Route: Catbells
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 3rd October 2013
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 7.5 miles
Ascent: 1,300 feet
It was another rainy start as I left Nichol End Marine to walk along the Cumbria Way, heading south along the shore of Derwent Water
I arrived at the foot of Catbells and views of the lake soon opened out – not very well sadly, as it was misty with low cloud, but at least the rain had stopped by this point
There are two of three scrambly sections up the delightful ridge. Hands are needed in places and I took extra care as the wet rock was very slippery
The summit of the fell affords some of the best views in the district when it’s clear. Today it wasn’t, but nevertheless it was a grand place to be
I descended towards Maiden Moor, then turned back to walk along the lower flanks of Catbells. The rest of the walk was along quiet paths and lanes. I was glad I’d made the effort, as Catbells and the Newlands Valley are beautiful whatever the weather
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
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The start of the walk - Nichol End Marine
The Cumbrian Way
Signs of autumn…
Catbells ahead - the summit is misted over
The start of the climb up the ridge
Derwent Water - it had stopped raining by now, but the views were very restricted
Looking back down the ridge
Newlands Valley, I’ll be coming back that way later
Memorial plaque to Thomas Arthur Leonard, positioned on the first scrambly section of the ridge
Derwent Water again
The summit of Catbells is ahead
Looking back along the ridge
Another rocky section just before the top
It was a real shame that the views were so poor today
I continue in the direction of Maiden Moor
Looking down into Newlands - my return path is down there
Causey Pike
A brief and belated burst of sunshine
Swinside ahead, with Skiddaw beyond in the clouds
Looking back to Catbells
Back to Nichol End, just as the Keswick Launch pulls in
