North of Keswick, the Lake District takes on a different character. The broad, sweeping ridges of Skiddaw and the dramatic aretes of Blencathra give way to the quiet, open plateau of the Skiddaw Forest and the rarely visited tops of the northern fells, where solitude and far-reaching views reward those who venture beyond the popular paths.

This second edition Cicerone guidebook by Mark Richards, who was encouraged to begin writing by Alfred Wainwright himself, covers all 30 summits accessible from Keswick across a range of experience levels. Every fell is described fell by fell with HARVEY mapping, hand-drawn topos and panoramas, giving you a fresh perspective on classic summits and lesser-known gems.

• 30 Keswick fells covered in full, from Skiddaw and Blencathra to Latrigg, Lonscale Fell, Bowscale Fell and the quieter northern summits, with every ascent, descent and ridge connection described
• HARVEY mapping, hand-drawn topos and panoramas included for each fell, making it straightforward to identify your line of ascent and anticipate the views from every top
• Four named ridge routes, the Skiddaw Skyline, the Blencathra Round, the Northern Crown and the Aiken Beck Horseshoe are described, offering longer days linking multiple summits across the finest ridges in the northern Lake District
• Valley base information for Keswick, Braithwaite, Bassenthwaite, Mungrisdale and Threlkeld, as well as clear guidance on difficulty, seasonal conditions and access for every fell
• Fell-friendly routes throughout, designed to protect the paths and landscapes of the Lake District UNESCO World Heritage Site

Skiddaw and Blencathra may bring most walkers to this corner of the Lakes, but the northern fells have a quiet magic all of their own. This guidebook is the key to finding it. 

The Keswick volume is one of eight in the Walking the Lake District Fells series, together covering all 230 fells across the Lake District National Park.

Walking the Lake District Fells - Keswick - Quick Facts

Series: Walking the Lake District Fells (one of eight volumes) 
Total series coverage: 230 fells across 8 volumes 
Area: Keswick and the northern fells, Lake District, Cumbria, England 
Designation: Lake District National Park, UNESCO World Heritage Site 
Summits covered: 30 fells 
Valley bases: Keswick, Braithwaite, Lorton, Bassenthwaite, Hesket Newmarket, Mungrisdale, Scales, Threlkeld 
Summit highlights: Skiddaw, Blencathra, Latrigg, Ullock Pike, Lonscale Fell, Bowscale Fell, Great Calva, Knott, Lord's Seat, Dodd 
Ridge routes: Skiddaw Skyline, Blencathra Round, Northern Crown, Aiken Beck Horseshoe 
Route format: Fell-by-fell, with multiple ascent, descent and ridge route options per summit 
Difficulty: Straightforward to moderate — navigational skills required; easy scrambling on some routes with non-scrambling alternatives always provided 
Best season: Year-round; winter walking on higher fells requires experience and appropriate equipment 
Mapping: HARVEY maps included; hand-drawn topos and panoramas for each fell

Author Highlight

"Another feature of this latest incarnation of Fellranger, apart from the smaller size to slip in your pocket or pack, is the addition of a selection of inspiring ridge routes at the end of each volume for those of you who like to spend a little longer with your head and feet in the heavenly realms, relishing the summit views and the connections between the felltops."

- Mark Richards, author of Walking the Lake District Fells - Keswick

CONTENTS

Map key
Volumes in the series
Author preface
Starting points
INTRODUCTION
Valley bases
Fix the Fells
Using this guide
Safety and access
Additional online resources
FELLS
1 Bakestall
2 Bannerdale Crags
3 Barf
4 Binsey
5 Blencathra
6 Bowscale Fell
7 Brae Fell
8 Broom Fell
9 Carl Side
10 Carrock Fell
11 Dodd
12 Graystones
13 Great Calva
14 Great Cockup
15 Great Sca Fell
16 High Pike
17 Knott
18 Latrigg
19 Ling Fell
20 Longlands Fell
21 Long Side
22 Lonscale Fell
23 Lord’s Seat
24 Meal Fell
25 Sale Fell
26 Skiddaw
27 Skiddaw Little Man
28 Souther Fell
29 Ullock Pike
30 Whinlatter
RIDGE ROUTES
1 The Skiddaw Skyline
2 The Blencathra Round
3 The Northern Crown
4 The Aiken Beck Horseshoe
More to explore
 
Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B A fellranger’s glossary
Appendix C Alphabetical list of fells in the Fellranger series

Seasons

Year-round walking. Winter walks, even on the lower fells, are not for the inexperienced or under-equipped.

Centres

Keswick, Braithwaite, Lorton, Bassenthwaite, Hesket Newmarket, Mungrisdale, Scales, Threlkeld

Difficulty

Straightforward ascents on sometimes clear, sometimes faint paths, and occasionally pathless terrain, to be used as a basis for readers' own walks. Navigational skills are needed but no specialist equipment. Any scrambling is easy and non-scrambling alternatives are always provided.

Must See

A fresh perspective on classic summits in the Lakes including Skiddaw, Blencathra, Knott, Great Calva, Dodd and Lord's Seat, and an inspiring introduction to lesser-known Lakeland fells such as Bowscale Fell and Lonscale Fell; superlative ridge walking including the Skiddaw Skyline round

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