Skiddaw
Mountain Lake District mountain with wide summit views
A Lake District fell north of Keswick offering steep trails and wide views over Derwentwater. Popular with day‑hikers and fell walkers seeking manageable summit routes and ridge walks.
Skiddaw is a prominent fell in the northern English Lake District, in Cumbria, with a summit at 931 metres above sea level. It is one of the higher fells in the national park and a well-known destination for hillwalkers.
A network of paths leads to the summit from several directions, with common approaches from the Keswick area. Walks vary from steep, direct ascents to longer ridge routes that include subsidiary tops such as Skiddaw Little Man.
The mountain is formed from ancient Ordovician rocks and has been shaped by glacial action; it has long been used for grazing and recreation. The summit and ridges are popular for panoramic views across northern Lake District lakes and valleys on clear days.
Skiddaw lies north of the town of Keswick in Cumbria, within the Lake District National Park, and is readily reached from local trailheads and visitor centres.
- Conditions: Weather can change quickly and visibility may be poor outside calm summer days; prepare for steep ground and exposed sections near the top.
What to See #
- Skiddaw summit (931 m): The summit reaches 931 metres above sea level and is the main high point of the Skiddaw massif, offering wide views over Derwentwater and the northern Lake District when conditions allow.
- Skiddaw Little Man: Skiddaw Little Man is a prominent subsidiary top on the southern flank that is frequently included on walks to the main summit.
How to Get to Skiddaw #
Skiddaw overlooks the town of Keswick in the Lake District. Drive to Keswick via the A66/A591 and park in town car parks; established footpaths to Skiddaw start from Keswick and nearby trailheads (signed routes lead up the fell), so the usual approach is to begin on foot from the town centre or nearby parking areas.
Tips for Visiting Skiddaw #
- Start early in the morning to get clearer views and avoid the cloud and wind that commonly build up on Skiddaw later in the day.
- Use Keswick as your base and plan routes that suit your experience level-popular lines from Keswick are shortest but get busiest, while approaches from the Bassenthwaite/Mosedale side are typically quieter.
- Check the Met Office mountain forecast before you go and be prepared for rapid weather change and strong summit winds; summit visibility can fall off quickly even after a calm start.
Best Time to Visit Skiddaw #
Climb Skiddaw in late spring to early autumn when trails are generally clearer and daylight is longer.
Weather & Climate near Skiddaw #
Skiddaw's climate is classified as Subpolar Oceanic - Subpolar Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -2°C to 15°C. Heavy rainfall (2387 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (281 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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February
February is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (201 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Heavy rain (218 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (138 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (165 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (198 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (255 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Heavy rain (261 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Heavy rain (276 mm), mostly overcast skies, and windy conditions.
