Discover the Lake District’s iconic beauty with this expertly curated collection of 15 short walks in and around Keswick, Borrowdale and Buttermere. Each route has been handpicked for its stunning scenery, local interest and accessibility, inviting you to explore this spectacular corner of the Lake District National Park at a relaxed pace, perfect for families, newcomers and anyone seeking gentle adventure.

• Each walk comes with a clear, easy-to-follow Ordnance Survey® map and step-by-step route description, making navigation in the Lake District simple and enjoyable for walkers of all experience levels.
• Practical information is included for every route in the Keswick, Borrowdale and Buttermere areas, covering parking, public transport options, facilities and must-see highlights, so you can focus on making the most of your day.
• Discover classic Lake District landscapes as you walk beside Derwentwater and Buttermere, explore the dramatic valley of Borrowdale and enjoy panoramic viewpoints from Cat Bells, Castle Crag, Rannerdale Knotts and Skiddaw, alongside fascinating historic sites such as Castlerigg Stone Circle and Ashness Bridge.
• Routes range from 5 to 11km (all under three hours), including an optional longer challenge walk, and are graded easy to moderate, with short climbs but no technical terrain, ideal for a relaxed outing or a walk with the whole family in the Lake District.
• Enjoy the best of Lake District hospitality, with recommendations for welcoming pubs and cosy tea rooms along the way, plus expert tips for every season, from spring’s wildflowers and summer’s long days to autumn’s rich colours and the crisp magic of winter walks.

Part of Cicerone’s trusted Short Walks series, this Keswick, Borrowdale and Buttermere guidebook is perfect for exploring the area’s most memorable walks. Whether you are discovering lakeshore paths, climbing small but rewarding fells or visiting ancient sites and viewpoints, this guide offers everything you need for a rewarding day out in one of the Lake District’s most spectacular landscapes.

15 Short Walks in the Lake District - Keswick, Borrowdale and Buttermere - Quick Facts

Location: Keswick, Borrowdale, Buttermere and surrounding areas, Lake District, Cumbria, North‑West England, UK (including Derwentwater, Cat Bells, Skiddaw, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Rannerdale Knotts, Ashness Bridge and more)
Total walks: 15 selected short walks
Typical duration: Under 3 hours each (mostly)
Distance per walk: 4.5–10 km (3–6 miles)
Walk type: Easy day walks with one optional longer challenge route
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; short climbs and gentle terrain suitable for most walkers
Navigation: Clear Ordnance Survey® maps and step-by-step route descriptions included
Highlights: Derwentwater, Buttermere, Cat Bells, Skiddaw, Rannerdale Knotts, Castlerigg Stone Circle, Ashness Bridge, Castle Crag, waterfalls, lakes, picturesque villages, and welcoming pubs and tea rooms
Best season: Walkable all year round; spring for wildflowers, summer for long days, autumn for dramatic colours, and crisp winter days for impressive views

Author Highlight

“There are good reasons why the Lake District is regarded as one of the UK’s top destinations for walking. There’s the natural scenery – a wonderful combination of hills (known locally as fells) and valleys, with the occasional lake thrown in for good measure, all liberally sprinkled with areas of woodland. Then there’s the cultural landscape – an environment that has been shaped by farming, by mineral extraction and by millennia of settlement. Its compact nature, with roads criss-crossing the area, and relatively low fells, make the Lake District easily accessible compared with, say, the Scottish Highlands. Throw in an intricate network of paths and trails, as well as vast areas of access land, and you’ve got a region that is just crying out to be explored on foot. Popular with tourists, it also benefits from a good range of facilities – plentiful accommodation, places to eat, and bus and boat services, for example – making it an ‘easy’ destination for visitors.”

- Vivienne Crow, author of 15 Short Walks in the Lake District: Keswick, Borrowdale and Buttermere

Map key
Overview map
Using this guide
Route summary table
Introduction
What to expect
Where to stay
Travel
The walks
1. Rannerdale Knotts
2. Buttermere circuit
3. Borrowdale, Seathwaite and Seatoller
4. Rosthwaite and Stonethwaite
5. Castle Crag
6. Watendlath and Ashness Bridge
7. Derwentwater shore
8. Cat Bells
9. Friar’s Crag and Castlehead
10. Castlerigg Stone Circle
11. Latrigg and Keswick Railway Path
12. Barrow
13. Seat How and the Whinlatter forests
14. Dodd
15. Skiddaw

Useful information

Seasons

These walks can be enjoyed any time of year, and each season brings its own delights. Borrowdale is particularly lovely in spring and autumn. Winter can bring snow and ice.

Centres

Keswick, Rosthwaite, Braithwaite and Buttermere

Difficulty

The valley and lake routes are suitable for nearly all abilities; however, a moderate degree of fitness as well as waterproofs and more robust footwear are recommended for higher walks. Basic navigation skills are valuable for the higher routes and in poor weather. In particular, the inexperienced should avoid Skiddaw in poor weather.

Must See

Borrowdale’s ancient woods; the lakes of Derwentwater, Crummock Water and Buttermere; Castlerigg Stone Circle; traditional Lakeland pubs; cosy cafes; isolated hamlets; fell-top viewpoints, including Cat Bells and Castle Crag; picturesque bridges, including Ashness Bridge; low ridges; lake cruises; birds of prey and other wildlife; summit of Skiddaw, England’s fourth highest mountain

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