NY2419 : View from the summit of Cat Bells
Moderate; northern ridge includes scrambling

Cat Bells [Catbells]

451m Elevation
87m Prominence
England Country
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NY2419 : View from the summit of Cat Bells

Marathon Photo source

Overview

Cat Bells (451 m) is a rocky Lake District fell above Derwentwater near Keswick. Explore the north-ridge scrambles, the Hause Gate approach and a lakeshore circuit, with access and safety notes.

Cat Bells (Catbells)

Cat Bells rises to 451 m above the western shore of Derwentwater, with Newlands Valley on the other side of its ridge. Its rocky summit gives wide views over the lake, Keswick, Skiddaw and Borrowdale. It is a Wainwright with 87 m of prominence in the Database of British and Irish Hills. DoBIH

Choosing a route

The northern approach from Hawes End or Gutherscale climbs over Skelgill Bank. It includes short hands-on scrambles and steps that some walkers find exposed. Keswick Mountain Rescue has assisted a walker unable to continue at the final scramble. Choose a route suited to everyone in the group, especially anyone uncomfortable on steep rock. Keswick MRT

For a defined circular walk, start at Hawes End Landing Stage, climb the north ridge, descend south to Hause Gate and then east to Brandlehow Bay. Follow the wooded lakeshore north back to Hawes End. Keswick Tourism Association describes this circuit as approximately 5.7 km and 3 hours plus stops. Route and map

Little Town is in Newlands, west of the ridge. A return walk via Hause Gate approaches the summit from the south. Maiden Moor lies beyond Hause Gate to the south and can be added to a longer ridge outing. Choose the return leg as carefully as the ascent, especially if it involves descending the northern scrambles.

Ground and conditions

Expect worn fell paths, grassy slopes, bare rock and steep descents. Wet or icy rock increases the difficulty of the scrambling sections. Check the mountain forecast, carry suitable clothing and allow enough daylight for the return. Keep away from abandoned mine entrances, shafts and unstable spoil heaps. Winter conditions · Yewthwaite mine record

Geology and history

The ridge is mapped in the Buttermere Formation of the Skiddaw Group. Its Ordovician sedimentary rocks include mudstone, siltstone and sandstone, disrupted by submarine mass movement and later deformation. British Geological Survey, Chapter 2 and Figure 1

The National Trust links the name with a wildcat's lair and describes the fell's connection with Beatrix Potter's Mrs Tiggy-Winkle. Old lead workings at Yewthwaite and Brandlehow are another part of the local story. National Trust

Getting there

Gutherscale has only limited layby parking, and occasional field parking should not be relied on. Consider travelling from Keswick by launch to Hawes End or on the seasonal Honister Rambler bus. Check the operators' current services and last return before setting out; boat sailings can be disrupted by weather. Keswick has shops, cafes and public toilets. National Park travel advice · Parking · Launch timetable

Reviewed 15 October 2026 (UTC). Route notes are planning summaries; use a current map for navigation.

Explore routes near Cat Bells [Catbells]

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Derwentwater Walk: full lakeside circuit from Keswick

15.9 km ~5h Moderate

View route

Whinlatter dark skies walk

View route

Whinlatter dark skies walk

View route

Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route

14.1 km ~7h Hard

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Cat Bells from Hawes End: north-ridge out-and-back

Start at Hawes End Landing Stage, walk up to the road and join the northern ridge over Skelgill Bank to Cat Bells. Return by the same route to Hawes End. Short, steep rocky steps require hands and can feel exposed; the return includes down-scrambling.

Moderate; short scrambles

Cat Bells and Derwentwater lakeshore circuit

Start and finish at Hawes End Landing Stage. Ascend over Skelgill Bank to Cat Bells, descend south to Hause Gate, then east to the road and Brandlehow Bay. Return north beside Derwentwater through High and Low Brandlehow to Hawes End. Keswick Tourism Association gives approximately 5.7 km and 3 hours plus stops. The ascent includes scrambling and the eastern descent is steep.

5.7 km ~3 hours Moderate; short scrambles

Cat Bells from Little Town via Hause Gate

From Little Town in the Newlands Valley, use the established path up the western side to Hause Gate, then turn north along Cat Bells southern ridge to the summit. Return to Little Town by the same route. This avoids the northern-ridge scrambles but still involves steep fell paths and rocky summit ground. Keep away from old Yewthwaite mine workings.

Moderate

Cat Bells and Maiden Moor from Hawes End

Start at Hawes End Landing Stage, ascend Cat Bells over Skelgill Bank, then continue south through Hause Gate to Maiden Moor. Return along the same ridge over Cat Bells and Skelgill Bank to Hawes End. This is an extended out-and-back with repeated ascent and northern-ridge scrambling on both outward and return legs; plan for exposed fell weather.

Challenging

Cat Bells from Gutherscale: northern-ridge return

From the Gutherscale trailhead, follow the northern ridge over Skelgill Bank to Cat Bells and return the same way. This is the same rocky northern approach used from Hawes End, with short hands-on scrambles and exposed-feeling steps. It is not a scramble-free family shortcut. Parking at Gutherscale is very limited.

Moderate; short scrambles
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Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

400-499m hill Wainwright Birkett Synge Fellranger

Elevation

451m

1,480 ft

Prominence

87m

Coordinates

54.5683, -3.1707

NY244198

OS Map

89 90

Explorer: OL4S

At the Summit

Bare rocky summit. DoBIH records the highest point as rock and notes that the former tiny flat cairn no longer exists.

Terrain & Geology

Worn fell paths grassy slopes bare rock short scrambles on the northern ridge steep paths around Hause Gate.

Ordovician sedimentary rocks of the Skiddaw Group. The ridge is mapped in the Buttermere Formation, containing mudstone, siltstone and sandstone disrupted by submarine mass movement and later deformation.

Views & Scenery

Derwentwater and Keswick, Skiddaw to the north, Borrowdale to the south, and Newlands Valley and its surrounding fells to the west.

History & Heritage

Name Origin

The National Trust links the name Cat Bells with a wildcat's lair. This is a traditional interpretation rather than a securely established derivation.

Historical Significance

Beatrix Potter placed Mrs Tiggy-Winkle's home on Cat Bells. The fell also has a lead-mining history: Yewthwaite on its western flank and Brandlehow on the Derwentwater side preserve workings and spoil heaps.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Very limited layby parking at Gutherscale, near the northern trailhead, and at Little Town on the Newlands side. The National Trust describes no permanent Cat Bells car park; occasional field parking is not guaranteed. Consider parking in Keswick and travelling by launch or seasonal bus. Keep narrow roads, gates and emergency access clear.

Public Transport

Keswick Launch serves Hawes End for the northern approach when sailings operate. The seasonal Honister Rambler 77/77A links Keswick, Portinscale and Catbells. Check current timetables, service notices and the last return; boat services depend on weather. Walking from Keswick to the northern trailhead adds about 4 km each way.

Nearby Facilities

Keswick has shops, cafes and public toilets. Carry food, water and suitable clothing for the fell; do not rely on refreshments or toilets at the trailhead.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Short hands-on scrambles and exposed-feeling rocky steps on the northern ridge; descending them also requires care.
  • Steep paths, worn rock and loose stones can cause slips, especially when wet.
  • Keep away from disused mine entrances, shafts and spoil heaps.
  • Open fell terrain is exposed to changing weather; carry navigation and suitable clothing.

Seasonal Hazards

Snow and ice can make the summit scrambles slippery and substantially harder. Wet weather also affects steep rock and paths. Check the mountain forecast and allow enough daylight for the return.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Cat Bells [Catbells]?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Cat Bells [Catbells] through the maps

Are there other walkers around Cat Bells [Catbells]?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Cat Bells [Catbells] search or of course create your own walk for Cat Bells [Catbells]

Can I organise a walk to Cat Bells [Catbells]?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Cat Bells [Catbells].

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Cat Bells [Catbells]?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

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Location

Cat Bells [Catbells] location map

Grid reference: NY244198

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Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

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