Saturday 4th April — Keswick to Latrigg walk

View from Latrigg over Keswick at sunrise

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Start/finish point: Moot Hall, Keswick Town Centre (the building that until recently housed the Tourist Information Centre)

Car Parking: plenty of pay and display car parks around Keswick, or some of the side avenues have on-street parking without restrictions (Greta St, Blencathra St)

Meet time: from 10.30 am

Description: This is a well-known circular walk from Keswick that takes in the first part of the Keswick-Threlkeld railway path and returns over Latrigg fell. The view from Latrigg over Keswick and Derwentwater is one of the most famous views in the Lake District and great for photos.

Route: We start walking from the town centre towards the old station building that is now a hotel. Round the back of this are the old platforms and the start of the railway path that runs along the trackbed all the way to Threlkeld. Soon after leaving Keswick we enjoy views of the River Greta as it threads through the gorges and the path crosses this several times on unique ‘upturned’ bridges. The path is also home to one of the nationwide Park Runs.

After a couple of miles or so at Brundholme we branch off the path and begin the walk up Latrigg – firstly up a country track then onto the slopes of the fell, and gradually climbing to the top. Views of Blencathra and Skiddaw rise up to the right, then once at the top there is a 360 panorama over Keswick, Derwentwater and towards the mountains, an ideal location to have lunch!

The return is down the other side of the fell on the footpath/bridleway with vista views towards Bassenthwaite and a gradual descent to the base of the fell. The last part of the walk takes us through the central Lower Fitz Park and more views of the River Greta before we’re back on Station Road and into the town centre where there are plenty of options for refreshments!

High Point: Latrigg (368 m)

Ascents: Railway path is flat. Then a gradual ascent up the grassy slopes of Latrigg (about 260 m total).

Distance: 6 miles

Time: approx 4 hours

Grade: Easy end of moderate. Terrain is paths or grassy slopes. Walk at a pace to suit everybody and take in the views.

Leader: Mark (07967 193749)

Please bring a packed lunch.