7 of our favourite walks in Keswick

Keswick is a quaint market town sandwiched between Skiddaw Mountain and Derwentwater Lake. The area is a hotspot for sports and outdoor activities and, in the past, was the inspiration for several great painters and writers.

Hiking opportunities are by far the biggest crowd draw, and to help inspire you we’ve listed our favourite Keswick walks below. Explore our listings of campsites near Keswick to find somewhere great to stay.

The Shores of Derwentwater

Derwentwater is the Lake District's third biggest lake and its shores are brimming with wildlife. It's one of the few lakes where it is possible to walk the entire way round and, at 8 miles, it's a long but leisurely amble.

If anyone does end up lagging behind, there are regular buses and launch services to get them back safely. The walk passes by the Canon Rawnsley memorial, a founder of the National Trust. Other highlights of this walk include the view from Calfclose Bay and the Great Bay.

Friars Crag and Castlehead

This easy walk initially follows the shoreline of Derwentwater and is buggy and wheelchair friendly, but the route is all about the views!

The first scenic pit stop is Friars Crag, which juts out over the water and was a favoured spot of John Ruskin, the Victorian watercolourist.

Continuing past the National Trust Centenary Stone and round Calfcross Bay, the path turns back on itself, clipping the edge of the Great Wood before the trail arrives at Castlehead. At the top, there is a map naming all the surrounding striking hills.

Castlerigg Circle

The Castlerigg Circle walk provides a lovely contrast of modern town life and ancient countryside monuments, creating a timeline of Keswick’s history in 3.7 miles.

Starting at Moot Hall, the path heads out past Spring Farm, Springs Ghyll, and Castlerigg Farm. Castlerigg is a megalithic stone circle which has been named one of the most visually impressive prehistoric monuments in Britain. The return leg of the journey passes the River Greta, along part of the old Keswick railway line.

Walla Crag and Ashness Bridge

The long but gradual climb over Falcon and Walla Crag is rewarded with fantastic views over the Grange at Borrowdale, which used to be farmland that belonged to Furness Abbey. After the traditional stonework of Ashness Bridge, the trail heads past the picturesque wooden jetty of Ashness Gate landing before heading back towards Keswick again.

Latrigg

For this route, hike North out of Keswick through Fitz Park, close to the Pencil Mill, the town’s main industry provider. Then ascend one of the Lake Districts smallest fell peaks for a magnificent grassy setting at Latrigg, an area completely devoid of rocks.

The walk back into Keswick follows the River Greta and the Keswick railway footpath, bringing the hike to just over 6 miles long.

Catbells

A more challenging walk heads west of Keswick out through what used to be an important mining area. The walk to the summit of Catbells is one of the most popular fell trails and provides stunning panoramic views of Shiddaw, England’s fourth highest mountain.

Descend into the peaceful Newlands Valley, home to Goldscope mine and Little Town which was made famous by Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Mrs Tiggy Winkle. To return, retrace your steps through Fawe Forest or take a launch across the lake to keep the walk under 10 miles.

Threlkeld

The old railway line was last used in 1972 and threads its way through the forest along the bank of the fast flowing River Greta to Threlkeld. The route has numerous exciting suspension bridge crossings and is fantastic for wildlife enthusiasts. The path is well maintained and relatively flat so it is great for all kinds of explorers from walker, to buggy-bound kids, cyclists and wheelchair users. In fact, the only forms of transport not permitted are motorcycles and horses.

The walk is approximately 6 miles long with the option to divert past Castlerigg too.

It is easy to wander off into the glorious Keswick scenery, but the weather can quickly change in the Lake District so make sure you take the right gear. Never leave camp without a planned route, map, compass, food and water.

As a lot of the land around Keswick is privately owned, make sure you are respectful by leaving gates as you find them, keeping dogs under strict control and never littering!

Why not drop one of our Lake District facts into conversation to amuse your walking companions as you go?