Walking Routes in and around Keswick
Choose your walk.....
The mountains surrounding Keswick are just the place for your next adventure, whether you want to climb the highest peaks or search out the best views and most interesting routes. The highest peaks of Scafell Pike, Helvellyn and Skidddaw are all withing easy reach but so are dozens of other mountains offering miles of glorious walking with spectacular views. Great walks also abound without climbing to the summits. Try the terrace path on the slopes of Catbells, the walk over to Watendlath from Rosthwaite or climb by Grains Gill to Sprinkling Tarn, nestling beneath the craggy face of Great End.
Various walks such as Skiddaw, Latrigg, Walla Crag and the walk round Derwentwater can be started from Keswick town centre. Using the local buses and the Keswick Launch gives you the opportunity to explore the whole area without needing to take your car.
We have provided free walking routes with downloadable pdfs plus links to a variety of walks in the Keswick area. Make sure you read Safety on the Fells before partaking in any outdoor activities!
Walking routes in and around Keswick with free downloadable pdfs. These walks should be used as a guide and in conjunction with an Ordnance Survey map. Click on the walk titles for route details and downloads.
Latrigg from Keswick walking route - an easy up and down route via Spooney Green Lane from Keswick with a circular route round the summit.
Castlehead from Keswick walking route - a low wooded hill close to Keswick town centre only 162 metres high with splendid views for minimum effort, a great way to get your bearings.
Rosthwaite Circular and Millican Dalton's Cave Walking Route - This is an easy short walk in the beautiful Borrowdale Valley with lots of interest along the way.
Valley walks - Try Newlands Valley a short walk into a quiet part of the valley with historical and literary insights or Stonethwaite Valley a low level walk from the village of Rosthwaite through spectacular Lakeland valley scenery with striking river features.
Bowscale Tarn from Mosedale - A lovely walk up to an isolated tarn and back through the valley.
Castle Crag from Seatoller - this walk follows the terrace path above the Borrowdale Valley, and climbs to the summit of Castle Crag returning to Seatoller via a riverside path.
Keswick to Threlkeld railway path information - bridges are still down on the route, however half of the route is open so walkers and cyclists can access the first 1km section of the path from Keswick. A link path for walkers only gives walkers access up to Latrigg and to Threlkeld. Click here for the route to Threlkeld and click here for the circular route up Latrigg using the access path.
Castlerigg Stone Circle and Tewet Tarn - This circular walk starts and finishes at Castlerigg Stone Circle passing the tiny isolated church at St John's in the Vale and then over to Tewet Tarn, a lovely spot with fine views over to Blencathra, Latrigg and Skiddaw.
Latrigg Circular walking route via the Raillway Path - A new path linking the railway path just past Low Briery now goes through Brundholme Woods to Brundholme Road allowing walkers access up to Latrigg.
Rannerdale Knotts and the Valley of the Bluebells walking route - particularly good mid May when the bluebells are in flower but still a lovely walk with great views any time of the year.
The Cumbria Way is a 120km route from Ulverston to Carlisle which passes right through Keswick.
Barrow Fell from Braithwaite walking route - although Barrow is of modest height at 455m there are excellent 360 deg views from the summit, a great reward for not too much effort. Barrow Door this alternative walking route goes part way up Barrow and then drops down to return through the peaceful Newlands Valley.
A short walk from Keswick to Castlerigg Stone Circle setting out along the old railway path and returning via Springs Wood.
Buttermere and Scale Force - a lovely walk around Buttermere with the option to extend the route to the highest waterfall in the Lake District - Scale Force
Climb Walla Crag from Keswick for stunning views over Derwentwater to the fells beyond. This route then drops down to Ashness Bridge and returns via the lakeshore.
This route takes you along the terrace path above Loweswater with a gentle stroll back along the lakeshore.
More strenuous mountain walks - Looking for a more challenging route? Try Helvellyn from Thirlmere, Skiddaw via Jenkin Hill or the classic horseshoe walk The Coledale Round from Braithwaite
Catbells - Take the Keswick Launch to start your ascent up Catbells and return via the lakeshore to Hawse End.
Sale Fell - one of the lesser known fells located in a quiet area. Only modest in height nevertheless it has superb views over Bassenthwaite Lake. A choice of 2 walks to the summit or round the fell. Neither walk is over strenuous and would be suitable for families with the second route being the easier of the two
Newlands Round This fabulous horseshoe walk tackles the skyline crest and exploits the line of least resistance to reach a significant number of summits. It crosses the famous trio of Cat Bells, Maiden Moor and High Spy then turns west to cross the more remote summits of Dale Head and Robinson.
Derwentwater Lakeshore walks - the low-level circular walk from Keswick to Calf Close Bay is great in all seasons whilst for a slightly longer version with great views why not try Great Wood and Derwentwater -
Visit the National Trust shop at Derwentwater Foreshore for info on 7 waymarked walks through the woods and along the lakeshore. More info. They also have walking route suggestions in Borrowdale and Buttermere.
Access for All
42 routes in the National Park ideal for people with limited mobility, wheelchairs, buggies. Download the walks from Miles without Stiles.
The Derwentwater Walk A scenic 10 mile waymarked walk around Derwentwater, Queen of the Lakes. On flat and easy paths, the walk passes through ancient woodlands and along the shores of the lake. The scenery is stunning, with perfect picnic stops and cafes and restaurants en-route. Click here to view or download the route.
Guided Walks
The Lake District National Park organise a programme of events including guided walks, click here for more information.
Visit our family walking page for ideas about where to take the children. More info.
Forest Walks around Keswick
Click here for the Walking Trails Map in Whinlatter, Englands's only Mountain Forest. Dodd Wood & Great Wood also have a good network of paths.
Book Your Accommodation Locally
Here on www.visitkeswick.com you can plan your stay and book your stay on Keswick’s Official Visitor Website. Discover where to eat, sleep, shop and have fun in Keswick the Lake District.
Book your accommodation on-line with us to support the local economy.
Book quality Guest houses and experience a true Lake District welcome or spoil yourself in a luxurious Hotel
Stay in superb Self Catering Cottages in idyllic valley and town locations
Try Camping and glamping or book a caravan in wonderfully situated campsites. Camping in the Lake District has to be one of the great holiday experiences
Explore our six lakes– Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, Buttermere, Crummock Water, Loweswater and Thirlmere
Discover our valleys - Borrowdale, Buttermere, Newlands, Derwent, St John’s in the Vale and back of Skiddaw
Climb our mountains – Skiddaw, Catbells, Blencathra, Scafell Pike, Helvellyn