Catbells, Maiden Moor and High Spy

A loop from the High Brandelhow landing stage with a short out-and-back spur to the summit of Cat Bells. We store the full mapped access loop as 10.4 miles (16.7 km) with roughly 800 m of ascent, and a typical time of about 5.5 hours. Some descriptions quote 9 miles, but the complete landing-stage start and finish measures 10.4 miles.

From High Brandelhow the route heads south through Manesty Park, joins a minor road to Grange, then follows the bridleway past Hollows Farm and through woodland to the col beside Castle Crag. It continues south on the bridleway before turning right into Tongue Gill for a steep pull to the ridge just south of High Spy. From there it runs north over High Spy (about 653 m), Maiden Moor (about 575 m) and Hause Gate, with an out and back to Cat Bells (about 451 m), then drops east and southeast by bridleway to Manesty and back north to the landing stage. The appeal is the change of character, from wooded lakeside and the Borrowdale valley floor to a long open ridge with views over Derwent Water, Keswick, Borrowdale, the Newlands Valley, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Skiddaw.

Rated hard, 7/10. There is no technical climbing, but Tongue Gill is steep, and the high ground is rough, loose and rocky with a few hands-on sections. Underfoot you get footpaths, tracks, bridleways and a short stretch of minor road at low level, then rough fell ground above, with wetter patches near the gill and on the open fell.

The ridge is long, open and exposed to wind, and weather can change quickly. Navigation matters in cloud or poor visibility, so carry map and compass skills rather than relying on the line of the path alone. In clear, settled conditions the ridge views are the main reward, and early or late light generally flatters the fells and the lake below.

There is little dependable water and almost no shelter along the ridge. Carry what you need for the whole traverse and plan food and layers around a sustained spell on open ground.

High Brandelhow is a ferry landing stage rather than a car park. Use designated parking in Keswick and take the Derwentwater launch to High Brandelhow. Laybys near Cat Bells are very limited and are the wrong starting point for this particular variant. No permit is needed for this ordinary public fell walk.

Livestock are present on the farmland and open fell. Dogs may use the public route but should be kept close and on lead around livestock.

For a much shorter and easier outing with the classic lake view, Cat Bells from Hawse End is the obvious choice. For a longer and harder day, the six-summit Newlands Horseshoe is the step up.