Cat Bells - 3 and half miles, moderate.

Start from the small free car park just beyond Hawes End, on the road to Skelgill. The car park is at the side of the road just after the hair pin bend in the road. This is a 3 and a half mile walk that takes a couple of hours.

From the car park, an obvious stone stepped path climbs on to the base of the fell and within a minute or so there is a fine view over Derwent Water to Keswick (depending on the weather of course). Follow the rocky path uphill as it twists and turns over outcrops of rock. Cat bells is often described as a family Fell. At 451 metres it’s by no means the highest in the area, but it is steeper than many expect it to be and is quite a challenge.

Height is soon gained as you follow the obvious path upwards, occasionally having to do a bit of scrambling over the rocks. The first peak reached is Brandlehow at 388 metres. from here there is a really pleasant stretch along the grassy ridge before another steep ascent on to Cat Bells.

As you approach the climb to cat Bells, the much higher mountain of Maiden Moor looms above it , The mountain that has been to your right all the way up is Causey Pike. There is a final scramble over a rocky outcrop before the summit is reached. A small pile of stones marks the summit, and the views over Derwent Water and in to Borrowdale are spectacular.

Continue onwards as the path starts a gentle descent along the ridge path towards Maiden Moor. Just before the path starts to climb steeply again, take the obvious stone path to the left that soon steepens in it’s descent towards the Allerdale Ramble directly below Black Cragg, this broad track skirts Derwent Water on it’s way back to Hawes End.

Follow this path all the way around the base of Cat Bells with the lake on your right. The path drops to meet the road at a small quarry and car park, but immediately climbs back on to the fell just past the quarry, A short ramble takes you back to the road where you started.