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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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. - 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.
Details
- Distance: 18km/11 1/2 miles
- Time: 5 1/2 hours
- Ascent: 658m/2158ft
- Maps: OS 1:25,000 Explorer sheet OL4; Harevy;s 1:40,000 British Mountain Map (Lake District)
- Transport: Keswick is a short bus ride from Penrith train station on the X4 and X5 buses