--- title: "Catbells fell guide | Visit Keswick, Lake District" url: https://visitkeswick.com/explore/fells/catbells description: "Catbells: how to get there by launch, bus or park-and-sail, what the walk asks, and the Beatrix Potter connection on the Newlands side." --- ## Views from the first step Standing above Derwentwater in the northern Lake District, Catbells is a favourite first fell for visitors staying in Keswick. From the moment you step on the fell you can enjoy sensational panoramic views over Keswick, [Derwentwater](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/lakes/derwentwater) and Borrowdale. Add to that the views west over the [Newlands valley](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/newlands) and the western fells, and the walk is unrivalled for scenery. Approximately 3.5 miles — 5.7km — and about three hours plus stops. Moderate: there is a short steep section on the ascent with some minor scrambling, but nothing too technical. Walkers strung out along the grassy ridge path over Catbells ## Up Skelgill Bank and round The clear path leaves the road at the first bend and zig-zags steeply up the main breast of Skelgill Bank, levelling briefly before climbing again to the summit. From the top it descends south to the saddle of Hawes Gate, where four paths meet, then down to Brandelhow Bay past the old mine workings and back along the wooded lakeshore. [The full route](https://visitkeswick.com/do/walking-routes/catbells) has the directions. Derwentwater and its wooded shore seen from the ridge with cloud shadow on the fells ## Mrs Tiggy-Winkle’s hillside Catbells, Skelgill and Littletown are all recognisable from the drawings in The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle — [Beatrix Potter](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/history-culture/a-literary-wonderland) knew this hillside from her family’s summers at Lingholm, on the shore directly below. ## Three ways there, none of which need a car park ### By launch The walk starts at Hawes End landing stage, best reached by taking the Keswick launch across the lake. It is the only fell in this set you can arrive at by boat. [Derwentwater launches](https://visitkeswick.com/do/derwentwater-lake-cruises) ### Park and sail Park at Keswick Rugby Club on Crow Park Road — 200 spaces — and you get a Keswick Launch discount voucher. Presented at the ticket office it gives 15% off the launch that day for the driver and up to four passengers. ### By bus From Easter to October the 77A Honister Rambler runs from Keswick and stops at Catbells before going on through Borrowdale, Honister, Buttermere and Whinlatter. The 77 does the same circuit in reverse. [Bus times and routes](https://visitkeswick.com/visitor-info/getting-to-keswick) Loading map… - Catbells - [Keswick](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/town) - [Derwentwater](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/lakes/derwentwater) - [Newlands](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/valleys/newlands) - [Maiden Moor](https://visitkeswick.com/do/walking-routes/high-spy-maiden-moor-and-catbells) - [Portinscale](https://visitkeswick.com/explore/neighbouring-villages/portinscale) ## For AI agents - API catalogue: https://visitkeswick.com/.well-known/api-catalog - Guide for AI agents: https://visitkeswick.com/llms.txt - A2A agent card: https://visitkeswick.com/.well-known/agent-card.json - MCP server card: https://visitkeswick.com/.well-known/mcp/server-card.json - Personal Agent Protocol: https://visitkeswick.com/.well-known/poppy.json - Live availability and booking: the site's tools above (MCP connector at https://visitkeswick.com/mcp).