Derwent Water Circular

From the lakeside you pass the jetties and swing out to Friar's Crag for the classic view down the lake toward the Jaws of Borrowdale, then work anticlockwise around the shore:

Along the way you look across to Derwent Island, Lord's Island and Rampsholme Island, with Catbells rising on one side and Skiddaw and the Borrowdale fells framing the other.

• Woodland and the Ings, Stable Hills, the Millennium Seat, then Calfclose Bay and the Hundred Year Stone
• Great Wood, Ashness Gate and the Kettlewell and Lodore area near the southern end
• The Chinese Bridge, then the boardwalks and wetland at the head of the lake
• Brandelhow Park with its Entrust hands sculpture, Low Brandelhow, Hawse End and Nichol End
• A short stretch through Portinscale, the suspension bridge over the River Derwent, and the walk back into Keswick

Rated 4 out of 10, moderate almost entirely because of distance rather than climbing. Expect mostly flat gravel paths, farm and woodland tracks, open shoreline, boardwalk, plus short rocky or stepped bits and some pavement. There is a little road walking, including through Portinscale, so keep children and dogs close and walk facing traffic where there is no pavement. Gates, stiles and a few junctions where the waymarking needs attention mean this is not a fully accessible route.

The Chinese Bridge and the raised boardwalk sit at the River Derwent delta and can flood after heavy rainfall. If the boardwalk is under water, the signed alternative is a road diversion of about 3 km by way of Grange, which adds time and puts you on tarmac for a stretch. Plan for that possibility after a wet spell and allow extra daylight.

Derwentwater is a glacial lake ringed by fells, and the walk threads Atlantic oakwood, mixed woodland and wetland at the southern end. Slow down in the quieter woods and watch or listen for red squirrels, which are known in this area though far from a certainty.

Start from the Keswick Lakeside Car Park near the Theatre by the Lake, close to the Keswick Launch and the lakeside information point. From there it is a short walk along Lake Road before you reach the shore. In these rural lanes and car parks, follow local signage rather than relying only on satnav. Dogs are welcome on the standard route and should be kept under control around roads, livestock, other walkers and wildlife.

Walla Crag is a separate and hillier walk that trades the long shoreline day for a steeper climb and a concentrated panorama over the lake. It is a different outing rather than part of this circuit.