Introduction
Keswick, being just off the fast A66 road can be reached in about two hours from Manchester. Combine this with the classic summits of Skiddaw and Blencathra and you have a very popular destination. The town sits close to Derwentwater which is itself ringed with some nice woodland scenery.

Skiddaw in Evening sunlight
seen from Catbells


Skiddaw seen 10 minutes before
a December sunset

Skiddaw is the tallest mountain in the area at 931m. It looks very majestic from southern angles and is very isolated from any other notable tops. The southern slopes are typically steep, long and smooth being composed of scree and heather. The northern slopes are far more pennine like merging into the gentle rolling hills collectively known as the Back'O'Skidda. A good route up is via Ullock Pike and Longside Edge to the west. This is the only route that follows a fairly narrow ridge for a short distance. The other main routes follow broad ridges up grassy domains. One other notable route is the walks up the distinctive V-Shaped valley of Slades Beck. There is a steep haul at the end but this isn't a problem with good boots.

On the summit ridge of Skiddaw

Longside edge seen from Skiddaw

Slade's beck and the summit of Little Man

The summit of Little Man - a subsidiary summit of Skiddaw

Skiddaw seen from Derwent Water

The back of Skiddaw seen from Blencathra

Skiddaw seen from Carl Side

Longside Edge and Carlside seen from Little Man

Skiddaw seen from Little Man

Blencathra throws out a bold south facing array of ridges including the delightful Halls Fell which provides an excellent introduction to scrambling. 'Round the Back' and largely hidden from the roadside view, the impressive corrie nestling Scales Tarn produces another fine challenge in the form of Sharp Edge. Sharp Edge is the scariest 'walkers' ridge in the Lakes and is well worth doing. It is of the same level of difficulty as Crib Goch but it a lot shorter. The scramble consists of a short 50m ridge followed by the ascent of a short buttress. The route is decidedly slippy when the rock is even slightly damp. Under these conditions, the more exposed south facing slope, often dried by the sun, are safer than the shaded damp side of the ridge. Other ridges provide easy and uncomplicated ascents of the mountain.

Blencathra seen from Cat Bells with Walla Crag on the right

On Sharp Edge

Sharp Edge seen from safe ground

Looking south from Blencathra into the secluded "St Johns in the Vale"

The approach to Sharp Edge, Blencathra

Blencathra seen from Skiddaw

The Hills north of Blencathra and Skiddaw are collectively known as the Back'O'Skidda and are characterised by gentle heather slopes and are very similar in character to the North Pennine Fells. The highest summit is known as Knott (710m) and is linked with other principle summits by a twisting broad ridge with rather boggy saddles. The best access is had from the east at the small village of Mosedale. Here a road follows the River Caldew up a classic U shaped valley where cars can be parked at its end.

The Glens round the back of Skiddaw seen near Skiddaw house

Looking north from Great Calva

Knott seen from Skiddaw

The area has an abundance of low level walks. One route follows the path of the dismantled railway and heads down the meandering River Greta among wooded riverbanks. Lets not forget the circuit of Derwent Water which takes you through pleasant mixed woodland. With an easy ascent of Cat Bells, you are rewarded with great views across the Derwent Valley to Bassenthwaite lake and down to the coast. Walla crag is a worthwhile attraction for it overlooks the woodland of Great Wood.

Grisedale Pike seen from Derwentwater on a clear December's Day

The North ridge of Catbells

Catbells seen from Derwentwater