We were determined to revisit and conquer the fell Catbells, having not made it to the top on our last visit in 2021.
What we didn’t know then, but we know now, is that Kathryn had some health issues that would require medication, which meant the second attempt would be significantly more achievable.
About Cat Bells
Cat Bells is a fell in the English Lake District in the county of Cumbria. It has a height of 451 metres (1,480 ft) and is one of the most popular fells in the area
It is situated on the western shore of Derwentwater within three miles (five kilometres) of the busy tourist town of Keswick.
Its distinctive shape catches the attention of many visitors to the Lakes who feel compelled to climb to the summit after seeing it from the viewpoint of Friars’ Crag on the opposite side of Derwentwater.
The Lake District writer and walker Alfred Wainwright acknowledges the popularity of Cat Bells among fellwalkers of all abilities by saying:
It is one of the great favourites, a family fell where grandmothers and infants can climb the heights together, a place beloved. Its popularity is well deserved: its shapely topknott attracts the eye offering a steep but obviously simple scramble.
It was Wainwright’s description of Cat Bells, especially the ‘grandmothers and infants’ comment which was particularly galling last time, and was perfect added motivation for getting it done this time round.
The Climb
We tried to park in the small row of spaces at the bottom of the fell, but unsurprisingly it was full.
Luckily, just further up the road and round the corner there was a lay-by style space which was perfect, and not far from what looked like it could be where we descend later on.
We made our way to the signposted start, and began to walk and climb up the path.
There was a pleasant grassy area at the first natural viewpoint where we stopped for our sandwich and a cuppa, and just admired the view, including a hovering red kite.
We continued onwards and after navigating some zigzag style rocky parts, got to the middle flat path.
This is the easiest part with a long but easy stretch of straight paths ahead.
Onwards we went and the we realised we were now at the location we finished at in 2021, and did not go further. But that was then, and this was now…!
Unlike our last visit, there were now two wooden bridge like structures we think to visibly state and recommend where walkers should make their way to the top.
We could see on the left and edge of the fell the grassy path we started to attempt last time, which Kathryn did not like.
We made our way up and for those who don’t like heights (Kathryn), it was a little tricky to clamber up the final part of the rock.
Our learning for these parts of the fell was to stick to the main paths, the ones that clearly most walkers have used – there’s a reason they are so well defined, in that most walkers have successfully used them.
We could not believe that only a few paces more and we had reached the top with the Trig Point in sight.
It was quite a thrill getting to the top and putting that 2021 disappointment to bed.
Plenty of ‘whoops’ and selfies / pictures were taken.
I took a phone shot of the Trig Point:
The views from Cat Bells are awesome with Derwent Water and Keswick the main feature but it’s spectacular all round. There is also Skiddaw in view to the left of Derwent.
I also took a panoramic shot from my phone:
I have multiple camera shots from the top which are intended to be reviewed and made into a pano, but unsure if these will ever see the light of day.
After our celebrations at the top, we were ready to descend.
This was the view going down, and we knew that descending would be easier than going up.
The paths down were very easy and straightforward, and on return to the car, I checked my watch as I had recorded this trek as a ‘Hike’.
We were buzzing from this trip and made our way back to our cottage, where we could look forward to a nice supper, and a rest and relax in piece and quiet.
Onwards and upwards…