| Overview | Countrywalker Grading |
| Moderate walk to around Derwent Water with fine views from Hause gate and the peaks surrounding the water. |
Moderate (height of 360M, 1180ft).
|
| Footpaths | Time taken |
| Walking on road surface and tracks. | 6 - 7 hours (including breaks). |
| Starting/ End Positions | Distance |
| Start from Braithwaite and end at Keswick or back at Braithwaite. | 11 miles (18 Kilometres). |
Map Guide: OS outdoor leisure 4, north western lake district (1:25,000).
Take the A66 west from Keswick to Braithwaite. Start the walk from here (GR232235).
Head south along the public footpath sign or alternatively take the narrow road south to Little Braithwaite (GR238230). Here the road passes over Newlands Beck. Turn right here and walk alongside the stream walking up into Newlands valley. You will end of on the road near a junction for Stoneycroft Stair (GR239214). Go south from here taking the road past the telephone box on the left.
Here the road begins to climb gradually and you will notice Cat Bells to the east of you. Head to village of Little Town (GR234194), then turn left at a National Trust signpost. Climb up to the path and turn left, heading alongside the wall to your left. The path will split into two, where you must take the right one, heading up to the stream you can see. If you keep climbing this will eventually put you at Hause Gate (GR244192), just below Cat Bells(451M, 1480ft).
Excellent views of the Skiddaw Range of mountains and Keswick can be seen from here and is well worth the detour. You can also see the small village of Grange and the fells beyond this from here.
Continue by walking down the other side of Hause Gate towards and head towards Derwent Water (GR257187). Go through woods and around the south side of the Great Bay. Here there are views to the south and north, towards Skiddaw. This will take you to the Eastern side of the water, near to Borrowdale Road (B5289). Opposite here are the Lodore Falls which is worth a visit while here (GR264187).
Turn left here and head back up the road towards Keswick (B5289). You can if you so wish take a ferry from one of the landings on the Eastern side of Derwent Water to Keswick instead, saving around 2 miles of walking up the road.
Around a mile from the falls you can take a left turn along a public footpath towards Derwent Water again. Head for Friar's Crag (GR264223) and you will see Cat Bells. Turning north will lead you past the landing stages and the boat house and on into Keswick (GR266232).
At Keswick you will most probably want a rest and refreshments. To return back to Braithwaite follow the B5289 and the A66 or catch a local bus or taxi.
Walk first completed: August 1997
Walk last updated: November 2001