logo Walking Britain
Home About Holidays FAQ Email MENU ☰

Shores of Derwentwater from Keswick

Lake District Walk

Nat Park - Lake District - Lake District Central Fells

County/Area - Cumbria

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 3.5 miles / 5.7 km    Ascent - 150 feet / 45 metres

Time - 1 hours 50 minutes    Grade - easy

Maps Ordnance Survey Logo Anquet Maps Logo

Ordnance Survey Explorer OL4Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL4Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 90Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 90Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Shores of Derwentwater from Keswick
Click image to see photo description.

This linear Lake District walk starts from the large car park adjacent to the landing stages in Keswick (grid ref. NY265228) and follows the shores of Derwentwater for just over three miles south to Lodore. From here you can return to Keswick using the launch service (click for more details). Note that at certain times of the year the launch service is relatively infrequent so you should allow yourself plenty of time to reaching Lodore.

Exit the car park and walk down to the jetties from where the launches depart. You can check the timetable here when passing. Continue past the jetties and follow the path on the shore of Derwentwater. You soon enter woodland and it is worth taking the path as close to the shore as possible so you can enjoy the first of many views from Friar's Crag. The path continues along the shore to Strandshag Bay where you go inland a short, cross a footbridge and turn right. Reaching a T-junction of paths (grid ref. NY268220), turn right and continue to pass in front of Stable Hills. Just past this large house, turn right and follow the concessionary footpath which returns to the shore of Derwentwater with Lord's Island lying just offshore.

The path continues around the shore of Calfclose Bay, passes through a short section of woodland to regain the shore with the Borrowdale Road immediately to your left. After reaching the landing stage at Ashness Gate in Barrow Bay the path veers away from the road for a short section before returning to the road opposite Strutta Wood (grid ref. NY267197). Bear right down the road with the lake to your left. Sadly, there is no option but to walk along the road. Do be aware of the traffic which in high season can be very busy. However, in 250 metres you can escape the road and take the concessionary footpath on the left which is opposite the small lakeside car park on your right. Continue along this path to regain the road at Lodore by the Watendlath Beck. Cross the road and take the footpath down to Lodore jetty.

It is worth mentioning that even on sunny days it can be cold on the launches so do take an extra layer so you can relax and enjoy the cruise back to Keswick.

Other walks nearby

Walk 2587 Castlerigg Stone Circle & St John's in the Valeeasy/mod8.5 miles
Walk 1356 Walla Crag from Great Woodeasy/mod4.5 miles
Walk 2036 Cat Bells from Gutherscaleeasy/mod4.0 miles
Walk 3525 Cat Bells (Route 2)easy/mod4.0 miles
Walk 3119 The Newlands Horseshoe - Catbells, Dale Head & Hindscarth mod/hard12.0 miles
Walk 1073 Skiddaw & Glenderaterra Beckmoderate9.0 miles
Walk 1244 Lonscale Fell & Latriggmoderate7.5 miles
Walk 1108 Ashness Bridge & Grange Fellmoderate9.0 miles
Walk 1155 Causey Pikemoderate6.3 miles
Walk 1120 Grisedale Pike & Crag Hill fro Braithwaitemod/hard8.5 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

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

Walking the Lake District Fells - Patterdale

Walking the Lake District Fells - PatterdalePart of the Walking the Lake District Fells series, this guidebook covers a wide range of routes to 35 Lakeland summits that can be climbed from Ambleside, Grasmere and Patterdale and the Thirlmere and Ullswater valleys, with highlights including Helvellyn and Fairfield. Suggestions for longer ridge routes are also included.
More information

Messaging & Social Media

Message Walking Britain and follow the latest news.

Facebook  Twitter

Mountain Weather

Stay safe on the mountains with detailed weather forecasts - for iOS devices or for Android devices.