Route: Circuit of Derwent Water
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 17th December 2014
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 10.9 miles
Ascent: 700 feet
Weather: Mostly overcast with light rain/drizzle
I parked at Portinscale and walked along the road to Nichol End Marine, where I joined the Cumbria Way and followed the easy path along the western shore of Derwent Water. The path passes through woodland and parkland and weaves around various bays, with wonderful views across Derwent Water
After walking round the head of the lake, I made a short detour to see the Lodore Falls, then made my way along the eastern shore back into Keswick. This involves a couple of short sections beside the road
After walking through the town I rejoined the Cumbria Way, crossed the little suspension bridge and arrived back in Portinscale
The weather was miserable, but the great thing about walking in the Lake District is that the landscape always outshines the weather, however gloomy it may be, and this was shown again today
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
A red squirrel in the garden before I set off this morning
Nichol End, shortly after the start of the walk
Fawe Park
Catbells
Walking past Derwent Bay
St Herbert’s Island
Catbells again as I walk through Brandelhow Park
Victoria Bay
The wooden hands sculpture, carved from a single oak tree to celebrate the centenary of the National Trust in the Lake District
Another shower heading this way
Landing stage near Brandelhow Bay
Otter Island (otters can be seen in Derwent Water and though I kept a sharp lookout I didn’t see any today)
Heron
In Manesty Park, looking towards Castle Crag
The Lodore Falls Hotel from the boardwalk across the head of Derwent Water
Looking north along the lake - Skiddaw is hidden under low cloud
The Chinese Bridge over Derwent Water
Looking towards Borrowdale
Watendlath Beck
Lodore Falls
The path along the eastern shore is close to the road on occasions, but it’s not an issue
The mallards have made themselves at home on the landing stage at Barrow Bay
Castle Crag from Calfclose Bay
Looking back to Borrowdale through a fisheye lens
And through a standard lens
Looking back along the eastern shore
The Millennium Stone, a large split boulder of Borrowdale rock to mark the centenary of the National Trust in the Lake District
A welcome patch of blue sky as I walk towards Lord’s Island
Derwent Island and house
Lady Derwentwater, one of the Keswick launches
Crow Park Keswick, as the weather deteriorates further
Derwent Island again, with Catbells beyond
After walking through Keswick, I’m back on the Cumbria Way heading towards Portinscale
Almost back to the start - the suspension bridge over the River Derwent (click here to see its big brother)
