Five of the best short walks in and around Keswick
Keswick, a lively market town in the Lake District, sits on the northern edge of Derwentwater and is located just 20 minutes from the M6. It’s the perfect base for fell walkers, with direct access to stunning mountains like Skiddaw and Blencathra, as well as easier walking, which allows walkers to experience the beauty of the Northern Lake District without the daunting heights and challenging terrain of the fells. If you're looking for short day walks of up to 3 hours with easy navigation, you've come to the right place. Here are five of the best short walks in Keswick and the surrounding area.
15 Short Walks in the Lake District: Keswick, Borrowdale and Buttermere
£9.95
SALE
£7.96
Discover 15 of the best short walks around Keswick, Borrowdale and Buttermere. Each walk comes with easy-to-read Ordnance Survey maps, clear route description and lots of images, plus information on local beauty spots and tasty refreshment stops. No challenging terrain or complicated navigation means walks can be enjoyed by everyone.
More information
The best walk for lake and fell views...
What: Cat Bells
Summary: A boat trip is followed by a stiff, sometimes rocky climb to a popular viewpoint
Start/finish: Hawes End jetty
Time: 2¾hr
Distance: 6.5km (4 miles)
Climb: 450m
A 10-minute ride on the Keswick Launch to Hawse End is followed by a climb onto Cat Bells, one of the finest viewpoints in the area. The climb is steep in places and involves clambering on bare rock . After dropping from the ridge, the return route uses an easy-going terrace path along the base of the fell, providing a second, more leisurely opportunity to drink in those wonderful lake and fell views.
The best walk to see prehistoric sites...
What: Castlerigg Stone Circle
Summary: Through woods and across fields to a prehistoric enigma
Start/finish: Moot Hall, Keswick
Time: 2¼hr
Distance: 7.5km (4¾ miles)
Climb: 200m
The 5000-year-old stone circle at Castlerigg occupies a magnificent spot, towered over by Blencathra and the northernmost reaches of the Helvellyn range. After following a gently climbing woodland path from the edge of Keswick, this walk heads out across fields to visit the prehistoric site. A quiet road then drops into the town and picks up the route of the old railway.
The best walk for lakeside rambles..
What: Derwentwater shore
Summary: A long but easy walk in and out of woodland and beside the lake, finishing at Keswick
Start/finish: Bus stop on B5289 near Grange
Time: 2½hr
Distance: 9.5km (6 miles)
Climb: 110m
Walkers can catch the bus from Keswick to start this route at Borrowdale’s quiet riverside village of Grange. After a short stretch of road walking, it heads for Derwentwater. Once you reach the lake, good paths take you north along the open shore and through mixed woodland. All the while, breathtaking views of Skiddaw come and go. The route passes several cafes and goes through the village of Portinscale on its way to Keswick. It is also possible to cut the walk short by catching the Keswick Launch from one of the five piers on this side of the lake.
The best walk for climbing a popular fell..
What: Skiddaw
Summary: A steep, there-and-back hike to the top of England’s fourth-highest mountain
Start/finish: Top end of Gale Road, 1.1km east of Underscar Hotel
Time: 4½hr
Distance: 10km (6¼ miles)
Climb: 665m
Skiddaw dominates many walks in this book, its looming bulk a constant presence. Attaining the 931m summit of England’s fourth highest mountain might seem like a massive leap up from those routes, but walkers get a leg-up by starting at almost 300m above sea level and then following a well-constructed path almost all the way. Pick a day of good weather, give yourself plenty of time, and you’ll be rewarded at the top with far-reaching views and a tremendous sense of achievement.
The best walk from the nearby village of Buttermere...
What: Rannerdale Knotts
Summary: A short, steep climb onto a grassy ridge and a walk down a hidden side valley
Start/finish: Buttermere village
Time: 3hr
Distance: 8km (5 miles)
Climb: 360m
Sitting at the foot of mighty Grasmoor and close to the craggy High Stile range, Rannerdale Knotts (355m) might be only a low summit, but it can hold its own among these giants. Its ridge, climbed from Buttermere, is a joy to walk. The northern slopes hide a tranquil side valley that hosts a spectacular bluebell display in springtime, and the return path along its southern flank is graced by mesmerising views of Crummock Water.
All these walks (plus 10 more!) are included in our guidebook to Short Walks in the Lake District - Keswick, Borrowdale and Buttermere. Other highlights include Castle Crag, Dodd, Latrigg and Keswick Railway Path, plus walks around Rosthwaite and Borrowdale. Easy-to-read maps and clear route descriptions make these walks perfect for beginners and families. No specialist gear is needed, and each route includes information on facilities, parking, and highlights.
Looking for more of a challenge?
Walking the Lake District Fells - Keswick
Skiddaw, Blencathra and the North
£16.95
SALE
£13.56
Mark Richards’ Walking the Lake District Fells series is a unique collection of eight guidebooks with all the routes to the summits of 230 Lakeland fells. This guide explores 30 summits from the Keswick area. Designed so peak-baggers can create adventures using the complete route descriptions, HARVEY maps, fell-friendly paths, and hand-drawn topos.
More information
