Route: Derwentwater hilltop circular, Lake District

Will Renwick walks a high route around Derwentwater from Keswick, climbing Catbells and Walla Crag along the way and visiting Ashness Bridge

Click here to read Will’s account of the walk.

Start/Finish: Keswick Youth Hostel
GR: NY267235

1. Turn R from hostel and take road to town centre. Walk R down the high street, following it W out of town. After crossing the bridge turn L into playing fields. Follow the path on their edge and at road turn L over footbridge. Continue straight along the road, following it L at junction by The Chalet. After Nichol End Marina go L onto footpath. Continue through woodland on the Cumbria Way. At the kissing gates go across the lane and follow footpath along the wall, crossing a cattle grid.
2. Take the path zigzagging up Catbells and follow along the ridge top to summit and over. At the footpath crossroads turn L downhill. Halfway downhill turn R and join the lower path, turning R on it. Join the road and turn R, then after 100m turn L onto footpath. Turn R when path splits and go through the reserve along edge of the lake. Turn L on main road then R behind hotel. Lodore Falls are near on the R, but turn L to follow path alongside road until the jetty.
3. The walk can end here by catching the boat bus. To continue, rejoin the road and take lane up behind hostel and follow uphill to Ashness bridge.
   Take footpath on L just before bridge. Go through stone wall and take middle track uphill. Continue on to corner of wood and follow woodland edge to Lady’s Rake viewpoint.
4. At viewpoint go down over stile and L to follow wall downhill and into the valley. Cross bridge to road by farm. Turn L and after 100 yards go L again and back across stream. After mast keep L of stream and follow road back down straight into town centre.