The usual walk up Catbells starts from Hawes end but after climbing from both directions we have found the route from Little town is the easiest especially for a first hill walk or small legs.

It is also a much quieter walk with no edges and only one short scramble near the summit.

From the bridge you walk away from it towards Catbells up the lane and come to a gate on your left, you go through the gate and follow the path round and you will see the old quarry ruins at the base of the ascent to Catbells, you follow this path all the way to the hause, passing a small waterfall and quarry ruins, the path is rocky here but you can walk a small path at the side.

Once in the middle of the hause take the grass path to the left, this rises quite steeply but once your up you walk the final level grass/stone path to the final rocky short climb to the summit.

The views of Derwentwater are amazing, it is usually busy at the summit, with the majority coming from the opposite side.

Catbells from Hawes end is steeper, with rockier sections, quite dangerous in winds or rain, its also a lot busier so we prefer the little town side.

Return the same way.

MORE DETAILS

Wainwrights route from Hawes end

http://www.wainwrightroutes.co.uk/catbells_r1.htm

But see map above for the walk from Little town