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The Wainwrights

Walking Archive

The Infamous Catbells from Keswick.

Probably the most popular walk in the whole of the Lake District for both young & old, it gives great views of Derwentwater without too much effort (weather permitting!)

The following is a brief outline of the route, but we recommend the use of a map & compass.

Starting at the Moot Hall in the centre of Keswick, head towards the Post Office & continue along the main road to the bridge over the river Greta. Turn left immediately and then right through the gate and across the fields to the wonderful bouncy bridge into Portinscale.

Head along the road to Nichol End marina & follow the path through the forrest towards Hawes End.

After passing through a gate onto the road, continue straight across & up the hill to another road at a cattle grid.

From the road pick up the very clear path upwards which leads (after 2 false summits that we discovered the first time we climbed it!) to the stoney top of Catbells (you are allowed to rest on the climb to admire the views back over Keswick & Skiddaw, of course!)

You now have three choices, depending on how tired or fit you are feeling:-

for the tired, cut down to Hause Gate (the dip between Catbells and Maiden Moor, the next fell on the ridge) and turn either left or right, both of which take you down to paths that skirt along the side of Catbells and back to Hawes End, then follow your outward route in reverse back to Keswick.
for the more energetic, at Hause Gate turn left and follow the path down (Ignoring the path which skirts along the side of Catbells) to the road and continue round Derwentwater on the clear lakeside paths (if the end of the lake is flooded, continue along to Grange and cross there) back to Keswick.
for the super fit, at Hause Gate continue uphill to Maiden Moor and just beyond cut down to Grange and continue around Derwentwater back to Keswick (or catch the bus or launch back if necessary!)

View of Catbells from the forest near Hawes End

View from Maiden Moor of Catbells, Keswick and Skiddaw.

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