HOW TO FIND US
Skiddaw House is not accessible by car! It is 3.5 miles from the nearest road and can only be reached on foot or mountain bike. It is advisable to bring a map and a torch. 
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The shortest route is from Threlkeld, which is 3.5 miles and takes around one hour twenty minutes. The route from Keswick takes a little longer (5 miles, 1:45 - 2 hours), but is arguably more scenic. See our descriptions below for more detail.
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Skiddaw House is situated at OS Grid Reference: NY288291
 
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Four possible approaches to Skiddaw House

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You should refer to a map to find these routes
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From Keswick (5 miles):

 
Following the Cumbria Way, the route climbs through woodland out of Keswick up to the Latrigg / Gale Road fell car park (OS Grid Ref: NY280253).  You can miss out the first part and start here for a shorter walk (3.5 miles).  From Latrigg car park the path heads towards Skiddaw, then turns off right and contours round Lonscale Fell, giving fantastic views over the Vale of Keswick.  The path then passes through a dramatic, but not difficult, rocky section high above Glenderaterra Beck, before joining the path from Threlkeld and heading over a broad col to the hostel.  
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From Threlkeld (3.5 miles):  

 
The shortest and easiest route, recommended for families with young children.  Park in the Fell car park at the end of Blease Road, beyond the Blencathra Centre CA12 4SG, OS Grid Ref: NY302256.  A good track contours along the east side of the Glenderaterra valley with great views to the south.  At the head of the valley the (now smaller) path crosses the beck and joins the path from Keswick on the west side of the valley, then passes through the col to the hostel.
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From Bassenthwaite (4 miles): 

 
From the parking area opposite Peterhouse Farm (OS Grid Ref: NY249323), a tarmac road heads through fields.  At a junction a stony track climbs up towards Dash Falls before levelling off and passing through heather moorland to the hostel.  Good views of the dramatic Dead Crags, Whitewater Dash waterfall and the Solway coast.
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From Mosedale (3.5 miles):  

 
Park at the end of the tarmac road beyond Swinside (OS Grid Ref: NY327326).  A mainly level track follows the river Caldew through the wild-feeling Mosedale, before becoming a smaller, sometimes muddy, path that climbs gently towards Skiddaw House, with the hostel in view for most of the way.

Approaching Skiddaw House from Keswick or Threlkeld

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The route from Bassenthwaite

Photo: Ed Henderson @LakelandCamera

Reaching the hostel from Mosedale