Keswick to Caldbeck via High Pike (High Route)

0.00km – Facing the monument on Station Road continue STRAIGHT ON across a bridge over River Derwent alongside Fitz Park. After 250 meters TURN LEFT up a tarmac path and cycleway towards Keswick Leisure Pool & Fitness Centre. Keep right of the building passing a car park and later a mini-roundabout where you TURN LEFT onto Brundholme Road.

0.70km – At the junction, ignore another road on your right and continue STRAIGHT ON along a roadside path passing houses along Briar Rigg. After 350 meters TURN RIGHT onto a gravel path signed ‘Skiddaw 4 miles’. Follow the uphill path as it crosses over the busy A66 road.

1.30km – Cross through a gate pas Spooney Green B&B on your left and walk into Latrigg Woods, with information boards on the left. Walk STRAIGHT ON into the woods as you ascend, and the path becomes steeper.

1.80km – BEAR LEFT and continue to follow the path uphill, avoiding any tracks to your right or left. Later cross through a gate and continue along the path as it gently ascends uphill passing more information boards. Enjoy the views beyond Keswick and Derwent Water to Whinlatter, Grasmoor and beyond.

2.30km – Continue STRAIGHT ON avoiding the path to your right signed for ‘Latrigg Summit’, instead keep straight ahead to follow the track across an open slope.

3.00km – Go through a gate and TURN RIGHT in direction of a kissing gate. Immediately TURN LEFT following signs to ‘Skiddaw’ along a walled path towards another gate. Continue STRAIGHT ON along the stone wall.

3.50km – TURN RIGHT onto a small narrow path avoiding the path uphill on the left. Continue to follow the clear track as it gradually descends, BEAR RIGHT up a broad stony path.

5.00km – Cross through a gate into the valley of the Glenderaterra Beck, following a rocky path that gets more rugged, and then flattens out again.

6.50km – Continue STRAIGHT ON ignoring another path rising from across the valley on your right.

7.50km – Go STRAIGHT AHEAD through a gate and continue along a footpath across the moorland. Cross a footbridge over a beck and soon after catching a glimpse of Skiddaw House, the highest hostel in Britain.

8.70km – Just after passing Skiddaw House TURN RIGHT and walk downhill along the stone wall.

IMPORTANT: Please note that these are the instruction for the high route to Caldbeck. If clouds are obscuring the summit of Great Calva (the fell north of Skiddaw House), the visibility is likely to be poor on High Pike and you are advised to take the alternative, low route, to Caldbeck. In fair weather, take the route described below for great views from the highest point of the way. Please see separate tracks for the low-level walk, avoiding High Pike.

9.30km – Cross a footbridge over River Caldew following the uphill stony track which later becomes softer.

10.20km – Continue STRAIGHT ON passing a circular sheepfold as you follow the path that runs gently downhill.

11.00km – Cross Wiley Gill by a footbridge and follow the path in direction of a gate. Walk STRAIGHT ON crossing the gate and past another sheepfold.

14.50km – BEAR RIGHT onto a tarmac road as you reach the end of the stony path, then TURN LEFT sharply through a gate signed for ‘Miller Moss’. Continue STRAIGHT ON up a narrow road at an old mining spoil heaps BEARING RIGHT as you follow the path uphill.

The route now follows Grainsgill Beck upstream, please take extra care as you complete the next section of your walk. The next kilometre is very steep, can be wet and boggy in places and doesn’t follow a clear path. You may need to use your hands and feet in places.

15.50km – As the stream splits in two, carefully cross the leftmost stream using the huge boulders and continue along the river as you continue uphill. It is important to keep this river to your left until you reach the top.

16.50km – When you reach level grassy and boggy terrain at the top you will be able to see Lingy Hut to your right. TURN RIGHT to head along a track towards the hut that offers basic shelter. You may want to sign the visitor’s book inside. Pass the hut and continue STRAIGHT ON following a clear path.

18.00km – Your aim for today, High Pike, finally comes into view as you are walking directly towards it. The summit has a cairn, viewfinder and memorial bench on it that can be spotted from far. As the road forks, BEAR LEFT uphill as you ascend towards the summit along a grassy track.

18.70km – Congratulations! You have now reached the summit of High Pike, the highest and most remote place along the Cumbria Way. Walk another 100 meters towards a pile of stones and keep right of it. Continue northwards then BEAR LEFT along a grassy track that runs downhill.

19.50km – Follow the track downhill later bending to the left. If you spot a mining shaft to the right as well as a small, bare hump of mining spoil to your left, you are on course. TURN RIGHT up a grassy track, then TURN LEFT downhill following an obvious path.

20.50km – TURN LEFT up a stony track then TURN RIGHT towards a gate, avoiding it. Continue STRAIGHT ON as you descend.

21.00km – Continue downhill following the clear path, enjoying views over farms at Nether Row.

21.50km – Cross a gate signed as Claybottom Farm and continue along a stony path towards another gate. Walk between farm buildings as you continue STRAIGHT ON crossing another gate and walking along a stone wall.

22.00km – Continue STRAIGHT ON at a crossroads and BEAR LEFT as the road curves, ignoring any tracks to your right. Continue along the tarmac road.

23.20km – Continue STRAIGHT ON at a junction going straight ahead along an overgrown road flanked by hedges, later crossing a stone arched bridge.

24.00km – TURN RIGHT at the top of the road next to Fellview Primary School. Continue along the same road crossing a bridge.

24.40km – You have now arrived in the town centre of Caldbeck. There is a tea house on your left, called The Old Smithy or walk a little further for a beautiful beer garden at Caldbeck’s pub, Odd Fellows Arms.