Cat Bells is one of Lake District's most popular fells meaning it does get busy and parking is limited at the start of the walk. Please don't be tempted to park on double yellow lines, you may stop emergency services getting through and you will be fined. Why not help care for our beautiful environment and communities by considering these other great ways to reach your hike.
Keswick Launch offers a great way to reach the start of the walk, with a scenic boat ride across Derwentwater. Running throughout the spring, summer and autumn and some days in winter, it is an experience not to be missed.
Details and timetables can be found at https://keswick-launch.co.uk/.
Visitors can Park and Sail, parking at Keswick Rugby Club and getting 15% off tickets on the Keswick Launch boats from May 2023.
Our guide to Derwentwater lake, (web pages), contains the popular fairly easy walk up Cat Bells, info on the bustling market town of Keswick, walk routes, bike hire, things to do and places to stay.
The Honister Rambler Route bus 77/77A, runs from Keswick to Cat Bells and then on to Honister, Buttermere and Whinlatter daily until 5 November 2023. Operated by Stagecoach, it offers a great way to see the Lake District.
The additional Cat Bells Shuttle Services will not be running this year.
| Keswick bus station | Portinscale | Cat Bells |
|---|---|---|
| 08:30 | 08:36 | 08:43 |
| 09:30 | 09:36 | 09:43 |
| 10:30 | 10:36 | 10:43 |
| 11:30 | 11:36 | 11:43 |
| 13:30 | 13:36 | 13:43 |
| 15:30 | 15:36 | 15:43 |
| 17:30 | 17:36 | 17:43 |
Cat Bells | Portinscale | Keswick bus station |
|---|---|---|
| 11:56 | 12:01 | 12:16 |
| 13:56 | 14:01 | 14:16 |
| 15:56 | 16:01 | 16:16 |
| 17:56 | 18:01 | 18:16 |
The map below shows the shortest walking route from Keswick to the start of Cat Bells. It is a pleasant walk mainly on public footpaths, through fields and woodland with plenty of options for tea stops on the way back at Lingholm, Nichol End and Portinscale. The walk is 4km/2.5miles each way.
You can also enjoy many other walks linking to Cat Bells, get a map out and start planning!
Larger Version Map showing route of Cat Bells Shuttlebus.
Take an open top bus from Keswick up Borrowdale, for amazing views and plenty of fresh air!
Buses run every half hour until 5 November 2023.
Depart from Keswick at 20 mins and 50 mins past the hour between 08:50 and 18:20.
Return from Seatoller at 20 and 50 mins past the hour between 09:20 and 18:50 or from the Borrowdale Hotel at 03 and 33 mins past the hour between 0933 and 1903.
