Lake District
SKIDDAW SUMMIT WITHOUT STILES
Head to the Lake District to climb the sixth-highest mountain in England, without a stile in sight.
DIFFICULTY MEDIUM
DISTANCE 10KM TIME 5 HOURS
TOTAL ASCENT 645M
PEAK BAGGER STATS TRAIL 100S 1 WAINWRIGHTS 1
The TerrainHopper, an all-terrain wheelchair, is the equivalent of my old pair of 4-season hiking boots, and with this vehicle I have had many adventures in the Lake District. Skiddaw was one of the first mountains that I climbed since becoming a wheelchair user and it didn’t disappoint.
Wainwright described Skiddaw thus: “The summit is buttressed magnificently by a circle of lesser heights, all of them members of the proud Skiddaw family, the whole forming a splendid and complete example of the structure of mountains, especially well seen from all directions because of its isolation.” In other words, the perfect mountain.
No matter what time of day, the sun brings out an amazing display of colours on Skiddaw, from the blues and greens of the grass to the vibrant purples of the heather. As the day progresses, the shadows of the gills deepen the hues, while the patches of scree become more prominent in the landscape. The sun also casts its light on these different elements, creating an ever-changing display of colours that can be enjoyed by all.
In the evening, the sun sets, and the mountain takes on a different personality, with the hues of the rocks, gills, and patches blending to create a unique, ethereal beauty.
IS IT FOR ME?
FITNESS For those on foot, a strong pair of walking legs are required.
TERRAIN A steady but gradual climb on rough tracks.
NAVIGATION A well-defined path from the car park to the summit.
3 Lake District
1 NY280253 Go through the gate at the end of the Gale Road car park and turn sharp left. Follow the path beside the wall for approximately 500m. Here you will come to the Hawell Monument, a stone cross erected in memory of three Skiddaw shepherds, Edward and Joseph and Robert Hawell of Lonscale, who tended their flocks of Herdwick sheep on Skiddaw. Though the construction of the monument was started by family members, it was Canon Rawnsley, one of the co-founders of the National Trust, who completed its structure. For a few hundred metres you are following the route of the Cumbria Way – along-distance walking route from Ulverston to Carlisle. Follow the fence line and the gravel path towards the mountain.
2 NY281259 Pass through the next gate. The gradient now becomes steeper as the route follows the zigzag path towards Jenkins Hill, alongside the left side of Whit Beck. The further up you climb, the more awe-inspiring the sights become. Looking back there are great views over towards Derwent Water, Keswic
