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.
This walk was a family outing up Blencathra via Halls Fell, with a descent down Doddick Fell. The day started off well, with the kids excited to experience such an iconic ridge. As we approached the summit of Blencathra, we encountered a brief but heavy shower accompanied by blustery winds, which lasted about 10 minutes. Despite this, we continued to the summit with relative ease, where we were rewarded with spectacular views. The descent via Doddick Fell was enjoyable and less technical than Halls Fell, allowing us to descend faster than anticipated. Overall, it was a great experience for the whole family.
