The full northern sweep over Skiddaw itself — Bakestall, the Middle and South Tops, Sale How and more, nine tops in 23 km with 1,434 m of climbing. Severe for length; about 7 hours of steady walking and the biggest day in this group.
✎️ Planned route — drawn but not personally walked or checked yet. A planned line is a suggestion, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate independently and carry a map & compass. How to use this guide.
Difficulty profile
LengthSevere23.02 km — a long day out.
SteepnessHardSteepest sustained pull about 33% around the 19.7 km mark.
TerrainModerateMostly good mountain path. desk assessment — not field-verified
NavigationModerateClear line, hard to stray. desk assessment — not field-verified
ExposureNot assessedExposure (drops, scrambling, how bad a slip would be) can’t be judged from gradient data alone, so we don’t guess. A rating appears once the route is editorially assessed or walked.
Five independent axes, not one score. “Desk” ratings come from maps and guidebooks, not yet walked — treat them as a guide, not a survey.
Conditions on this route
We score every Lakeland Wainwright each morning on cloud, wind, rain and underfoot, and this route crosses 3 of them. The worst summit governs the verdict — a route is only as kind as its roughest top.
Daylight is short from October to February — check today’s sunrise and sunset before you set off, and carry a head-torch and spare batteries. On short days, decide your turn-back time before you start.
This walk covers about 23.02 km with around 1434 m of ascent, taking in 9 summits. The map above shows the line; the elevation profile and stage notes are below.
Access & barriers
Can a dog, a buggy or dodgy knees manage this route? A quick read from the gates and stiles mapped along the way.
Dog
Mostly gates
Buggy
Not buggy-able
Knees
Tough descent
Dog: A stile of unmapped type — a dog may need lifting over.
Buggy: Stiles or rough going on the route.
Knees: A long, steep ~33% drop around the 19.6 km mark — hard on the knees.
On the line: 18 gates · 1 step-over stile · 2 stiles (type unmapped)
Naismith-based estimate — a fast/steady range. Your pace will vary. These use Naismith’s textbook constants (5 km/h, 600 m of ascent an hour). Measured against a pace fitted to 41 recorded Lakeland walks they run about 8% slow, and we have left them that way deliberately: a slow estimate strands nobody.
The walk, stage by stage
1
Start → Bakestall (3.1 km, 478 m)
Climb of about 478 m over 3.1 km (around 15% average).
Starting from the quiet parking areas near Peter House Farm / Orthwaite, the route follows the broad, unpaved Cumbria Way deep into the Dash valley. As you approach the impressive cascades of Whitewater Dash, the route violently kicks upward, abandoning the track for the brutally steep, grassy spur of Birkett Edge. The gradient is an unrelenting 15%, transitioning from slick fell grass to loose Skiddaw slate as you crest the subsidiary summit of Bakestall
Waypoints
Start Point: Peter House Farm / Cumbria Way gate (approx. NY 249 323). Whitewater Dash (Dash Falls): The major waterfall at the head of the valley. Birkett Edge: The steep, unremitting north-western spur. Bakestall Summit (673 m): Marked by a cairn on the edge of the plateau, overlooking Dead Crags
Decision point
Handrails: A dilapidated wire fence runs directly up Birkett Edge and leads you perfectly to the summit plateau of Bakestall. Visuals: Whitewater Dash serves as your pivot point to leave the valley track and begin the climb
Easy to get wrong
The Gradient: Birkett Edge is a notorious calf-burner. The grass is highly polished and slick after rain, and the lack of switchbacks makes it a pure test of stamina. Wind Funnel: As you clear the lip of Birkett Edge, you will often be hit by a wall of wind funneling over the Skiddaw massif. Hazards: Keep well back from the sheer drop of Dead Crags to your right (west) as you summit Bakestall
If you need to get off
Retreat: Carefully retrace your steps down Birkett Edge to the Cumbria Way track. Trap: Do not attempt to traverse the steep western slopes above Dead Crags to shortcut back to the valley. The ground is treacherous, heavily bluffed out, and prone to landslip
2
Bakestall → Skiddaw (1.9 km, 263 m)
Climb of about 263 m over 1.9 km (around 14% average).
Leaving the grassy environs of Bakestall, the route merges onto the broad, barren northern ridge of Skiddaw. The terrain changes dramatically into a lunar landscape of shattered, clinking Skiddaw slate. The 14% ascent is steady rather than savage, following a heavily eroded, wide path that crunches underfoot all the way to the summit trig point
Waypoints
Broad End: The expansive, stony shoulder leading up to the main ridge. Skiddaw North Top (922 m): A minor rise on the ridge. Skiddaw Main Summit (931 m): The highest point of the walk, featuring a trig pillar and a toposcope
Decision point
The Path: The track here is wide, obvious, and heavily cairned. Handrails: The fence line from Bakestall continues for much of the ascent, remaining a reliable guide on your left
Easy to get wrong
Exposure: The Skiddaw plateau is famously exposed to bitter northerly winds. Even in mid-summer, the wind chill here can be freezing. Terrain: Skiddaw slate acts like scree on the steeper sections. It is noisy, slides under your boots, and makes maintaining a rhythm difficult. Clag: The ridge is extremely wide. In low visibility, it is easy to drift perilously close to the steep eastern screes
If you need to get off
Retreat: Turn around and descend the north ridge back to Bakestall and the Dash valley. Alternative Bail: If weather conditions at the summit are critical, bail south via the main Jenkin Hill "tourist path" to Keswick, though this commits you to a costly taxi ride back to your start point
3
Skiddaw → Skiddaw Middle Top (0.3 km, 3 m)
Undulating section of about 0.3 km.
A virtually flat, stony stroll along the highest ridge in the Northern Fells. The terrain is entirely shattered rock and scree
Waypoints
Skiddaw Middle Top (928 m): A subtle rise just south of the main summit
Decision point
Handrails: The main ridge path connects these tops directly
Easy to get wrong
Cornices: In winter, massive, deadly snow cornices build on the eastern (left) edge of this ridge, hanging out over the void. Never walk close to the edge when snow is present
If you need to get off
Retreat: Push forward to the South Top to intercept the Keswick descent path, or retrace steps north to the Bakestall descent
4
Skiddaw Middle Top → Skiddaw South Top (0.2 km, 0 m)
Undulating section of about 0.2 km.
The final, flat section of the main Skiddaw ridge before the plateau begins to drop away
Waypoints
Skiddaw South Top (925 m): The southern terminus of the summit ridge
Decision point
Path/Cairns: Well-trodden and marked
Easy to get wrong
Whiteout Navigation: While short, this plateau is utterly disorienting in a whiteout. A compass bearing is vital if the clouds drop, as the topography offers zero shelter or distinct landmarks
If you need to get off
Retreat: The main Jenkin Hill path down to Keswick lies immediately south of this top and is the safest, fastest way off the mountain in an emergency
5
Skiddaw South Top → Sale How (1.8 km, 0 m)
Descent of about 269 m over 1.8 km.
You now abandon the busy main paths and plunge into the wilderness. Dropping steeply off the eastern flank of the Skiddaw massif, you descend toward the desolate basin of Skiddaw Forest. The terrain immediately reverts to trackless, steep, slippery fell grass and heather, targeting the prominent, sprawling lump of Sale How
Waypoints
Skiddaw East Flank: The steep, pathless drop-off. Sale How Summit (666 m): A rounded, grassy Birkett offering a tremendous sense of isolation
Decision point
Visual Targeting: Sale How is obvious below you as you descend. Beyond it, the lone, whitewashed building of Skiddaw House in the valley bottom serves as a perfect distant bullseye
Easy to get wrong
Steep, Pathless Descent: Hard on the knees. You are forging your own line here through thick vegetation. Terrain Transition: The ground rapidly goes from bone-dry slate to sodden, spongy moss as you lose elevation
If you need to get off
Retreat: Once you commit to this descent, climbing back up Skiddaw is exhausting. Your best bail option is to continue down to Sale How, then drop into the valley to pick up the Cumbria Way track
6
Sale How → Hare Crag (3.4 km, 85 m)
Climb of about 85 m over 3.4 km (around 2% average).
A brutal, energy-sapping traverse across the notorious bogs of the Skiddaw Forest basin. You will drop from Sale How, cross the infant River Caldew, and navigate a sprawling, trackless expanse of deep heather, hidden streams, and peat hags to reach the minor elevation of Hare Crag. The 2% average gradient hides the constant micro-ascents required to haul yourself out of peat trenches
Waypoints
River Caldew Crossing: The valley bottom waterway. Skiddaw House (nearby): The highest, most remote hostel in Britain (often passed nearby). Hare Crag: A minor, rocky/heather bump in the wilderness
Decision point
Watercourses: The River Caldew flows east then north. Use it to orient yourself in the valley bottom. Compass Bearings: Hare Crag is a minor bump and difficult to distinguish from the surrounding moorland in poor light. Trust your compass
Easy to get wrong
The Bogs: This basin holds water like a sponge. Prepare for sodden boots. The mossy green sections often conceal thigh-deep black peat. Exhaustion: Walking 3.4 km through knee-high heather and bog is wildly more tiring than walking on a path. Progress will be very slow
If you need to get off
Retreat: The Cumbria Way track runs right through this valley past Skiddaw House. Intercept the track and follow it north (back to the Dash valley/start) or south (to Keswick). Trap: Do not try to shortcut east down the Caldew valley towards Mosedale; it is an agonizingly long, trackless gorge that strands you miles from civilization
7
Hare Crag → Great Calva (2.0 km, 259 m)
Climb of about 259 m over 2.0 km (around 13% average).
A brutally steep, direct assault up the southern flank of Great Calva. Having crossed the bogs, you now face a 13% average climb through deep heather. The path is intermittent, mostly relying on animal trods until you hit the upper ridge
Waypoints
Wiley Gill Confluence: The stream at the base of the climb. South Ridge: The steep pull up. Great Calva Summit (690 m): A Wainwright summit, heavily adorned with a fence line and cairn, offering incredible views back to Skiddaw
Decision point
Handrails: A dilapidated fence line runs directly up the southern spine of Great Calva, guiding you straight to the summit
Easy to get wrong
Deep Heather: The lower slopes of Great Calva are choked with thick heather, requiring high-stepping that drains the legs. False Summits: The climb features several distinct steps that trick you into thinking you’ve reached the top
If you need to get off
Retreat: Turn back, drop down the southern ridge, and rejoin the Cumbria Way track in the valley. Trap: Do not bail off the steep eastern or western flanks of Great Calva; stick rigidly to the southern spur if retreating
8
Great Calva → Frozen Fell (3.4 km, 146 m)
Climb of about 146 m over 3.4 km (around 4% average).
The ultimate 'Back o' Skiddaw' wilderness. Leaving Great Calva, you head north/northeast into a vast, rolling plateau of desolate, trackless moorland. The terrain is a labyrinth of deep peat hags, hidden watercourses, and heavy tussocks. It is a long 3.4 km slog requiring constant detours around black bogs to reach the subtle summit of Frozen Fell
Waypoints
Great Calva North Ridge: The initial descent off the Wainwright. Mosedale Moss / The Peat Hags: The treacherous ground bridging the fells. Frozen Fell Summit (approx. 578 m): A bleak, rounded Birkett with minimal defining features
Decision point
Strict Compass Bearings: You must break this leg down into paced compass bearings. There are zero landmarks, walls, or distinct peaks to guide you
Easy to get wrong
Peat Hags: The primary hazard. You will spend hours navigating around, or climbing in and out of, deep trenches of eroded black peat. Total Isolation: You are unlikely to see another soul here. A twisted ankle in this sector is a serious emergency due to the lack of foot traffic. Clag Navigation: In mist, this plateau is utterly featureless. It is terrifyingly easy to walk in circles
If you need to get off
Retreat: The safest bail is to retrace your steps to Great Calva and descend south. Trap: Do NOT bail east off Frozen Fell. It drops you into the remote Carrock Fell/Mosedale area, completely severing you from your transport and the main valley networks
9
Frozen Fell → Little Calva (2.9 km, 200 m)
Climb of about 200 m over 2.9 km (around 7% average).
Swinging south and eventually southwest, you must traverse the headwaters of the remote Wiley Gill and Burntod area to loop back toward the main Calva ridge. This is more of the same grueling terrain: pathless, boggy, heavily tussocked moorland with a final, steady 7% pull up to Little Calva
Waypoints
Wiley Moor / Burntod: The marshy catchment area you must cross. Little Calva Summit (662 m): A flat, boggy plateau marked by a small pile of stones
Decision point
Catch Features: If you aim west, you will eventually hit the fence line that connects Great Calva and Little Calva, which acts as a reliable catch feature
Easy to get wrong
Hidden Streams: The headwaters here are often concealed by overhanging heather and grass. Test your footing carefully to avoid dropping into a hidden gill. Mental Fatigue: After nearly 20 km of walking, the heavy, pathless terrain here is mentally draining
If you need to get off
Retreat: Due to your position in the horseshoe, the safest option is to push on to Little Calva, which sets up your final descent back to the start
Little Calva → Finish (4.2 km, 0 m)
Descent of about 433 m over 4.2 km.
The final descent off the moorland. You drop off the western/north-western flank of Little Calva, plunging steeply through deep grass, bracken, and heather. You are aiming for the valley floor to reunite with the Cumbria Way track near Whitewater Dash, delivering a fast, flat walk-out back to Peter House Farm
Waypoints
Little Calva West Flank: The steep, pathless descent. Dash Beck / Whitewater Dash: The river crossing / valley floor. Cumbria Way Track: The broad stony path out of the valley. Finish Point: Peter House Farm area
Decision point
Visual Targeting: The valley floor and the wide ribbon of the Cumbria Way track are visible for the entire descent. Use the track as your ultimate handrail once reached
Easy to get wrong
Steep, Trackless Descent: The drop off Little Calva is incredibly steep. In late summer, waist-high bracken hides the uneven ground and loose rocks beneath your feet. Crag Avoidance: You must ensure you descend far enough north to completely bypass the sheer drops of Dead Crags, which guard the valley side closer to Bakestall
If you need to get off
Retreat: This is the primary escape route off the northern fells. Trap: Do not descend too early (too far south) off Little Calva, or you risk being bluffed out above the waterfalls of Whitewater Dash or the precipices of Dead Crags. Keep your descent line trending northwest until you are safely on the valley floor
Positions are approximate. Lakeland car parks fill before 9am on fine weekends.
Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.
The X4 stops at Bassenthwaite, opposite High Side Farm. From there it is 2.5 km and 142 m of ascent to this start — a walk in before the walk. Last bus: Monday to Friday 20:28 towards Workington (X4) and 18:13 towards Wigton (554) and 09:09 towards Carlisle (553); Saturday 20:43 towards Wigton (554) and 20:28 towards Workington (X4) and 18:24 towards Carlisle (553); Sunday 18:24 towards Carlisle (553) and 16:23 towards Wigton (554). Checked against the operator’s timetable, 7 September 2026. Times here are a guide, not a promise — leave yourself more than the minute.
Year-round, every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday between Penrith and Keswick and hourly on Sundays, from outside Penrith station. One ticket from any station on the West Coast Main Line to Keswick includes this bus: search for ‘Keswick Bus (KWK)’ when you book the train. From Penrith this is your way into Keswick and the Northern fells — Threlkeld/Scales stops serve Blencathra directly, Braithwaite serves the Coledale fells.
Not sunrise — the moment the sun clears the skyline from that summit, which on a fell with high ground to its east can be a good deal later. The two equinoxes are shown because they fall in the walking season, and late December too wherever a top keeps you waiting then; the clock gap between the equinoxes is British Summer Time, not the hill. Rounded to the nearest quarter hour and meant as a general idea, not a schedule.
Bakestall — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
Skiddaw — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00.
Great Calva — in late March the sun reaches it around 06:15, with the sunrise. In late September, about 07:00. It waits longest in late December — about a quarter of an hour after sunrise.
Modelled from a 30 m elevation model against each summit’s own skyline — the same figures the fell pages carry, never observed. Cloud is not in it.
⚠️ Safety & conditions
The middle third (Hare Crag to Little Calva and beyond) is trackless deep heather — some of the roughest going in the Northern Fells. Budget far more time than the distance suggests.
Both routes off this start are ~23 km loops of 6.7-7 hours whose own warnings say the middle is trackless deep heather and pathless rough grazing. That makes wet boots the certainty, and Bassenfell is the ONLY property in the whole 4.83 km radius whose page names a drying room. It also parks 21 cars, has a ground-floor en-suite bedroom, and runs its own walking weeks - the September Walking Week 2026 blocks 14-19 September on its own availability calendar.
It is an outdoor-activity centre run by a charity, and its dining room seats seventy-five people looking straight out over Bassenthwaite Lake.
Drying room“Drying Room and Laundry Space to dry wet coats and shoes.”
Family rooms“Accommodation 68 Bed spaces in 19 Bedrooms on 3 floors. Rooms range from twin/double up to 6 people each with en-suite or a private bathroom.”
Evening meal“Friendly relaxed atmosphere, comfy accommodation, great food, and quality leadership are the hallmarks of our holiday weeks.”
Parking“Parking Car park space for up to 21 cars.”
Children“A wonderful venue for residential groups whether adults, children, youth or mixed ages.”
The check-in window runs to ten at night, which is the single most useful arrival fact in this cluster: both routes off this start are seven-hour days over trackless heather and finishing late is the norm, not the exception. Free cots and high chairs, and a note that early arrivals can dump the car and wander, cover the other end of the day.
Worth knowing: “One dog is allowed provided all doggy rules are followed. All dog hairs should be removed before the cottage is vacated. Dogs are not allowed in bedrooms or on furniture and must not be left unattended in the cottage. Dogs MUST be on a lead in the communal courtyard”
Guests are invited to let the ducks out of their shed in the morning and keep the eggs, and the cottages were called Loft Holiday Cottages before they were named after the ducks.
Dogs“One dog is allowed provided all doggy rules are followed. All dog hairs should be removed before the cottage is vacated. Dogs are not allowed in bedrooms or on furniture and must not be left unattended in the cottage. Dogs MUST be on a lead in the communal courtyard”
Family rooms“Jemima's Cottage sleeps up to 5 in 2 bedrooms and Rebecca's Cottage sleeps up to 2 in 1 bedroom.”
Parking“Early arrivals can always leave their car and go for a wander or take their car and go and explore the local area.”
Children“Cots and high chairs are available free of charge but must be requested in advance of arrival.”
What each place says about itself, quoted from their own site. We have not stayed at any of them, and there are no prices, no booking and no affiliate links. Distances are straight lines from the route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab).
