Lake District and Keswick Walks

Quite a few Lake District walks of different degrees of difficulty can be undertaken from the door of Riverside Cottage, varying from a gentle stroll to Friars Crag to heading for the top of Skiddaw. More details of the walks below and many, many more are to be found in the Cottage as well as a town plan of Keswick, boat and bus timetables.

Friars Crag / Around Derwentwater - A short level walk, suitable for the disabled, to a beautiful view overlooking Derwentwater. With your back to the entrance to the Information Centre in Keswick, take the right hand exit into Lake Road and continue for 150 metres. Take the paved road (still Lake Road) down to the right. At the bottom take the left-hand turn under the subway. After the subway continue ahead with Hope Park on your right. Bear right past the wishing well and go past the Theatre on your left. As you arrive at the lake continue ahead onto the gravel track to Friars Crag.
This walk can be extended to make a13km (8 miles) easy stroll taking about 5-6 hours around Derwentwater or you can do part of this walk and pick up the Keswick launch at one of the piers around the lake.

Castlerigg Stone Circle - A moderate walk of approx 6km (3.75miles) 2-3 hours to an excellent viewpoint over Keswick and the surrounding fells.

From Riverside Cottage follow the road into Keswick going straight across the road junction into Station Street. Where the road bends right turn left into St John's Street and just before the road climbs a hill turn right onto Springs Road to arrive eventually at Springs Farm. Go ahead over the beck and to the left of the farmhouse. Keep left where the path splits through a wicket gate into woodland. The walk continues with good views of Derwentwater, Catbells and the Newlands Valley to the Stone Circle and returns in a circular route back to the Cottage.

Catbells and Newlands - Catbells and Newlands a more strenuous walk of 13km (8 miles) taking about 5-7 hours plus time waiting for the launch for the return journey. Walking boots, waterproof clothing a map and a compass are a must.
This walk goes through the Market place in Keswick, past the Post Office crossing the bridge over the River Greta then immediately left by the river then through a kissing gate across fields to the River Derwent. Full details of the walk with its impressive views of Keswick, the Lake and surrounding valleys are among the information at the cottage.

Other suggestions - The moderate Lake District walk up Latrigg 10km (6miles) about 2-4 hours again a circular route from the cottage through Fitz Park and on up Spooney Green Lane across woodlands and fields to the amazing viewpoint from the summit then continuing round and down to the river and your return to the Cottage.

Walla Crag and Ashness Bridge can be a moderate Lakeland walk of 9km (5.5miles) or you can use the Keswick Launch to or from the Ashness Gate landing stage to shorten the walk to one of the most photographed views in the Lakes.