The Northern Fells occupy a circular area about 10 miles in diameter. The centre is slightly lower, an area of upland grazing and marshland known as Skiddaw Forest. This name may be misleading since the only trees form the windbreak of Skiddaw House. This isolated building, was once a shepherd's bothy. It currently serves as a youth hostel. Skiddaw Forest stands at the head of the three major rivers of the Northern Fells. The Caldew, Dash Beck and the Glenderaterra. These streams divide the circular area into three distinct sections.
Beginning at the Kirkstone Pass Inn on a lovely morning, I climbed the steep path to St Raven’s Edge, a climb of 138m. I then headed North along the boggy and sometimes indistinct footpath to Cauldale Moor, taking a short detour across the moorland to examine the John Bell’s banner monument. After admiring the views over Brotherswater and Ullswater, and back to Windermere, I walked along the grassy path across Stony Cove Pike to Threshwaite Crag. Having also admired the views from here, I returned via the same route.
