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Keswick Walks and Walking Guide

Lake District, Cumbria

Find circular walks from Keswick, an excellent base for walking in the Lake District National Park. On the shores of Lake Derwentwater and with Skiddaw, England's fourth highest mountain, as a backdrop you its location is perfect. With plenty of accommodation, cafés, restaurants, bars and gear shops it has all the local amenities required. Easy access along the A66 from junction 40 of the M6 is a major benefit passing mighty Blencathra along the way. From the shores of Derwentwater you have a wonderful view to Walla Crag, Borrowdale, Catbells, Causey Pike and many other Lakeland fells.

All walks are free to download and print, all have mapping and GPXS files. The walks listed below are all within easy driving distance from Keswick and public transport can also be used for some routes. The routes vary from easy family walks to hard fell walks visiting mountain summits.

★ = GPS file available

WalkDescriptionGradeMiles
2032Great How, a short ascent above Thirlmereeasy2.00
2321Shores of Derwentwater from Keswick easy3.50
1011Knott Rigg and Ard Crags from Newlands Hauseeasy/mod3.50
2019Raven Crag, the Benn & Shoulthwaite Gill near Thirlmereeasy/mod4.00
3525Cat Bells (Route 2) from Gutherscaleeasy/mod4.00
2036Cat Bells from Gutherscaleeasy/mod4.00
2041Barf (via the Bishop) and Lords Seatmod/hard4.00
1356Walla Crag from Great Woodeasy/mod4.50
2524Thirlmere Circulareasy5.00
1506Sharp Edge & Blencathra from Scalesmod/hard5.00
1008Blencathra via Sharp Edge from Scalesmod/hard5.00
1158High Rigg from Legburthwaiteeasy5.50
2005High Rigg & Legburthwaiteeasy5.50
1676Ullock Pike, Long Side and Carl Sidemoderate5.50
2040Ullock Pike & Carlside from near Keswickmoderate5.50
1188Blencathra via Hall's Fell ridge from Scalesmod/hard6.00
2038Tower Ridge on Eel Crag returning via Sail & Barrowhard6.25
1155Causey Pike from Stoneycroft, near Braithwaitemoderate6.25
3029Derwentwater & Walla Crag from Keswickeasy/mod6.50
1187Robinson & Hindscarth from Newlandsmod/hard6.50
1247Helvellyn & Raise from Swirlsmod/hard7.00
2244Whitewater Dash and Great Calvamoderate7.00
2525Standing Crag & Dock Tarn from Watendlathmoderate7.00
2049Calfhow Pike & the Dodds from Legburthwaitemoderate7.50
1244Lonscale Fell & Latrigg from Underscarmoderate7.50
1693Grange & Watendlath from Rosthwaiteeasy/mod7.60
3132High Tove & Blea Tarn from Armbothmoderate7.60
3470Blencathra via Foule Crag from Scalesmod/hard8.00
1268Cat Bells & High Spy from Grangemoderate8.00
2587Castlerigg Stone Circle & St John's in the Valeeasy/mod8.50
2025Helvellyn & Wythburn from Swirlsmod/hard8.50
1120Grisedale Pike & Crag Hill fro Braithwaitemod/hard8.50
2581Lord's Seat & Barf from Whinlattermoderate8.50
1732Coledale and Newlands circular from near Buttermerehard9.00
1108Ashness Bridge & Grange Fell from Kettelwellmoderate9.00
1073Skiddaw & Glenderaterra Beck from Underscarmoderate9.00
3037High Seat & Bleaberry Fell from Keswickmoderate9.00
2526Standing Crag, Ullscarf & Borrowdalemod/hard10.00
1444Great Gable (Borrowdale route) from Borrowdale Youth Hostelhard12.00
3119The Newlands Horseshoe - Catbells, Dale Head & Hindscarth mod/hard12.00

The walks listed above are the nearest 40 from Keswick when measured in a straight line.

Recommended Reading

Walking the Lake District Fells - Wasdale

Walking the Lake District Fells - WasdalePart of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 25 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from the Wasdale, Eskdale and Ennerdale valleys, with highlights including Scafell Pike, Great Gable and Pillar. Suggestions for longer ridge routes are also included.
More information

Walking the Lake District Fells - Keswick

Walking the Lake District Fells - KeswickPart of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 30 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from Keswick, Whinlatter, Bassenthwaite, Caldbeck, Mungrisdale and Threlkeld, with highlights including Skiddaw and Blencathra. Includes suggestions for longer ridge routes.
More information

Further Information

Walk Location Map

Walk location map

Walking in Lake District

Walking in the Lake District National Park is amongst the best in the British Isles. The natural beauty has attracted many artists and writers through the centuries and today the same scenery provides the perfect backdrop to a wide variety of walks. The National Park is located wholly within Cumbria with Windermere, Ambleside and Keswick the main tourist towns. For many this is the finest area in England for walking with a wide variety of scenery. Even on the busiest weekends it is possible to get away from the crowds by carefully selecting one of the less-visited fells. More Information

Walk grading - Learn how each walk is assessed and select a walk to suit your ability and experience by going to Walk Grading Details.

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