Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
The walk starts from the Forestry England car park at Dodd Wood, beside the Old Sawmill tearoom on the A591. Paths lead north along the edge of the wood and up onto the ridge to Ullock Pike, which looks straight down on Bassenthwaite Lake. The ridge, called Longside Edge, continues over Long Side to Carl Side, with Skiddaw rising behind. The descent drops south to the col at Long Doors and returns through Dodd Wood on forest tracks.
It is 8.9 km with 708 m of ascent; allow about 5 hours. The grade is Moderate: a steady climb onto a narrow ridge.
The paths are on Skiddaw slate, which is slippery when wet, and the climb onto Ullock Pike is steep. The ridge is narrow in places but has no scrambling that cannot be avoided. It is exposed to the wind and there is no shelter on the tops. Skiddaw itself is about 1 km beyond Carl Side if you want to add it.
Dodd Wood car park charges a fee.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- Skiddaw's north-west ridge: Ullock Pike, Long Side and Carl Side above Bassenthwaite Lake
- Back down to Long Doors and through Dodd Wood
- Skiddaw slate is slippery when wet
Summits on the way
- Ullock Pike 690 m
- Long Side 734 m
- Carl Side 747 m
Getting there
Start: Dodd Wood car park · Pay and display. 54.64223, -3.18708
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Aspatria: Booking.com → Expedia →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
