Cat Bells is one of Lake District's most popular fells meaning it does get busy and parking is extremely 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 It will start again on 23rd March 2024. Operated by Stagecoach, it offers a great way to see the Lake District.
| 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 daily throughout the year, for timetables see Stagecoach and Traveline websites or download the Stagecoach app for live times.
