Derwentwater, Keswick, England
By The Alpines · Updated 2025-02-15 · 7 min read
Catbells is the perfect introduction to Lake District fell walking. Rising above the western shore of Derwentwater, this small fell packs an enormous amount of character into a short walk. The ascent from Hawse End is steep but never long, and within an hour you're standing on one of the finest viewpoints in the Lakes — Derwentwater spread out below, Skiddaw to the north, and the Borrowdale valley stretching south towards the high fells.
The summit ridge is the highlight. A narrow, undulating crest with gentle scrambling leads you over the top and along to Maiden Moor if you want to extend. Most people turn back at the summit and descend the same way, making it a quick half-day outing.
Wainwright called Catbells "a family fell where grandmothers and infants can have their day out" — and that's accurate, though the steep sections and exposed ridge deserve respect in poor weather. On a clear day, this is as good as fell walking gets for the effort involved.
Start from the Hawse End car park (or the roadside layby on the Borrowdale road). The path climbs steeply from the start up a well-worn trail. There are a couple of short, easy scrambling sections on rock steps — hands may touch rock but nothing exposed. The gradient eases as you reach the ridge, and the final pull to the summit cairn is a joy with views opening up in every direction.
Spend time on the summit soaking in the panorama — Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite, Skiddaw, Blencathra, and the Borrowdale fells are all visible. You can extend along the ridge towards Maiden Moor and High Spy for a longer day, or simply return the same way. The descent is steep on the knees but quick, and you'll be back at the car park within an hour.
Catbells is walkable year-round. Spring and autumn offer the best combination of quieter paths and good visibility — the autumn colours in Borrowdale are spectacular from the summit. Summer weekends are extremely busy, with queues forming on the steeper sections. Winter is fine in dry conditions but the steep rocky sections can be icy — microspikes are worth carrying from November to March.
The car park fills early on sunny weekends. Arrive before 9am or consider taking the Derwentwater launch from Keswick to Hawse End landing stage — it's a lovely way to start the walk.
A short but steep fell walk. The ascent is concentrated into the first kilometre, so you need to be comfortable with a sustained uphill effort. No scrambling experience needed — just reasonable fitness and sturdy footwear.
A sharp 350m climb over 1–2km on a well-maintained but rocky fell path
Some short rocky steps that require hands for balance — easy scrambling, not exposed
You're ready for this adventure when you can:
Get mountain-ready with our 12-week training programme. Build the strength, endurance, and confidence you need to take on Catbells.
Last updated: 2025-02-15 · 7 min read