Route: Catbells
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 7th May 2015
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 3.1 miles
Weather: Sunny intervals
Today was the day of the General Election and I had to be on the other side of the country in order to cast my vote. This left me with limited time for a walk. I looked at my list of lakeland fells and after a few moments decided to put my ‘X’ against the name of Catbells – an ideal candidate, being a shapely fell with wonderful views and easily attained
I set off early as Catbells is a magnet for walkers and, at the risk of sounding curmudgeonly, I dislike a crowd scene on a summit – or anywhere else for that matter, the KC Stadium excepted
I parked in one of the few spaces near Skelgill and walked round the foot of the fell before starting the ascent up Skelgill Bank. As I gained height the views improved and I was reminded what a beautiful little fell this is
After gaining the summit I continued in the same direction towards the hause between Catbells and Maiden Moor, then turned back along the flanks of Catbells towards the start. I would happily have repeated the journey all over again, but it was time to head east
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)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
The start of the walk. Cat Bells or Catbells? According to Wainwright it’s one word so that’s good enough for me
Looking across to Swinside at the start of the climb
Derwent Water comes into view as I round the corner to start up the nose of the fell
Looking back along the path, with the distinctive knobbly outline of Causey Pike beyond
Lodore on the far side of Derwent Water - the start of yesterday’s walk
Zooming in on one of the Keswick launches, which had been another feature of our last walk
Swinside again, and a glimpse of Bassenthwaite Lake
Derwent Bay and Keswick
A short scrambly section, which can be avoided, but I wanted to photograph the memorial plaque
A fitting memorial, but shame on those who have defaced it with their pathetic scratchings
Ard Crags and Causey Pike
Looking back along the path, with Skiddaw in the background
Swinside and Bassenthwaite Lake again
Looking towards Grange Fell and Borrowdale
The well worn path to Catbells lies ahead
Beautiful Newlands Valley
Looking down to Derwent Water and Brandelhow Woods
Otterbield Bay and Keswick
Looking back from the summit ridge to Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwent Water
Summit of Catbells, with Maiden Moor beyond - it was a huge temptation to carry on, but time did not permit
Derwent Water islands and Blencathra
Castle Crag and the oh so inviting path up to Maiden Moor
I turned off the main path just before the hause to start the descent
Heading back to the start along the western flank of Catbells
The views into Newlands Valley are superb from this path…
Skiddaw
Near Skelgill
The car is just round the corner - it had been a short walk, but a very sweet one
