Everyone has a favourite walk in the Lake District and this is mine. The circular route begins just outside Bassenthwaite village and climbs along Ullock Pike ridge, with outstanding views across Bassenthwaite Lake. From the summit, the view stretches across Derwent Water and out to mainland Scotland.
Start and End Location: Roadside parking outside Bassenthwaite. Turn right off the A591 at the signpost for Orthwaite. There is a small parking lay-by a few hundred metres down the road, next to a large wooden gate. If there is no parking available here, Bassenthwaite village is about half a mile down the road.
Start Postcode: Approximately CA12 4QG
Distance: 9km
Time: 4 hours
Facilities: None
GPX Download: Link below map
Grade: Medium Mountain Walk
From the parking lay-by, go through the wooden gate and follow the path uphill. The path bears left and then right alongside a tree line in the middle of a field. Follow the path through a farming gate and turn right to steeply climb to small wooden gate in a stone wall. After passing through the gate, turn sharp right and follow the path to reach Ullock Pike.
The path steadily climbs the ridge, with occasional small scrambles across the rocky terrain. After bearing left, the path reaches a large, grassy area and Carl Side Tarn, with great views down to Keswick and Derwent Water.
From the Tarn, follow the path left as it climbs to the summit. There are steep areas of loose scree here.
From Skiddaw summit, follow the path to continue north and carefully zigzag down the mountain, with stunning views over Bassenthwaite Lake to the left.
The path bears left and continues down across moorland to reach a river. The path is very faint here. Cross the river and bear slightly left to join a wider path back to the car park.
