Skelgill Bank

About Skelgill Bank

Rising steeply from the shores of Derwentwater, this sharp grassy ridge serves as the northern gateway to Cat Bells. As a Birkett and Synge in its own right, it offers a dramatic perspective over the Newlands Valley and across the water to the massive bulk of the Skiddaw massif.

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Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Old Norse 'skali', meaning a hut or shieling, and 'gil', meaning a narrow ravine, referring to the historic farmstead that sits at the foot of the slope in the Newlands Valley.
• •While often considered a mere shoulder of Cat Bells, Skelgill Bank is classified as a distinct fell by both Bill Birkett and Tim Synge, making it a necessary stop for those completing their respective peak-bagging lists.
• •From the top of the bank, you gain a perfectly framed view of the wooded islands of Derwentwater—St Herbert's, Lord's, and Rampsholme—stretching out toward the town of Keswick and the slopes of Latrigg.
• •The western slopes below the ridge were once home to the significant lead and copper workings of the Goldscope Mine, which operated for over 400 years and was famously managed by expert German miners in the 16th century.
• •The ascent from Hawse End follows a series of heavily engineered stone zig-zags; these were constructed to manage the immense popularity of the route and prevent the thin soil from being washed away by thousands of boots.
• •This ridge serves as an early litmus test for hill-readiness; it is the point where many visitors realize that 'family-friendly' in the Lake District still involves a significant amount of uphill effort.