Catbells FAQ

451 metres (1,480 ft) above sea level. Derwentwater at its foot is about 75 m above sea level, so the summit stands about 370 m above the lake.

In the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, on the western shore of Derwentwater, south-west of Keswick and about 3.5 miles (5.5 km) from it by road. The usual start is Hawes End, across the lake from the town. Getting there.

Both. The Ordnance Survey map says Cat Bells; most walkers, signs and guidebooks write Catbells. Where the name comes from.

About an hour from Hawes End to the summit, and about two hours for the classic circular walk. With the boat or bus from Keswick, allow half a day. Walk times from every start.

The classic circular from Hawes End is about 6.9 km (4.3 miles) with 380 m of climbing. Straight up and down the ridge is about 3.6 km (2.2 miles). All four walks.

It's a short, steep fell walk with two rocky steps where you use your hands. Most people who are steady on their feet manage it in dry weather. It's much harder when the rock is wet or icy. Is Catbells hard?

Yes: it's the fell many people climb first. Choose a dry day with light wind, wear shoes with grip, and go up the ridge and down by Hause Gate so you don't have to climb down the rock steps. Is it a good first fell?

There are two short ones on the north ridge from Hawes End, one below Skelgill Bank and one just below the summit. They're easy in the dry and slippery in the wet. The route from Grange has none. The walk from Grange.

No. The National Trust says there's no permanent car park, only a layby with eight spaces at the start (Gutherscale, CA12 5UE) and another at Little Town. The lane has double yellow lines. Catbells parking.

Most people are better off parking in Keswick, at the Lakeside car park (£9.00 for up to 6 hours) or the rugby club, and taking the launch across the lake. The layby at the start has eight spaces and is usually full early. All the options.

CA12 5UE is the postcode the National Trust gives for the Gutherscale layby at the start of the path. It covers a wide area, so use the map link on our parking page. For the Keswick Lakeside car park and the launch, use CA12 5DJ.

Yes. The Keswick Launch runs from Keswick to the Hawes End jetty in 10 minutes: £6.95 for an adult single and £3.50 for a child. It runs daily from 21 March to 8 November 2026, on selected days in winter, and not in December or January. Times and fares.

From spring to early November the 77A from Keswick bus station stops at Hawes End Cattle Grid, at the foot of the path, about 11 minutes from Keswick. In winter, take the 78 to Grange and walk up from there. Buses.

Yes. It's about 4 km (2.5 miles) and an hour each way on footpaths through Portinscale and the Lingholm woods. Catbells from Keswick.

No, not at Hawes End, the jetty or on the fell. The nearest public toilets are at the Lakeside car park in Keswick (50p, card only). Food and toilets.

Yes. Keep it on a short lead, because sheep graze the fell, and be ready to lift it up the two rock steps. Dogs travel free on the Keswick Launch. Dogs and kids.

Yes. There's no minimum age: children used to walking usually manage the north ridge, with help on the rock steps; the route from Grange is easier with younger ones. Catbells with kids.

Not for a careful walker in decent weather, but Keswick Mountain Rescue Team lists it as a safety hotspot: slips on the rocky steps, usually on the way down, are the common accident. Safety.

Yes, with care. Days are short, the launch runs on few days and not at all in December and January, and ice on the rock steps turns a family walk into a winter scramble. Winter on Catbells.

Yes. It's one of the 214 fells in Alfred Wainwright's Pictorial Guides, in the North Western Fells volume, and one of the lowest and most often climbed.

Derwentwater and its islands directly below, Keswick with Skiddaw behind it to the north, Blencathra to the north-east, Borrowdale to the south, and the Newlands valley and the north-western fells to the west.

Yes. The Tale of Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle (1905) is set at Little Town, at the western foot of the fell, and the hedgehog's home is in the hillside above it. History and stories.