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 Explorer OL4 | Sheet Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Anquet OS Explorer OL4 | Digital Map | 1:25k | BUY |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 90 | Sheet Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Anquet OS Landranger 90 | Digital Map | 1:50k | BUY |
Walk Route Description
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 Vale | easy/mod | 8.5 miles |
Walk 1356 | Walla Crag from Great Wood | easy/mod | 4.5 miles |
Walk 2036 | Cat Bells from Gutherscale | easy/mod | 4.0 miles |
Walk 3525 | Cat Bells (Route 2) | easy/mod | 4.0 miles |
Walk 3119 | The Newlands Horseshoe - Catbells, Dale Head & Hindscarth | mod/hard | 12.0 miles |
Walk 1073 | Skiddaw & Glenderaterra Beck | moderate | 9.0 miles |
Walk 1244 | Lonscale Fell & Latrigg | moderate | 7.5 miles |
Walk 1108 | Ashness Bridge & Grange Fell | moderate | 9.0 miles |
Walk 1155 | Causey Pike | moderate | 6.3 miles |
Walk 1120 | Grisedale Pike & Crag Hill fro Braithwaite | mod/hard | 8.5 miles |
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