Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side, Skiddaw & Lonscale Fell - Thursday 19 April 2018
Route
Ravenstone Manor Hotel - Ling How - The Edge - Ullock Pike - Long Side - Carl Side - Skiddaw - Skiddaw Little Man - Skiddaw Lesser Man - Lonscale Fell - Lonscale Pike - Cumbria Way - Briar Rigg - Keswick
Parking
Plenty in Keswick - both expensive & free.
Mileage
10.2 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths & ridge walking. The path from Carl Side to Skiddaw is steep for the final 300 yards and contains loose stone but is not overly difficult in dry conditions. After a lot of rain and in ice & snow this path is best left alone.
Weather
A game of two halves - warm & sunny until we left the summit of Skiddaw when the weather turned overcast.
Time Taken
6hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
3920ft (1195m)
Wainwrights
6
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave & Jon Hardwick with Angie & Fudge meeting us on on Lonscale Fell
Ravenstone Manor Hotel - Ling How - The Edge - Ullock Pike - Long Side - Carl Side - Skiddaw - Skiddaw Little Man - Skiddaw Lesser Man - Lonscale Fell - Lonscale Pike - Cumbria Way - Briar Rigg - Keswick
Parking
Plenty in Keswick - both expensive & free.
Mileage
10.2 miles
Terrain
Good mountain paths & ridge walking. The path from Carl Side to Skiddaw is steep for the final 300 yards and contains loose stone but is not overly difficult in dry conditions. After a lot of rain and in ice & snow this path is best left alone.
Weather
A game of two halves - warm & sunny until we left the summit of Skiddaw when the weather turned overcast.
Time Taken
6hrs 20mins
Total Ascent
3920ft (1195m)
Wainwrights
6
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave & Jon Hardwick with Angie & Fudge meeting us on on Lonscale Fell
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Walk Description
Linear walks are fast becoming a favourite route selection of ours - there is something about setting off and arriving at 2 different locations that adds another aspect on to both route planning and the walk itself. Luckily there are plenty of options to do this in the Lake District and today's walk was one of them. We were joined today by a friend of ours Jon, and whilst we have done today's route before, his visit gave us the excuse (not that we ever need one) to do this classic walk once more. Fudge was almost over his ligament injury, however it was a bit too soon to subject him to a toughie today therefore Angie dropped Jon and I off at the Ravenstone Manor Hotel and would meet us later on Lonscale Fell. If parking in Keswick, the 554 bus drops you off just north of Ravenstone Manor.
From the Hotel a path leads through Rabbit Warren Wood to reach the lower slopes of Ling How. At the col between Ling How & Watches the climbing begins - a lovely ascent on a gradual incline along the ridge known as The Edge (nothing to do with U2's lead guitarist). The gradient steepens as height is gained and what most people think is the summit of Ullock Pike appears - although it isn't! - the summit is a bit further on but not far. Ullock Pike gives superb views over both Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water as well as the next summit of Long Side which is reached a little further along the ridge. This is exhilarating walking along an airy ridge that gives glorious views all around, particularly over to the Skiddaw Massif.
From Long Side it is an easy walk over to Carl Side and on the way there is an option to omit this summit and head to the col at Carlside Tarn from where the path to Skiddaw begins - the path is visible all the way along the ridge and looks easy enough from afar. From the tarn, the path rises gently on loose stone, increases in gradient and then for the last 300 yards it steepens markedly. In normal and dry conditions it is simply a question of taking your time to negotiate the scree and steepness however in snow and ice this would be a difficult ascent without proper equipment. All in all, this is a glorious path and is a delightful way to attain the summit ridge of Skiddaw.
Reaching the summit ridge there were a few people about but it was not overly busy. As we made the journey along to the summit we noticed that the cloud was coming in from over Keswick way therefore we did not hang about but still found the time to wander over to Skiddaw's north top to admire the view over to Bakestall. Heading to Skiddaw Little Man via the South Top, we made the descent to the col mostly in a thick grey soup although this cleared as we climbed up the short pull to the summit - we were then left with overcast conditions for the remainder of the walk. From Little Man we dropped down to Lesser Man and then headed off to the east to pick up the path over Jenkin Hill that would deliver us to Lonscale Fell - in today's visibility the route over was never in doubt.
As we made the transit up the gentle rise we could see Angie & Fudge up on the summit and we were soon joining them. It is worth noting that for a little extra effort a short transit leads from Lonscale Fell's summit to the top of the east peak known as Lonscale Pike. From the Pike there is a glorious view over to Burnt Horse and Blencathra with the valley floor below revealing Glenderaterra Beck alongside the Cumbria Way. All that was left to do now was to make our way down to the valley floor via the path above Lonscale Crags to join up with the Cumbria Way. There last few miles of the walk is a delight as the route passes below Latrigg through the woodland to arrive on the outskirts of Keswick at Briar Rigg.
This is a glorious walk and one of our favourites. It is best completed when the crowds have gone home and you can have the ridges to yourself. Skiddaw is a popular mountain and gets busy unfortunately but don't let that put you off. We finished off this superb day with a few refreshing beers at the Lake Road Inn in Keswick.
From the Hotel a path leads through Rabbit Warren Wood to reach the lower slopes of Ling How. At the col between Ling How & Watches the climbing begins - a lovely ascent on a gradual incline along the ridge known as The Edge (nothing to do with U2's lead guitarist). The gradient steepens as height is gained and what most people think is the summit of Ullock Pike appears - although it isn't! - the summit is a bit further on but not far. Ullock Pike gives superb views over both Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water as well as the next summit of Long Side which is reached a little further along the ridge. This is exhilarating walking along an airy ridge that gives glorious views all around, particularly over to the Skiddaw Massif.
From Long Side it is an easy walk over to Carl Side and on the way there is an option to omit this summit and head to the col at Carlside Tarn from where the path to Skiddaw begins - the path is visible all the way along the ridge and looks easy enough from afar. From the tarn, the path rises gently on loose stone, increases in gradient and then for the last 300 yards it steepens markedly. In normal and dry conditions it is simply a question of taking your time to negotiate the scree and steepness however in snow and ice this would be a difficult ascent without proper equipment. All in all, this is a glorious path and is a delightful way to attain the summit ridge of Skiddaw.
Reaching the summit ridge there were a few people about but it was not overly busy. As we made the journey along to the summit we noticed that the cloud was coming in from over Keswick way therefore we did not hang about but still found the time to wander over to Skiddaw's north top to admire the view over to Bakestall. Heading to Skiddaw Little Man via the South Top, we made the descent to the col mostly in a thick grey soup although this cleared as we climbed up the short pull to the summit - we were then left with overcast conditions for the remainder of the walk. From Little Man we dropped down to Lesser Man and then headed off to the east to pick up the path over Jenkin Hill that would deliver us to Lonscale Fell - in today's visibility the route over was never in doubt.
As we made the transit up the gentle rise we could see Angie & Fudge up on the summit and we were soon joining them. It is worth noting that for a little extra effort a short transit leads from Lonscale Fell's summit to the top of the east peak known as Lonscale Pike. From the Pike there is a glorious view over to Burnt Horse and Blencathra with the valley floor below revealing Glenderaterra Beck alongside the Cumbria Way. All that was left to do now was to make our way down to the valley floor via the path above Lonscale Crags to join up with the Cumbria Way. There last few miles of the walk is a delight as the route passes below Latrigg through the woodland to arrive on the outskirts of Keswick at Briar Rigg.
This is a glorious walk and one of our favourites. It is best completed when the crowds have gone home and you can have the ridges to yourself. Skiddaw is a popular mountain and gets busy unfortunately but don't let that put you off. We finished off this superb day with a few refreshing beers at the Lake Road Inn in Keswick.
The walk today started from the southern end of the Ravenstone Manor Hotel.
The 554 bus from Keswick stops just beyond the northern entrance further up the road.
The 554 bus from Keswick stops just beyond the northern entrance further up the road.
After leaving the hotel the path heads very steeply up through the plantation of Rabbit Warren
Near the top of Rabbit Warren a track is reached which heads north to skirt the Birkett of Watches.
We were heading east and therefore took the path directly up towards Ling How.
We were heading east and therefore took the path directly up towards Ling How.
The path now enters the open fell side to head across the lower slopes of Ling How - a walker can be seen on the ridge up ahead.
Looking back down the slopes of Ling How to Bassenthwaite Lake & the North Western Fells
Now on the ridge line of The Edge with Binsey in the far distance and Watches to the front
Looking across Southerndale to Randel Crag and Skiddaw
Nearing the summit of Ullock Pike, the views over Bassenthwaite Lake open out
A panorama to Ullock Pike & the North Western Fells.
Jon on the summit of Ullock Pike with Long Side to the rear
The summit of Ullock Pike looking to Skiddaw & Long Side
Dodd with Keswick and Derwent Water in the hazy distance
The summit of Long Side looking to Skiddaw with Little Man to the right
Approaching Carl Side - on the left can be seen the path to Carlside Tarn which avoids Carl Side summit
The summit of Carl Side looking to Skiddaw Little Man
On the summit of Carl Side looking to Skiddaw and our route of ascent up the mountain.
Two paths can be seen snaking their way up - we were heading for the left hand path.
Two paths can be seen snaking their way up - we were heading for the left hand path.
On the ascent of Skiddaw from Carl Side. The path has a gentle gradient at first then steepens as height is gained.
Long Side & Ullock Pike from the scree path to Skiddaw
Looking back to Carl Side
Zooming in on Carl Side
Looking across to the right hand path to Skiddaw - a walker can just about be seen on the horizon.
As can be seen here, the scree path increases in gradient as height is gained.
The stone becomes looser but is fairly easy to transit - it would be a different story in the wet, snow or ice.
The stone becomes looser but is fairly easy to transit - it would be a different story in the wet, snow or ice.
Another view of Long Side & Ullock Pike from further up the scree slope
Nearing the summit ridge on Skiddaw - this is the path at its steepest
The summit ridge on Skiddaw
747 cloud formation above the Northern Fells
Blencathra with Lonscale Fell to the right
The summit Trig Point & Toposcope on Skiddaw
The summit of Skiddaw looking to Blencathra
Another look at the fine ridge walk from Ullock Pike
As we were leaving Skiddaw the clag came in for a short while
The path from Skiddaw to Little Man
Carl Side from the ascent to Skiddaw Little Man
The summit of Skiddaw Little Man looking down to Lesser Man
Derwent Water & Keswick
The summit of Skiddaw Lesser Man
Leaving Lesser Man we dropped down to the path that leads back to Keswick via the Hawell Monument.
From the junction we took the path over to Lonscale Fell - there is a route either side of the fence.
From the junction we took the path over to Lonscale Fell - there is a route either side of the fence.
The summit of Lonscale Fell.
From the summit there is a path heading east - it is worth following the path as in a couple of hundred yards it leads to the east peak also known as Lonscale Pike which gives a superb view over to Blencathra & the valley below.
From the summit there is a path heading east - it is worth following the path as in a couple of hundred yards it leads to the east peak also known as Lonscale Pike which gives a superb view over to Blencathra & the valley below.
Burnt Horse from Lonscale Pike
Not the best photograph over to Blease Fell on Blencathra but this gives an idea as to what can be seen if you explore the fell rather than just bagging the Wainwright Summit. Glenderaterra Beck flows below alongside the Cumbria Way.
Leaving Lonscale Fell there is a knee crunching descent to join the Cumbria Way on the valley floor.
Latrigg from the Cumbria Way
Glorious view over to Clough Head & The Dodds
Beers in Keswick - thanks for your company today Jon