My first ever hike in the Lake District - Cat Bells! By Indy

STD

Cat Bells [NW]

Indy's first outing in the Lake District

Distance 10.85 km, Time 3.48 h, Total Ascent 548 m Imperial | Metric

INDY SAYS: My first ever hike in the Lake District - Cat Bells! I enjoyed it. Some care required though - Cat Bells is not quite the simple climb that many think, there are a couple of rocky sections. No water on the fell.

Overcast, chilly, some wind

From Portinscale we walk alongside Derwent Water, past Lingholm and nearly to Hawes End, the landing stage for the launch from Keswick.
Not much of Derwent Water is seen on this part of the walk - we are mainly in woods.
Up past the Cattle Grid, and we emerge onto the fell.

It's their mountain, we pass by without disturbing them

The view from Cat Bells, even in poor weather, is relaxing

Indy waits for us to catch up... Come on !

Descent with view of Derwent Water and Keswick in the distance

A lone walker descends Cat Bells

Walking through the woods past Lingholm

Arriving at Portinscale, only 5 minutes to home now

Start: Portinscale

1) Honister Rambler bus from Keswick (you can stay on the bus to 'Cattle Grid' if heading for Cat Bells or Newlands Horseshoe)
2) Limited parking in Portinscale, or car park further on at Lingholm [Grid Ref: NY 25165 22357] [GPS 54.590838, -3.159623] View on map

Route

Portinscale, Lingholm, Cat Bells
Distance 10.85 km, Time 3.48 h, Total Ascent 548 m
Wainwright Pictorial Guide: The North Western Fells

Fells

Cat Bells 451 m

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Please do your own research to verify current routes and information on car parking, bus services and so on

Route maps from Ordnance Survey are scaled 1:25000 unless otherwise indicated.
Distance, Hike Time and Total Ascent as supplied by OS. Image shows planned route.
Distance 10.85 km, Time 3.48 h, Total Ascent 548 m

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