Catbells

Park at: Lakeside Car Park - Keswick (pay and display car park with toilets)
Distance: 6 mile circular walk
Duration: 3 hours

Height: 451m / 1,480ft

Wainwright height ranking: 189 of 214

1) From the car park head towards Derwentwater lake for a sailing start to Hawse End.

2) Buy a return ticket from Keswick Launch Boat Landings direct to Hawse End. The direct shuttle boat usually runs every hour in the summer months but don't forget to check the timetable. 

3) The boat takes around 15 mins to arrive at Hawse End after setting sail.

4) After disembarking the boat follow the sign that says 'Cat Bells 1/3 mile 15 mins' ascending up through an area of woodland before bearing left and through a gate to another sign saying 'Cat Bells 1 mile 1 hour'.

5) The mass of fells should now be right in front of you. Follow the stone path around the left hand side of the mound towards Derwentwater lake before taking a sharp right to ascend up a steep stone path.

6) Keep climbing and you’ll pass a memorial to Thomas Arthur Leonard.

7) Continue straight along the path. You will reach a summit where you will be able to see the summit of Catbells.

8) Continue in the same direction descending slightly before shortly ascending towards the rocky summit of Catbells. There’s a bit of a scramble to reach the top.
 
9) Once at the top you will have panoramic views of water, mountains and valleys. Skiddaw and Blencathra can be seen to the north with Keswick nestled below them. Behind the summit enjoy views of Maiden Moor and High Spy.

10) Continue in the same direction south from the summit heading downhill. Stay on the path until you come to a set of steep stone steps on your left hand side. Follow these down until you reach a path forking to the left – this is the Catbells bridleway.

11) Follow Catbells Bridleway hugging the side of the range to your left with the lake on your right. After around 2 miles you will arrive back at Hawes End through a stretch of woodland.