Keswick
We're always being advised nowadays to do more walking as an aid to a healthy lifestyle. What better area could there be for both body and soul than to benefit from the wonderful countryside, peacefulness and clean air of Keswick and the Northern lakes? It offers a network of paths, of endless variations covering everything you might want to do; all have lots of interest and great views, leaving you content with the day's exercise and looking forward to the next day.
An easy starter, especially for the children, would be the short climb onto Castlehead (162m, 531 feet), only ten minutes out of Keswick, but with splendid views of the Borrowdale valley and beyond. The old railway track is now a first class level and quiet path to nearby Threlkeld, following and crossing the course of the River Greta, a lovely wooded valley. Still starting from Keswick is the obvious target of Latrigg (367m, 1174 feet), easier to reach than it might look and with a glorious panorama of northern Lakeland from the summit. Walla Crag is another lovely walk which you can start from Keswick and commands wonderful views over Derwentwater. Both Derwentwater(about 9miles, 5 hours) and Buttermere (about 4 miles, 2-3 hours) have clear round the lake paths with minimal road use and splendid views. The Derwentwater walk can be staged by using the launch and bus services. Catbells (445m, 1424') is an extremely popular fell to climb. Combined with a launch trip to or back from Keswick the options are to follow the ridge or take the easier terrace along this prominent fell. A favourite of Wainwright and where he chose to have his ashed scattered is Haystacks (582m, 1908'). This is a very varied route with great views into the Buttermere Valley. The round trip from Gatesgarth takes about 3-4 hours though this walk can be extended to include a circuit of Buttermere.
At the other extreme for those wanting to tackle the highest peaks the area contains England's highest mountains all within easy reach of Keswick, Skiddaw (931m, 3054'), The Scafells (977m, 3206'), Helvellyn (949m, 3116') and Great Gable (899m, 2949').
For downloadable walking routes click here.
You might decide to join a walk led by a local guide who can take you to places that only local knowledge can find. Click here to view details of experienced guides.
Always resist the temptation to over-estimate your fitness and abilities. It is much better to enjoy a walk on the lower fells and be raring to go out again the next day than to have to push yourself so hard that the following morning sees you exhausted blistered and crawling downstairs. The weather is always unpredictable. Check the weather forecast and be prepared. Wear clothes that are comfortable and dry quickly. Choose artificial wicking fibres partnered by breathable waterproofs.
The Lake District National Park Authority have put together Miles without Stiles routes at www.lake-district.gov.uk/index/enjoying/outdoors/miles_without_stiles.htm, ideal for those in wheelchairs, buggies or who find walking a challenge. There are 21 simple short options to give a blast of fresh air without tramping for hours or negotiating stiles. All routes have been 'road tested' by local residents using wheelchairs, and a grading scheme has been adopted in terms of surface quality and gradient. The most recently introduced walk to be created is a high level wheelchair friendly route on Latrigg bringing new opportunities to those with limited mobility. This is a Bassenthwaite Reflections project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. A carefully graded hardcore 592m section has been opened up from the Gale Road car park to the crest of 368m. The summit of Latrigg is a superperb vantage point with magnificent views from the Helvellyn range in the east, to Keswick, Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake.
Among the multitude of guidebooks in the area, the mammoth achievements of Alfred Wainwright still hold pride of place on the bookshelves. Wainwright, who originated from Blackburn and later moved to Kendal first visited the Lake District for a week's holiday at the age of 23 where he fell in love with the beauty of the landscape. It was in 1952 that Wainwright came up with a 13 year plan to write a series of books to detail 214 fells and mountains he had identified. His seven volumes, covering the uplands of the Lake District were published between 1955 and 1966. Handwritten and with superbly detailed pen and ink drawings they became indispensable classics for all grades of fell walker. Wainwright walked the Lakeland fells for over 30 years, often bivouacing overnight in order to enjoy the solitude of the fells at dawn. More recently, the BBC Series 'Wainwright Walks', presented by Julia Bradbury, have followed in the famous fellwalker's footsteps and brought the books back to life including ascents of Catbells, Scafell Pike, Blencathra and his final resting place Haystacks after his death in 1991.
Wainwright's Pictorial Guides to the Lake District
Book 1: The Eastern Fells
Book 2: The Far Eastern Fells
Book 3: The Central Fells
Book 4: The Southern Fells
Book 5: The Northern Fells
Book 6: The North Western Fells
Book 7: The Western Fells
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