Region: Lake District National Park, Cumbria
Places To Stay: Keswick is the best base for this walk, full of cosy pubs, walkers’ cafes and local charm. Book a room or cottage in advance, especially in peak season: Keswick accommodation | Lake District stays.
Looking for more Lake District walks? Try Old Man of Coniston, Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Buttermere
All my walking guides and adventures are free to read, thanks to the support of kind folks like you. That said, creating and walking each route takes time (and plenty of coffee!), so if you’ve enjoyed this post or found it useful, feel free to share it around — or even treat me to a coffee or two. It really helps keep the boots moving and the guides coming. You can do that here: click this link. Diolch as always!
Cat Bells is a small but iconic fell standing proud above Derwentwater. It’s one of the most walked routes in the Lake District, and with good reason. It’s a short walk, it’s accessible, and it rewards you with classic Lakeland views across lakes, fells and valleys. If you’re looking for a perfect half-day hike, this is it.
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Getting There: Directions, GPX and App Link
- Start point: Hawes End car park (limited spaces), postcode: CA12 5UE
- Or take the Keswick Launch ferry from Keswick to Hawse End Landing Stage
- Google Maps link to Hawes End car park
- Download the GPX file here to use on your devices.
- You can also view and follow this route on my Outdooractive profile
Hike Profile
- Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.6 km (circular)
- Duration: 2 – 2.5 hours
- Highest point: 451m / 1,480ft (Cat Bells summit)
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate – short, sharp ascent and a little light scrambling
- Route conditions: Well-trodden paths and grassy trails. Grippy walking shoes or boots recommended.
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Hike Description
The walk begins either from the roadside parking near Hawes End or via a short boat ride across Derwentwater from Keswick. From the start, the path climbs steeply up to Skelgill Bank, where the views open up in every direction. You will walk past a plaque to Thomas Arthur Leonard, who was the founder of co-operative and communal holidays.
From there, it’s a steady pull up to the summit of Cat Bells, a great little ridge walk with some short, fun rocky scrambles to make it interesting. You’ll get cracking views across to Skiddaw, Blencathra, and Borrowdale, plus the lakes stretching far below.
Walk this route yourself in 3D!
The Video is a 3D walk through of this route; it will give you a unique sense of having walked through the route before you start.
I have created 3D Videos of my adventures and have shared them with the OutdoorActive community as well as my walking community.
Cat Bells Walk, Lake District - 3D VideoContinue down the back of Cat Bells and loop back via the gentle path known as the Allerdale Ramble along the lower slopes, above the tree line by the side of the lake. Eventually at the end of this trail, you will arrive where you started.
It’s a walk that punches well above its weight and is ideal if you’re short on time or walking with family.
Cat Bells Walk FAQs
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