Keswick Walking

A list of Keswick Walking routes with Photos and links to Maps and Guides.

Many walkers at Keswick use the buses as they often allow more variation to the walk. The Keswick Bus Station is in the centre of town next to the large Booths Store.
Google Keswick Bus Stops, Bus Numbers and Routes.

Handy numbers to have are for Davies Taxis Tel: 01768 772 676. This company provides pick up and drop off services for walkers and dogs.

Click on the Maps for Directions.

The Keswick Walking routes are listed by closest to Keswick.

Cumbria Way South
The 70 mile Cumbria Way runs right through Keswick. You can follow the South Trail from Keswick centre, around the top of Derwentwater to the small village of Portinscale, down the west side of Derwentwater, and round the south side to the large Lodore Falls Hotel with a beer garden, about 7 miles in distance. There is a pier by the Lodore Falls Hotel where you can catch a boat back to Keswick, and regular buses run from the hotel to Keswick. You can also start the walk with a scenic boat trip from Keswick Launch across the lake to Portinscale. The website below has a map of the route.
Website . OS Map . Image

Cumbria Way North
The Cumbria Way Trail North goes out of Keswick east side at Brundholme Road, crosses the A66 via a footbridge, climbs up and around Latrigg Hill to the top hiking car park for Skiddaw mountain at 950ft. The trail then leads up the valley between the 3,054ft Skiddaw and the 2,848ft Blencathra mountains to Skiddaw House. The Cumbria Way trail then leads north to the village of Caldbeck, about 14 miles altogether. Alternatively, you can follow another trail from Skiddaw House, round the north side of Skiddaw mountain to the scenic village of Bassenthwaite, from where you can catch a bus back to Keswick, about 6 miles between Bassenthwaite and Keswick. The website below has a map of the routes.
Website . OS Map . Image

Castlerigg Stone Circle
1 and a half miles east of Keswick. This walk starts from Keswick centre, or there is a car park close to the stone circle. The circle is thought to have been constructed around 3200 BC. Use the Google Map Link and change to walking for the route out from Keswick.
Wiki Page . Road Map

Ashness Bridge
3 miles south of Keswick. Ashness Bridge is said to be one of the most photographed sights in the lake district. There are a number of walking trails at the bridge, around, or up to the top of the 1,935ft Castlerigg Fell, and the 1,994ft High Seat. There is a large tourist car park by the bridge. Buses drop off at start of the hill road up to the bridge, about half of a mile walk. There is also a trail between Keswick and the Ashness Bridge that runs along the side of Castlerigg Fell.
Website . OS Map . Google Map

Dodd Wood
4 miles north of Keswick by Bassenthwaite Lake. A visitor centre with the Old Sawmill Cafe, walking trails, and in the spring, the Bassenthwaite Ospreys can be watched from viewing areas in the forest. The Mirehouse Mansion for visits and walks through the gardens to the lake is also here. There are regular buses that run between Keswick and Dodd Wood.
Website . OS Map . CA12 4QE

Thirlmere Reservoir
7 miles southeast of Keswick. The car parks at Thirlmere have a bus stop and regular buses that run between Keswick and Grasmere. There are well marked paths along the side of the reservoir, with notice boards showing the attractions along the paths. Across the road is another car park under the 3,117ft Helvellyn mountain. That car park can be used to hike the mountain, and for trails along the bottom of the mountain.
OS Map . Photos . Map . Image

Grasmere
12 miles south of Keswick. The walk from the scenic village of Grasmere, around Grasmere Lake, is one of the most popular and scenic in England. Many walkers hike up onto the side of Loughrigg Fell, on the south side of the lake, for great views over the lake to Grasmere. There are regular buses between Keswick and Grasmere.
Photo Tour . OS Map . Map . Image

Guided Fell Walking with Cathy and Skye
Guided walks for individuals or groups to many of the top hiking and walking locations around Keswick, or to less well known trails that only a local guide can provide. Tel: 01768 774 824.
Website