Day 4 of the Cumbria Way saw us walk from Rosthwaite to Skiddaw via Keswick, some 16 miles.
The morning was a gentle stroll down the valley skirting Derwentwater, arriving in Keswick in time for lunch (and a pint of Keswick bitter) before setting off on the long climb to Skiddaw House, the loneliest hostel in England.
It’s a remarkable place, set high on the north side of the fell, and as it was a quiet midweek night the only other guests were two entertaining chaps, Crispin and Steve, also walking the Cumbrian Way.
The hostel is run by a lovely young couple, Suzy and Martin, who took it on a couple of years ago and seem to be making a success of it. It’s self-catering but there’s a good supply of food and wine for sale.
