Cat Bells

A visit to the Lake District would not be complete without at least one walk to the top of a big hill. What with spouse and I not being regular users of shanks pony least of all up mountains I asked around for recommendations for a novices hill climb. Cat Bells was suggested and did not disappoint. This mini mountain sits near Derwent Water, close to Keswick. Described by Alfred Wainright as a, “…family fell where grandmothers and infants can climb the heights together”. Sounded doable. The 16 mile drive to Keswick Launches was pleasant enough across the top of fells with a collection of peaks for the backdrop. We got a ferry across to Hawse End which is pretty much where the climb starts. A well trodden path led the way up. We got about a third of the way before the first rock scramble. Spouse chose to have a sit down here, sending me on my way to “get some photos”. It was a bit further than I expected. Not sure I’d agree with Wainrights description, however it was exactly that for…