“There are no walls to obstruct free wandering over these pleasant foothills. Life seems good here when the larks are rising and curlews wheeling overhead”
A Wainwright
The remote fells on the Back O'Skiddaw are the most northerly in the Lake District, a long drive from the honey-pots of central Lakeland makes them extremely quiet and under walked.
They offer however a wonderful days walking, a different type of mountain to much of Lakeland, the Back O'Skiddaw fells are more similar to the moorland of the north Pennines than the rocky Lakeland Fells, although below the grassy surface is a rich mineral field, heavily mined over the centuries.
The mining history of the area adds another dimension to the walking here, the fells are full of history which can be traced during the days walking.
“Carrock Fell has quite exceptional interest for the geologist, the mineralogist and the antiquary, and even the unlearned fellwalker will find the ascent out of the ordinary”
A Wainwright
From Fell Side, near Caldbeck we will climb south on old mine tracks and past the remains of much mining history and up to the summit of High Pike.
A good ridge path leads from High Pike east to the summit of Carrock Fell, along with much mining history this fell hosts the remains of an ancient hill fort.
After returning west back along the ridge from Carrock Fell we will join the Cumbria Way path, passing the Great Lingy Hut to climb to the summit of Knott, out highest point of the day.
The long northern ridge of Knott will bring us down over grassy slopes over the summits of Great Sca Fell and Little Sca Fell to Brae Fell where a short contour will bring us onto the ridge descending north west over Lowthwaite Fell and Longlands Fell to meet the track below crossing Charleton Beck, this track eventually turns into a lane and leads back to the start point.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Fell Side, Caldbeck
Postcode: CA7 8HA
Grid Reference: NY 305 375
Directions
If you are coming from the north or east, then the best thing to do is to find the B5299 and come down through Caldbeck, keep on the B5299, which bears right in Caldbeck village, heading in a westerly direction. Go through the very small hamlet of Whelpo, and then just before the tiny hamlet of Parkend (approximately 2 miles from Caldbeck) where there is a bridge across the river, turn acutely left on a small road, go along this for about ¾ mile taking the next right signposted towards Fellside. After about a mile you will find the small hamlet of Fellside. There is a small car park up the second lane to the left as you enter the hamlet, we will meet here.
If you are approaching from the Keswick or Wigton side, then you need to take the B5299, off the A595, and again continue this until you get to Parkend, where just after the hamlet you would bear right and follow the instructions as above.
Bus Services
There are currently no buses to Fell Side.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
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