Skiddaw, Mountain summit in Cumbria, England.
Skiddaw is a mountain summit in Cumbria that rises to 931 meters, making it England's fourth-highest peak. Its defining features include steep slopes on the lower sections and a treeless plateau higher up.
A local farmer made the first recorded ascent in 1810, establishing the beginning of organized mountaineering in the region. This early climbing tradition helped shape the fell's later role as a popular hiking destination.
The mountain has shaped local identity and landscape practices for centuries, with slate extracted from its slopes once used to craft musical instruments. Today, this geological heritage remains visible in the rock formations that characterize the fell.
Several hiking routes lead to the summit, with the most accessible starting from a car park near Latrigg, just outside Keswick. The main path ascends gradually and crosses open moorland throughout most of the walk.
In 2024, the Cumbria Wildlife Trust acquired the Skiddaw Forest to establish England's highest nature reserve. The project aims to restore temperate rainforest habitats across the mountainside.
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