Staying in Keswick with my family, I was torn between wanting to enjoy the Lakes outdoors and my family's ability and aspirations.
Catbells is just the half way house I was in need of. It offers first timers and tentative walkers a quick fix, of the Lakes experience.
Using the launch that circles Lake Derwent (our Base was Keswick) you are taxi'd to the foot of the climb with a perfect opportunity to experience a closer view of your assent, and a different perspective of the surrounding area from the water. You also have no worries about parking at the base, which is limited.
Yes it's a well worn path, yes on a nice day you will not be by yourself; but for the first timer, for the quick fix, for the 'not sure what my ability is', the hill offers you everything you want.
It has a steep climb, a ridge walk, a couple of easy scrambles/climbs, and choices to allow you to continue if your feeling good, or to get off if your not... Did I mention the breathtaking views your rewarded with?
With all ages climbing the hill when we went up, it took us an hour to reach the top and within three hours we were paddling, back at the waters edge waiting for the launch to come to the pier (1 of 6) to taxi us back over the lake back to Keswick.
With a feeling of achievement, some good trophy photographs, and the ease of getting in some of the beauty of the Lakes, this walk will either satisfy you, or it will inspire you to go in search of more hill!
