DAY 2 - Skiddaw 4h 15m
This route will take you over 'Skiddaw Little Man', so two peaks in one hike. On a clear day the views from the top are breathtaking...though as you can see from the pic, this was not the case for Chris and Joe despite the weather in Keswick being clear and relatively warm.
At 931m, Skiddaw is the fourth highest peak in the Lake District and is a long, steep climb. The path is very obvious and is so wide and easy to navigate that have often heard it likened to a motorway. All sounds good but beware, the top is exposed so be prepared to be wind blown at the summit. You'll need some form of windproof clothing whatever the weather at the bottom! The path can be accessed from Keswick at the back of the leisure centre via Briar Rigg (across the river from the town centre) and is easy to ffind and follow.
I spent the day in the lovely town of Keswick, making the most of the local market, browsing the stalls and shops and relaxing by the lake. Keswick is a bustling market town with plenty of pubs, restaurants and cafes as well as many outdoor and art shops. It sits on the edge of Derwentwater which has always been one of my favourites. The lake walk is stunning and is accessed from the town via a subway and through the pretty lake gardens. I took a book, made my way to Friars Crag viewpoint (it's well signposted) and sat reading for a couple of hours overlooking the lake. There is something very calming about Derwntwater and I always feel it is a special place to relax...if you can escape the growing commercialism.
CAT BELLS
It's worth mentioning Cat Bells at this point. Cat Bells is a relatively easy fell to climb with a slight scramble to the top. Some refer to it as the 'family fell' and having taken my children to the summit on many occasions from the age of three, I would have to agree. At only 451m It takes about 3 hours to get to the top and back, though with young children it will obviously take a little longer. To access the start of the walk, head west out of Keswick towards Hawes End. There is a car park but I usually find a roadside space a little furtther up the road. Please remember to park safely and considerately though when parking along these narrow roads. A hike up Cat Bells is not terribly taxing and the views from the top are absolutely stunning over Derwentwater and surrounding fells. This is most definitely one of my recommended hikes when visiting the Lake District.
Check out TOMORROWS BLOG for Wansfell Pike
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