Skiddaw, Little Man and Carlside circular route

Starting at the Underskiddaw car park (easily found at the very end of the road) leave the gate at the end of the car park and turn left, following the wall and barbed wire until you come to a fence and gate.

Head through the gate and you will be confronted with a (very) obvious grey path ascending the side of the Skiddaw range and associated peaks. No need to stray from the path, head straight up.

You will reach flatter area with a stile to your front and another hill to your left. That hill is the Skiddaw Little Man. If you want to ignore and skirt around Little Man, cross the stile and follow the path. If you want a bit more leg burn, follow our waypoints up and over Little Man (the views are worth it). 

Once you've ascended Little Man you will easily be able to see the grey path continuing around to the North you need to follow (weather dependent). Cross to the opposite side you came up and keep heading towards the taller peak that is the start of the Skiddaw range.

On summiting the next peak turn right and follow the shale ridge until you reach a trig point. If the weather gets foggy (it often can) make sure you don't start descending! This area is quite exposed, so be careful in windy weather. 

Once you've bagged the peak, turn around and come back to the starting end of the ridge/hill. There are a number of shale paths leading down the right hand side of the fell towards the flatter area of Carlside. Make sure you take care underfoot, these are quite loose areas. If you don't fancy your luck and the weather turns bad you can always head back down the way you came either via Little Man or the route around it towards the car park for a linear route. 

Once you've descended to the lower area between Longside Edge and Carl Side ascend the hill directly to your front. Once on top and facing back towards Keswick follow the single path back down through the heather and bracken. You'll reach some white stones halfway down which make an excellent resting point or viewpoint for anyone with a camera. 

Pass further down keeping the stones on your right. The path will zig-zag at one point after which you will reach a stile at the bottom of the field. 

Pass through the stile, turn right and then immediately left on reaching the road. Once on the road, follow it for a good while through the village and out the other side, until you reach the sign pointing you up to the left back towards the car park you originally parked in (same sign). Follow the road back up the hill to your start point!