Skiddaw South Top

About Skiddaw South Top

Sitting on the high, slate-strewn ridge between the main summit and Little Man, this airy plateau offers a refined perspective on the Skiddaw massif. While often bypassed by those focused on the highest point, it provides an exceptional, uninterrupted vista south toward the Borrowdale fells and the distant Scafell range.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Skiddaw likely originates from the Old Norse words 'skut' and 'haugr', meaning the 'hill with the jutting crag'. This likely refers to the mountain's prominent profile when viewed by Norse settlers approaching from the Solway Firth.
• •Bill Birkett included this point in his 1994 survey of the Lakeland fells. While the main Skiddaw summit is the primary objective for most, the South Top is distinct enough to be recognized as one of the few English summits exceeding the 3,000-foot mark.
• •The ground here is composed of Skiddaw Slate, which is approximately 500 million years old. Unlike the rugged volcanic rocks found in the central Lake District, this ancient mudstone breaks down into smooth, dark screes and broad, rounded ridges.
• •From this specific vantage point, the view south is perfectly aligned with the length of Derwent Water. On a clear day, you can trace the entire spine of the Helvellyn range to the southeast, beginning at Clough Head and running toward Fairfield.
• •The summit lies on the final approach of the popular path from Keswick. It serves as a useful psychological marker for walkers, indicating that the steep, unrelenting grind up the Jenkin Hill bridleway is finally over.
• •Standing here on a typical afternoon provides an excellent opportunity to appreciate the local climate, primarily because there is very little between this ridge and the Irish Sea to provide a windbreak.