Bongo Twisty

Enough is Plenty

Cat Bells

A visit to the Lake District would not be complete without at least one walk to the top of a big hill. What with spouse and I not being regular users of shanks pony least of all up mountains I asked around for recommendations for a novices hill climb. Cat Bells was suggested and did not disappoint.

Cat Bells seen from across Derwent Water, with its twin summits rising above a band of dark green forest along the shoreline. A small motorboat sits on the rippling grey water in the foreground, and the hills are covered in a mix of grass and bracken under an overcast sky.
Cat Bells from Derwent Water. The climb starts from the right crosses over the ridge then up to the summit on the left.

This mini mountain sits near Derwent Water, close to Keswick. Described by Alfred Wainright as a, “…family fell where grandmothers and infants can climb the heights together”. Sounded doable.

The 16 mile drive to Keswick Launches was pleasant enough across the top of fells with a collection of peaks for the backdrop. We got a ferry across to Hawse End which is pretty much where the climb starts.

A well trodden path led the way up. We got about a third of the way before the first rock scramble. Spouse chose to have a sit down here, sending me on my way to “get some photos”.

It was a bit further than I expected. Not sure I’d agree with Wainrights description, however it was exactly that for many families. Young kids scrambled up rocks as if they were climbing stairs. Older generations made their way up and down, steely eyed and determined.

The views on the way and from the top were fantastic.

A wide view across Derwent Water under an overcast sky, with three prominent wooded islands sitting on the calm, grey-blue surface. The shoreline is densely forested in the foreground, and the town of Keswick is visible along the far shore with its buildings clustered near the water's edge. Layered fells rise behind the town, fading into blue-grey haze under thick cloud cover.
A steep fellside slope covered in a mix of golden-brown grass and dark green vegetation, with a narrow path winding sharply uphill toward a rocky summit. Two small walkers are visible on the path, giving a sense of the gradient. Further fells stack into the distance under a pale, overcast sky.
A wide view over a valley surrounded by forested hills, with patchwork fields in varying shades of green and gold stretching across the valley floor. A dirt path winds through the foreground on the lower left, and scattered tree clusters break up the open fields. Distant mountains recede into haze under a soft, overcast sky.
A gravel path winding uphill along a grassy ridge toward a rounded summit, with two small walkers visible on the trail ahead. The foreground is a mix of green tussocks and golden-brown grass, and the sky is partly cloudy with white cumulus drifting across pale blue. Distant fells and valley fields fade into the horizon.
An elevated view over a green valley of patchwork fields in varying shades of green and gold, bordered by dense woodland on the higher slopes. A faint path descends diagonally to the right, and a small white farmhouse sits tucked among the trees. A broad stretch of water is visible on the distant valley floor, with layered fells fading into haze beyond. Overcast sky with soft, diffused light.
A panoramic view from the top of Cat Bells looking down over Derwent Water, with its wooded islands visible on the calm, grey-toned lake. Rolling fells and patches of forest stretch beyond the water, with distant mountains fading into mist. In the foreground, grass and golden-brown heath cover the slope, and a path winds up toward the summit.
A wide panoramic view from a fell top looking down into a broad valley of patchwork green fields divided by hedgerows and tree lines. Golden-brown grass covers the foreground slope, with a faint path curving down to the right. A steep hill with reddish-purple tones rises on the left, and distant mountains fade into blue-grey haze under a partly cloudy sky.
A wide view across rolling fellside under an overcast sky, with a winding dirt path cutting through grass and bare earth. Two walkers are visible on the trail, giving scale to the landscape. Distant layered hills fade into haze on the horizon, and a broad fell dominates the right of the frame.
A stone trig point standing on a rocky outcrop of scattered boulders and scree, with a faint path winding down the slope below. Layered fells recede into blue-grey distance under a softly overcast sky, with patches of green vegetation visible in the valley.

Back down again and reunited with spouse it was time for ice cream before getting the ferry back over the water to Keswick. Bit of a stroll along the shore before heading to Keswick proper for something to eat and drink, a gentle walk up and down the high street, then the drive back to the campsite. A good day out.

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