Derwent Water
One lake - many ways to explore
This adaptable lakeside walk lets you design your own walk, exploring Derwent Water at your own pace, by foot, boat or bus. Start in the bustling market town of Keswick, surely one of England’s most beautifully situated towns, surrounded by mountains and set beside the lake.
From here, choose your route. Walk the full circuit along shoreline paths and quiet lanes, hop on the bus to skip a section, or take the boat to glide across the water and rejoin the trail further round. Along the way, pause at peaceful bays, wooded shores and wide open viewpoints across the lake to the fells beyond. Keep an eye out for our Drawn to Water sculpture near Ashness Gate, inspired by river restoration work on Barrow Beck.
Walk details
Location: Derwent Water, Keswick
Length: 10 miles | 16km (full circuit)
Time: 4-5hr (walking all the way)
Difficulty: Easy
Accessibility: Flat and easy going with gates, steps and stiles, can be muddy
Transport: Keswick bus station / launch boat routes begin from Lakeside: W3W///odds.solar.drumbeat
Parking: Various pay & display car parks in Keswick town centre closest being: W3W///wiggles.prep.quoted
Refreshments: Plenty of options for chippies, cafés and pubs in Keswick and along the route, marked by the tea cup sign
Stay safe by the stream
Please read our safety guide and disclaimer by clicking on the links below:
Download high res map and walk instructions below
“I find Derwent Water a really magical lake to walk around. It's surrounded by dramatic fells that I've known since my childhood and is surrounded by so much woodland to get lost in. It’s a place where I find it easy to get lost in nature, escape from civilisation, and forget the worries of everyday life.”
Bradley Shackleton, Apprentice Coordinator
Walk gallery
Downloads
Map of the walk
Komoot route plan for this walk
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