A 4 Day Lake District Itinerary for Hikers (Based in Keswick)

Many of the Lake District itineraries I’ve seen online try to squeeze the entire national park into just a few days, dragging you from Windermere to Wastwater in a car-bound blur. Maybe that kind of fast-paced trip appeals to you, but personally, I prefer to base myself in one place and explore the surrounding area.

For that reason, this Lake District itinerary is based in the town of Keswick and spends four days exploring the northern Lakes, with hikes around Catbells, Borrowdale, and Buttermere. In my opinion, the north is where the Lake District is at its most beautiful, with dramatic fells, gorgeous valleys, and some of the best hiking in the national park.

Not only this, but Keswick has great amenities, with a large supermarket (Booths), a Co-op for essentials, loads of pubs, cafes, restaurants, and shops, as well as a well-connected bus station. This makes it a super convenient and easy place to stay. It’s also got a lively, outdoorsy atmosphere that I really enjoy.

This itinerary is best suited to reasonably active people who want to spend most of their trip walking.

Here’s a quick overview before we dive in:

Day	Area	Main walk	Difficulty
1	Derwentwater	Catbells	Moderate
2	Buttermere	Haystacks	Moderate to challenging
3	Borrowdale	Scafell Pike	Challenging
4	Borrowdale	Castle Crag	Easy to moderate

Day 1: Catbells & Derwentwater

Catbells walk details
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time: 2 – 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Download GPX file
Open AllTrails Map
Read my Catbells guide

Catbells is one of the most popular walks in the Lake District, and it makes the perfect introduction to the fells. It’s a relatively short hike, but the views from the summit are excellent, looking out across Derwentwater, Keswick, and the surrounding mountains.

I recommend starting the walk from Hawse End, on the western side of Derwentwater. From here, the path climbs steadily up the ridge before reaching the summit at 451 metres. It’s not a technical hike, but there is a small scramble near the top where you may need to use your hands briefly. Most people complete the walk in around two to three hours, depending on how long you spend enjoying the views.

One of the best things about Catbells is how accessible it is from Keswick. I recommend taking the Derwentwater Ferry across the lake to Hawse End, as this is a lovely way to start the day. You can also catch the 77A bus to the Catbells stop. Driving to Hawse End from Keswick only takes 10 minutes, but parking is a nightmare, so I suggest leaving the car behind.

After your hike, it’s worth spending a bit of time exploring Derwentwater. Head back into Keswick, and from the town centre, it’s just a short walk to Friar’s Crag. This is one of the most famous viewpoints in the Lake District, with beautiful views across Derwentwater towards the surrounding fells. It’s also a personal spot for me, because my grandparents on my father’s side have their ashes scattered at Friar’s Crag.

If you still have some energy left, you could also walk some or all of the Derwentwater lakeshore path, which loops around the entire lake. Another nice option is renting a kayak or a small motorboat to explore Derwentwater.

To finish the day, head back into Keswick for dinner. My favourite restaurant is Fellpack (book ahead), which serves excellent seasonal dishes and great cocktails. If that’s not quite your vibe, The Dog & Gun does classic pub meals, or Little Saigon does fantastic Vietnamese food.

Day 2: Haystacks & Buttermere

Haystacks walk details
Distance: 8.5 miles
Time: 4.5 – 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
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Open AllTrails Map
Read my Haystacks guide

For your second day, head into Buttermere, which is my favourite valley in the Lake District. It’s absolutely stunning, with a small village, a beautiful lake, and dramatic fells rising around it.

I recommend walking Haystacks during your time in Buttermere. It’s one of the most loved fells in the Lake District, and certainly one of my favourites. While it’s not particularly high at 597 metres, the route is packed with scenery, from rocky paths and little tarns to wide views across the surrounding mountains.

The route I recommend combines Haystacks with a circuit of Buttermere Lake, creating a really satisfying day out. Starting in Buttermere Village, the walk follows the western shoreline of the lake before climbing up to the summit of Haystacks. From there, the path passes Innominate Tarn before descending and looping back along the eastern shore of the lake to where you began. The full walk is about 8.5 miles and usually takes around 4.5 – 5 hours.

After the hike, it’s worth spending a little time around Buttermere Village. A stop at Syke Farm Tea Room for their homemade ice cream is always a good idea, or you could simply relax by the lake before heading back to Keswick.

Buttermere is about 25 minutes by car from Keswick, making it an easy day trip. If you’re travelling by public transport, you can take the 77 or 77A bus, which runs a scenic route over Honister Pass. Note that this bus only operates seasonally, usually from April to October. You can check the timetable here.

Day 3: Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike walk details
Distance: 9.5 miles
Time: 6 – 7 hours
Difficulty: Challenging
Download GPX file
Open AllTrails Map
Read my Scafell Pike guide

For your third day, it’s time for the walk: Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England at 978 metres. Reaching the summit is an incredibly rewarding experience and a real highlight of any visit to the Lake District.

The route I recommend starts from Seathwaite in Borrowdale, which is about a 25 – 30 minute drive from Keswick. Borrowdale itself is one of the Lakes’ most spectacular valleys. From Seathwaite, you’ll follow the Corridor Route, one of the most scenic ways to reach the summit. Instead of taking a direct path straight up the mountain (such as the uphill slog from Wasdale), this route traverses beneath the dramatic cliffs of Great Gable, passing small tarns, rocky paths, and wide mountain views along the way.

The full walk is around 9.5 miles and usually takes 6 – 7 hours, depending on pace and conditions. It’s a demanding hike with plenty of rocky terrain, steep climbs, and some hands-on scrambling, but the scenery throughout the route makes the effort worthwhile.

Once you reach the summit, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across the Lake District. On a clear day, you can see many of the surrounding fells, including Great Gable, Helvellyn, and the rest of the Scafell range.

Unfortunately, getting to Seathwaite without a car is a bit of a faff, though it can be done by taking the 78 bus from Keswick to Seatoller, and then walking 25 minutes along the road to Seathwaite. If you’d prefer a walk that’s easier to reach by public transport, I would recommend switching Scafell Pike out with Helvellyn from Thirlmere or Blencathra from Threlkeld. Helvellyn is one of my favourite walks, so I vote for that one!

Once you’re back in Keswick, you’ll have earned every calorie. Head straight to The Dog & Gun. Their famous Hungarian Goulash is practically a rite of passage for walkers.

Day 4: Castle Crag & the Borrowdale Valley

Castle Crag walk details
Distance: 2.6 miles
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Download GPX file
Open AllTrails Map

For your final day, head back into the Borrowdale Valley. After the big hike up Scafell Pike the day before, today’s walk is deliberately short and more relaxed.

The main walk today is Castle Crag, a small fell that rises above the village of Rosthwaite. Despite its modest height, the summit offers excellent views across Borrowdale, with Derwentwater stretching out in the distance and the surrounding hills rising steeply on all sides.

The walk is only around 2.5 miles and usually takes about 1.5 – 2 hours, making it a great choice for a more relaxed final morning. The path climbs steadily through woodland before reaching the open fellside and the summit of Castle Crag.

After the hike, head into the tiny village of Rosthwaite for some lunch. The Royal Oak Hotel is a frequent stop of mine; it has a relaxed atmosphere and really good food. Alternatively, the Flock Inn Tearoom is great for coffee and cake.

After lunch, spend some time exploring the Borrowdale Valley itself. As I mentioned, this is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Lake District, with steep-sided fells, ancient woodland, rivers, and tiny villages tucked between the hills. You could take a gentle walk along the River Derwent or around Rosthwaite, or, if you’re up for a longer walk, head towards the beautiful hamlet of Watendlath.

Borrowdale is very easy to reach from Keswick. If you’re driving, the journey takes about 15 minutes. Alternatively, the 78 bus runs regularly between Keswick and Borrowdale, stopping at Rosthwaite.

Alternative walk ideas

If any of the walk ideas above aren’t right for you, here are some more to choose from:

Alternative	Best for	Difficulty
Rannerdale Knotts	Shorter and easier Buttermere walk than Haystacks	Moderate
Blencathra	Big summit	Challenging
Skiddaw	Can walk up it from Keswick – no driving or buses needed	Challenging
Helvellyn	Big summit	Challenging
Aira Force	Rainy/easier day and includes a waterfall	Easy
Latrigg	Short walk from Keswick	Easy

Blencathra is one of the most distinctive mountains in the northern Lake District and makes for a fantastic hike. The classic route is via Sharp Edge, a narrow ridge that adds a bit of excitement to the climb. If you’d prefer something less exposed, the route from Threlkeld is a better choice. You can reach Threlkeld easily by bus or car from Keswick.

Helvellyn is another iconic Lake District hike and one of my personal favourites. The most famous route is via Striding Edge from Glenridding, but that involves an exposed ridge and is not for everyone. I’m personally too afraid of Striding Edge, so if you’re like me, I’d recommend walking Helvellyn from Thirlmere instead. It avoids the knife-edge ridge but still gives you a big, satisfying day.

Skiddaw is a great option if you want a big mountain without any technical sections. The path to the summit is straightforward, and the views from the top stretch far across the northern Lake District and beyond. You can walk directly from Keswick’s town centre up to Skiddaw’s summit.

Or for something a bit gentler, I recommend:

Aira Force Waterfall is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Lake District, with a short woodland walk that leads to a series of beautiful viewpoints along the river.

Rannerdale Knotts is a smaller fell near Buttermere with surprisingly big views for such a short climb. If you’re keen to walk in Buttermere, but would prefer something gentler than Haystacks, Rannerdale Knotts is a good substitute.

Latrigg is an excellent short walk just outside Keswick. The summit offers lovely views over the town and Derwentwater, and the climb is relatively gentle.

Where to stay in Keswick

For this itinerary, I’d recommend staying as centrally as possible in Keswick. You’ll want easy access to the town centre for food, the lake for the ferry, and the bus station if you’re planning to do any of the walks without a car.

Chaucer’s Nook is a good option if you prefer having your own space. It’s a cosy self-catering apartment right in the centre of Keswick, so it works especially well for a longer stay or if, like me, you quite enjoy being able to make breakfast in your pyjamas before a long walk.

Cragside B&B is a quieter adults-only option within easy walking distance of both Keswick town centre and Derwentwater. I think this would suit couples who want somewhere comfortable and convenient without being right in the middle of the busiest streets.

Fellpack House is another lovely choice, set between the town centre and Derwentwater. The location is excellent for this itinerary, the rooms are beautifully done, and the breakfast is fantastic.

Castlerigg Hall is a great option if you’re camping or travelling by campervan. It sits on the hillside above Keswick, with incredible views across the surrounding fells. It’s not right in the town centre, so it’s slightly less convenient if you’re relying entirely on buses, but the setting is gorgeous, and it works well for exploring Derwentwater, Catbells, Skiddaw, and the walks around Keswick.

Where to eat in Keswick

For breakfast or lunch, Merienda is one of my favourite cafes in the centre of Keswick, serving excellent coffee and brunch dishes. They’re also open for the evening, although I’ve never tried their dinner options personally.

Another place I love is Fabrica. Their Persian Eggs dish is absolutely top tier, with feta, pomegranate seeds, and ciabatta.

Other good cafes include Jasper’s Coffee House, Chinty’s and Yonder.

The Dog & Gun is one of the most famous pubs in Keswick. It’s a cosy traditional pub that’s particularly well known for its Hungarian goulash, which has become something of a local legend among walkers.

If you’re looking for something a bit different from classic pub food, Fellpack is a small restaurant that focuses on seasonal, locally sourced dishes. The menu changes regularly, and the food is excellent. They also do a good variety of delicious cocktails. I recommend booking ahead as it’s quite popular.

As Vietnamese is one of my favourite cuisines, I also love Little Saigon. Absolutely delicious.

Do I need a car for this itinerary?

To be completely transparent, the Lake District is quite a car-oriented place, and having one generally makes life easier. That being said, Keswick is well connected via public transport, so you can get around relatively simply by bus and ferry.

In terms of this itinerary:

• Catbells can be reached by taking either the Derwentwater Ferry or the 77A bus from Keswick to the trailhead at Hawse End.
• Buttermere and Haystacks can be reached via the 77/77A bus (April to October only).
• Scafell Pike is a bit of a challenge to reach by public transport. I’d recommend switching it out by either hiking Helvellyn from Thirlmere, or Blencathra from Threlkeld. Both Thirlmere and Threlkeld are easily reached by bus from Keswick.
• Borrowdale and Castle Crag can be reached via the 78 bus from Keswick.

I have an entire post on getting around the Lake District without a car, including walk ideas that are accessible by public transport or on foot from Keswick, which might be useful for you to check out.

More Lake District inspiration

• Check out my roundup of the very best walks in the Lake District.
• Can’t decide when to visit? Here’s my guide to the best time to visit the Lakes.
• My guide for hiking Catbells.
• My Derwentwater lakeshore walk guide.
• My Haystacks circular walk guide.

⛰️ Want even more? Visit my Lake District Hub to browse all my walking guides and planning tips.

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