Cat Bells


Cat Bells must be one of the most popular walks in the northern Lake District. I have climbed it a countless number of times myself but not at all recently. It's summit is barely 1,500ft high but it has a couple of difficult spots where some scrambling is required. There are splendid views across Derwentwater to Skiddaw and Blencathra. After ascending and descending, there is a fine woodland and lakeside walk back to the starting point.

The forecast for the 1st March was not great with heavy wintry showers forecast in a deteriorating situation. I was hoping to get up and down before things got too bad.

There is a small, rather rough, car park at the northern end of the ridge at Gutherscale with room for perhaps just fifteen cars. You need to be lucky to find a space; I was lucky on this occasion. 		  Gutherscale car park 11:10 Gutherscale car park, about halfway along the single line of cars


Signpost 11:02 Signpost shows it is not far at all   Derwentwater 11:19 Derwentwater with Skiddaw and Blencathra


The path rises steeply 11:26 The path has many hairpin bends   A rocky outcrop lies ahead 11:28 A rocky outcrop lies ahead


An outcrop of rocks will involve some scrambling, although an easier route may be found to one side or the other. Some walkers find this section difficult and may even decide to turn back, which would be a pity.

There is another difficult section that involves some more scrambling just before the final ascent to Cat Bells summit.

An interesting feature is a plaque to Thomas Leonard that has been set in the rocks. 		  Plaque on the rocks 11:34 Plaque to Thomas Leonard set in the rocks


Cat Bells summit in sight 11:46 Cat Bells summit in sight   Looking back 11:59 Looking backwards during a brief period of sunshine


Bad weather on its way 12:12 Almost at the summit and bad weather is closing in fast   The summit of Cat Bells at 451m is rounded with rocks and grass but no proper cairn.

The view over Derwentwater is truly splendid even in poor weather

I was on the summit at 12:12, so it took just one hour after leaving the car park.

After leaving the summit I maintained the direction to descend to Hause Gate.


Derwentwater and Keswick 12:12 Derwentwater and Keswick in sunshine from Cat Bells summit


Cat Bells rounded summit 12:18 Looking back at the rounded summit of Cat Bells   Hause Gate 12:26 Hause Gate, where I will turn left to descend


The start of our descent 12:33 The start of my descent from Hause Gate   Stone steps 12:36 Steep stone steps that twist and turn


Steps become an easier path 12:41 Stone steps become an easier path   Path reaches the road 13:12 The path reaches the road, where I turn left


Enter Manesty Woods by the pillar box 13:20 Manesty Woods are entered by the pillar box   Shore of Derwentwater 13:35 Shore of Derwentwater


Path by the shore of Derwentwater 13:38 Path close by Derwentwater   Brandelhow woods come down to the shore 13:46 The woods at Brandelhow come right down to the water's edge


Carved wooden hands 13:56 Carved wooden hands in the wood   Carved hands again 13:56 Carved hands from the front


Line of tress 14:00 Line of trees where I leave the lakeside   At the line of trees, I made a left turn and had a ten minute walk back to my motor car. The whole walk had taken about 3 hours.

I would not recommend Cat Bells in any strong wind, which seems to accelerate over the rounded summit making it difficult to stand. Otherwise, it can be an easy walk when higher cloud rules out many other peaks. Of course, a really nice settled day is best of all.

Editor: Peter J. Cosker   peter@the2coskers.com   other Lake District walks   Updated: 29/11/2017