Northern Fells

The most influential of all such authors was Alfred Wainwright, whose Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells series has sold in excess of 2 million copies,[1] being in print continuously since the first volume was published in 1952.

North of the area defined by Wainwright the countryside takes on a moorland character, gradually declining towards the Solway Firth.

The Caldew begins eastward, Dash Beck flows north west and the Glenderaterra to the south.

This is the Skiddaw group, well known in views down Borrowdale and Derwentwater with its steep but sweeping slopes, deep folds and smooth texture.

Eastward are Skiddaw Little Man, Lonscale Fell and the diminutive Latrigg, a short climb from Keswick.

The south-eastern sector is formed around Blencathra, with its crags and knife-edge ridges overlooking the Keswick to Penrith road.

The northern section is known commonly as "Back o'Skiddaw" and contains many lower fells, although the paths to climb them can be long.

High Pike (Caldbeck) and Carrock Fell rise to the east, marching along the Caldew valley.

The tourist route up Skiddaw will generally be busy, but solitude can easily be found in the northern fells.