Walk Details
There are many super walks around the shores of Derwentwater, and the most scenic and relaxing way to and from your walk is undoubtedly the Keswick Launch. The boats leave frequently from the Keswick Landing Stage, just ten minutes walk from the town centre.
Get off the boat at Low Brandelhow and turn left following the path through the woods along the edge of the lake. From here as on most of this trip there are excellent views across Derwentwater.
The large island nearest to you is St Herbert’s Island. In the late 7th Century, St Herbert lived as a hermit, only occasionally leaving to walk to Carlisle to meet his good friend St Cuthbert of Lindesfarne when he preached there.
The story goes that St Herbert prayed that he and St Cuthbert would die at the same time and sure enough they both died in different places at exactly the same time.
Continue along the lake past the gravely area that was once Brandelhow mines and keep to the footpath, cutting off the peninsula with the house on it. Continue through the mixed woodland. If you are lucky enough you may see red squirrels here.
When you leave the thicker wood and reach the more open area of scattered trees, keep to the path using the boardwalks to cross the marshy areas. You will be walking round the head of the lake, through a very wet area, which was once part of the lake. The marshy area is gradually being filled in with sands and gravel brought down from the surrounding fells to form this delta. Before all these bridges and boardwalks were put in this path frequently flooded, but you should keep your feet dry unless it has just rained heavily.
The path joins the road near the Lodore Hotel, with the famous Lodore Falls behind. Turn left and follow the road past the hotel, over a small bridge, then take the footpath on your right that runs parallel to the road through some more beautiful woods. When you reach the car park on your left, cross the road and follow the lake shore closely, taking the path around a promontory then parallel to the road to the landing stage at Ashness Gate where you can catch a boat back to Keswick.
On your journey sit back and enjoy the lake as described by the poet William Wordsworth in this “Guide to the Lakes” “Derwent is distinguished from all the lakes by surrounded with sublimity, the fantastic mounts of Borrowdale to the South, the solitary majesty of Skiddaw to the North, the bold steps of Walla Crag and Lodore to the East and to the West the clustering mounts of Newlands”.
From Keswick Landing Stage it’s just a short walk back to the town passing along the way George Fisher’s. You might want to call in and enjoy tea and cakes in the Abraham’s Tea room after a superb day out.
