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Just before the final climb onto Lower Man the path splits in two. The left hand branch climbs up and over Lower Man, while the right hand branch avoids this extra climb, and runs to the east of Lower Man. The two paths join up just before the final climb onto the summit of Skiddaw, so feel free to take either route. At about the point where the two paths rejoin the final climb begins, gaining 300ft in about a quarter of a mile. This brings us to the southern end of the long narrow summit ridge. The summit itself is at the far end of the ridge, although it is only three metres higher than the mid-point of the ridge. The true summit comes after the largest dip in the ridge, and beyond it the ground quickly falls away towards Broad End.
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Retrace your steps to return to the starting point. In fog be careful to take the correct route off the summit ridge - at the southern edge follow the path that leads off to the left (the path to the right heads down a steeper slope onto Carl Side).
