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Skelgill Bank – Catbells Summit loop from Keswick

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Hiking trails & Routes

Skelgill Bank – Catbells Summit loop from Keswick

Moderate

4.8

(95)

725

hikers

Skelgill Bank – Catbells Summit loop from Keswick

04:08

13.3km

420m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 22, 2026

Tips

Temporary access restrictions

Includes segments with temporary access restrictions.

After 12.5 km for 74 m

Customers only

After 12.7 km for 90 m

Customers only

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

2.88 km

View of Derwentwater

Highlight • Viewpoint

One of my favourite places to visit in all weather can get here by walking, driving if parking is available and by steamer

Tip by

3.19 km

View of Derwentwater

Highlight • Viewpoint

see this on the way to and from catbells. this can be done by all ages and fitness levels

Tip by

3.55 km

After the steep ascent up from Hawes End, many first time visitors to Catbells initially mistake Skelgill Bank to be the main summit. However, upon reaching the crest, they are met with the site of Catbells' domed apex rising higher still ahead. It's a wonderful and exciting sight. No wonder Catbells is often referred to as a 'mountain in miniature'.

Tip by

4.36 km

Catbells Summit

Highlight • Summit

The hike along Catbells is extremely popular — and for good reason. The walk is absolutely classic; fun terrain, spectacular views, lots of places to stop for picnics. In high season, it's unlikely that you'll be alone on the top. However, if you are in the northern lakes, you simply must enjoy the splendour of the Catbells. The name 'Catbells' may have come from the old English phrase 'cat's bield' — a wild cat's shelter — and is possibly from days gone by when wild cats still roamed these fells.

Tip by

5.02 km

Hause Gate

Mountain Pass

5.44 km

View of Derwent Water

Highlight • Viewpoint

You can indeed see Derwent

Tip by

8.65 km

Viewpoint overlooking Derwent Water

Highlight • Lake

Nice view worth the walk to go and see

Tip by

9.07 km

Withesike Bay

Highlight • Forest

Withesike Bay is one of many along the Derwentwater shoreline. You can get a brilliant sunrise here. The bay can get busy during peak season but there are others nearby to choose from.

Tip by

9.51 km

Low Brandlehow Jetty

Highlight • Lake

Keswick Launch jetty. Tickets can be purchased on the boat. For more details about Keswick Launch, visit keswick-launch.co.uk

These cruises sail past Derwentwater's four islands, now owned by the National Trust and each with its own special history; Derwent Island, Lord’s Island, Rampsholme and St Herbert’s Island. The latter can be seen from the west shore, and is named after the saint who brought Christianity to the area in 685 AD. Legend tells us that on St Herbert's death on 20th March 687, his wish to die the same day as his great friend, St Cuthbert, was fufilled. After his death, the island he lived on as a hermit became a place of pilgrimage, and St. Herbert’s cell can still be identified amongst the undergrowth.

St Herbert’s is also the inspiration for the fictional Owl Island in Beatrix Potter’s ‘The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin’. Derwentwater and St. Herbert’s Island was also used as a filming location for the 1974 and 2016 Swallows and Amazons films.

Tip by

13.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.26 km

1.57 km

1.26 km

1.04 km

142 m

Surfaces

5.23 km

2.56 km

2.46 km

1.58 km

1.10 km

349 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (420 m)

Lowest point (80 m)

Weather

Sunday 5 July

21°C

16°C

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Comments

January 31, 2023,Catbells from Keswick 🥾🥾🥾

Quite a long walk out from Keswick through Portinscale to start the hike. The route to Catbells summit is well signed at the start and rises steeply and steadily from the road. There are two false summits on the way up - the first one is a little scramble (although there is a path around it on the left). There …

January 10, 2024,Catbells

Walking from CCC site in Keswick we headed on the footpath to the Portinscale suspension bridge. Followed the road turning left onto a footpath passing Linghome cafe and garden arriving at Hawes End. Cross the road and begin the ascent up Catbells with a couple of scrambles. A good path easy to follow with stunning views of Derwentwater from the …

April 21, 2022,Nichol End to Lodore Over Cat Bells

Started at Nichol End, through the woods and up Cat Bells before descending to the southern end of Derwentwater and round the bottom end of the lake to Lodore.

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Skelgill Bank – Catbells Summit loop from Keswick

View of Derwentwater

View of Derwentwater

Skelgill Bank

Catbells Summit

View of Derwent Water

Viewpoint overlooking Derwent Water

Withesike Bay

Low Brandlehow Jetty

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