Keswick & Lake District Walks

Swinside Lodge is the ideal base for a walking holiday in the Lake District! We offer hearty home-made packed lunches (including choice of sandwiches, juice, fruit, chef's homemade energy chocolate bar all for £9.00) drying facilities and boot storage, as well as personal advice on where to walk if required. 

Walking is one of the main reasons why people visit the Lake District – many foot paths can be explored within the fells and forests surrounding the Lakes, and indeed the Allerdale Ramble on the lower section of Cat Bells is a mere 5 minute stroll from Swinside Lodge. There is a regular bus service along the Keswick to Buttermere road which runs along the eastern shore of the Lake and an un-classified road passing by the Swinside Lodge Hotel on the western shore connecting the village of Portinscale and Grange in Borrowdale. Nature is abound within and around the lake and it is believed to be the last remaining habitat of the Vendace (Coregonus Vandesius) fish from the four originally known.

The smartest, safest and most pleasurable way to tackle the fells is by joining a guide. Reach the highest summits or explore hidden valleys, waterfalls and woodlands on low level walks - there's something for all ages and abilities. If you are considering walking please check out the latest 5 day weather forecast for the Lake District. Swinside Lodge doesn't offer guided walks though there are plenty of local organised guides that do provide safe Lake District walks - for further information visit Keswick Rambles, Lake District Guided Walks or otherwise here are some suggestions to whet your appetite:  

Please note that maps for these suggested walks are available from reception and may all be completed without the need of taking the car!!!

Cat Bells - 3.5 miles, 1481 ft and one of the Lakeland's smaller peaks but still one of the all time favourites. The walk starts literally from our door with views of it's distinctive peak being viewed from the near of Swinside Lodge.

Take in Maiden Moor and High Spy to make the ascent of Cat Bells a more interesting ridge walk.

For the more adventurous try the Newlands horseshoe 12 miles strenuous hike linking up Cat Bells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head and Hindscarth.

Derwentwater Lakeshore - 9 miles circular route or less when taking a five minute stroll down to the lake from Swinside Lodge and catching the Keswick Launch. There are various stop off points around the lake before before taking an afternoon visit into Keswick.

There are many outdoor clothing shops as well as places for a drink or a bite to eat.

Newlands Valley - a low level circular walk starting from Swinside Lodge and taking in Newlands church with the back drop of Cat Bells, Hindscarth and Causey Pike.

Barrow Fell - 3 miles 1494 ft, an easy climb and although not a high summit it affords panoramic 360 degree views over Lakes Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite with keswick or Braithwaite forming a backdrop.

Again for a more strenuous 10 mile circuit Barrow Fell may be linked in with Sail, Eel Crag, Hopegill Head, Grisedale Pike and through to Braithwaite before returning back to Swinside Lodge.

Causey Pike at 2090 ft is a major landmark fell, link this in wth the grassy ridge of Outerside before soaking up the fabulous views along Barrow, dropping down naturally with the ridge to Braithwaite, and back to Swinside Lodge.

Ashness Bridge, High Seat and Keswick - 9 miles Pick up the launch within 5 minutes of the Swinside Lodge over Keswick for a more challenging walk. Ashness Bridge is one of the most photographed placed in the Lake District and definitely worth a visit, before taking in the magnificent views over the tops.

Click here to view Swinside Lodge on the Ordnance Survey map »