The best Catbells Walk route, near Keswick, in the Lake District

Catbells offers some of the best views that the Lake District has to offer for a relatively modest in height mountain/fell for the Lakes. It's also a quick walk and near Keswick so its very accessible.

The best Catbells short circular walking route (with stunning views of Derwent Water)

This is my favourite short circular walking route of Catbells because of the amazing views of Derwent Water on the entire walk, even on the descent and way back. Catbells is a popular Lake District walk and it's easy to see why, as it is quite short, quick to do, has great views and even has a little bit of a fun and challenging scramble up a couple of rock faces. It's great for adults and kids alike.

Read on to learn more about the best Catbells walk route in my humble opinion 

Catbells circular walk overview:

Cat Bells Walk Distance: 3.8 miles (6.2km)

Cat Bells Walking Time: 1.5-2 hours

Cat Bells Walk Start: Car Park at Skelgil or Hawes End ferry landing stage

Cat Bells Walk Difficulty: Moderate

For those new to walking to Catbells, just beware it is fairly steep in 2 short sections as there are 2 little scrambles up steep rock that require you to use your hands (as you can see in the photo). It's a route that kids do often and with care is perfectly safe.

How high is Catbells? 

451m is it’s elevation and it's a well-known and distinctive landmark overlooking Derwent Water and Keswick with impressive views of the surrounding mountains, like Skiddaw on clear days.

Catbells walk route:

On this photo I have illustrated on a photo of Catbells from a distance, the circular route you will take on this walk so you can get a feel for the kind of terrain you will be walking. The walk basically starts on the right of this photo and up the steep-ish Skelgil Bank first then it goes left (south) towards the Catbells summit and back down the opposite, gentler end. I fully recommend doing the walk this way as its more fun, and less strain on the knee's! going up Skelgil bank rather than coming down it.

Catbells walk map:

This route starts from the foot of Skelgil Bank goes in an anti-clockwise direction. It is a quickish walk up to Catbells and the return leg takes you along the eastern edge of Catbells to give stunning views of Derwent Water along every step of the way. Click the button below to view the full interactive map including a 3D fly-through version. 

If you don't have a Phone Map App - I really recommend the one by Ordnance Survey. You can download route maps to your phone such as this one and the app will show you exactly where you are on the route even when you have no signal - so no more taking a wrong turn :-)

As you can see on this elevation chart of the walking route - once Catbells has been tackled it's plain sailing on the way back :-)

Photos of what to expect on the best Catbells walk:

This walk starts right at the foot of Sklegil Bank just off the road. If your heading here by car - try and park as close to this point as possible. There aren't many car park spaces though, so be sure to see my note on car parking at the bottom of this blog post.

The walks begins with a nice gentle uphill - always a plus ha

It doesn't take much to gain some height and the stunning Derwent Water soon comes into view

On this sunny, clear autumn day the views are impressive over Derwent Water towards Walla Crag & Ashness Bridge. (I have another blog post on a walk over the other side of Derwent Water here if your interested www.hikingphotographer.uk/2016/08/walk-from-keswick-castlehead-walla-crag-ashness-bridge)

The initial path winds it's way up Skelgil Bank, changing between stone steps and gravel path.  

Looking back down over the winding path we've just walked.

Approaching the first little scramble

Here you can see the first scramble up the rock face. It's nothing too tricky - but may be a bit slippy in the wet.

You may have to use your hands for the first scramble. This is why I recommend doing this circular walk to the Catbells summit from the northern, steeper-end via Skelgil bank, as its easier gong up the steep rock than coming down it! It's all perfectly safe in dry conditions and make the walk a little bit more fun and varied (if you are not very mobile, a complete novice or a bit scared of heights you might find it a bit of a challenge though!)

Onwards and upwards, Catbells is just in shot in the far distance behind this little peak

The view over Newlands Valley is pretty impressive with lot's of other fells that are good walks too.

The views are great all the way on this walk and here you can see the mountain of Skiddaw covered in cloud and Blencathra in the distance to the right 

Shidting our gaze slightly left (north-west) and looking over towards Bassenthwaite Lake in the distance.

We're not far from Catbells summit now and the walk is flat for a bit

Approaching the 2nd steep section where again you may have to use your hands a little bit

Admiring the view (taking a rest ;-)

This section can be a little tricky - and you just find the best way up yourself across the rock. For those with a fear of heights you may feel a bit exposed here. It's perfectly safe though if you just take your time and watch your footing. Like I said it's easier going up this way than back down and in the wet it can be slippy.

And we arrive at the Catbells summit! We're looking north here backwards where we have walked and get stunning views of Derwent Water, the town of Keswick off to the right and the mountains of Skiddaw & Blencathra in the distance.

Shifting our view more to the north-west here towards Bassenthwaite Lake

For a quick walk, it maybe took 40 mins to get up here - the views are fantastic and it's definitely a place to stop, take a rest, grab a bite to eat and a drink and just soak up the views.

If we look east from the summit we look over towards Ashness Bridge and Lodore Falls hotel - where the trees give it a very autumnal feel

And now looking west from the summit of Catbells towards Robinson, Grasmor and the surrounding fells

After a 10 min rest we head down from the summit of Catbells via the southern route which is more gentler.

Looking towards Borrowdale with the autumnal Manesty Forest Park in full view

This is an important junction on the path. If you carry on straight ahead you can extend your walk up to Maiden Moor, but on this particular route - make sure you take the left and descend ;-)

The descent from Catbells via the southern end is much gentler and you will see some stunning views of Borrowdale, Manesty Park and over to the Ashness Bridge area. On this photo Manesty Park is in full view and on the longer walk you can walk through the forest to vary the walk up. Visit my "4 Best Catbells Walks" blog post to see this longer Catbells route

Looking back up the path we have just walked down.

As we near the end of our descent this spot was a good place so soak up the view and enjoy a drink of coffee from the flask.

The path is pretty flat now all the way back the start and you'll have views of Derwent Water all the way back.

You'll have a nice leisurely stroll all the way now

And finally back to where we parked. If your lucky there may be spaces to park your car along the road side when you visit :-)

Where to park on a Catbells Walk?

Whilst free to park, there isn't great deal of car parking spaces at the foot of Skelgil Bank (maybe room for 10 cars or so) which get full quite easily. If this is the case, head along the road to Grange on the eastern edge of Catbells where there are sections where you can park on the roadside, which is what we did. Again there isn't massive amounts of car parking spaces, so on a weekend with good weather it may prove tricky to find a spot. Tip - get there early or do the walk out of season or mon-fri.

[Click photo to enlarge] You can just about make out the road along the eastern edge of Catbells here which heads to the village of Grange, and you can see the cars parked on the road side. This is your best chance of finding somewhere to park (and its free).

I hope this little blog post sheds some light on what is the best walk up Catbells and for those unfamiliar with the the area it helps you plan your walk. I really recommend Catbells if you are in the Keswick area as it offers some great views.

As mentioned - if you don't have a Phone Map App - I really recommend the one by Ordnance Survey. You can download route maps to your phone such as this one and the app will show you exactly where you are on the route even when you have no signal - so no more taking a wrong turn :-)

Happy Hiking!

Post by Stuart Hodgson 

'The Hiking Photographer'

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