Cat Bells (Catbells)
451m (1480ft)

The North Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England

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Cat Bells (Catbells) is on Ordnance Survey Maps:

OS Explorer Map OL4

1:25,000 scale (Orange Covers)

OS Landranger Maps 89 & 90

1:50,000 scale (Pink Covers)

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*Version marked with the walk routes you need to follow to Walk all 214 Wainwrights in just 59 walks.

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Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Cat Bells (Catbells)

Richard Banks walked up on February 13th, 2020 [from/via/route] Newlands

Stephen Batson climbed on February 8th, 2020 [from/via/route] Rosthwaite [with] Clare [weather] Very Windy

Stuart Rigby bagged on September 27th, 2019 [from/via/route] After hearing that Catbells is one of the most popular walks in the Lakes, we had to give it a go ourselves. We parked in a small parking area that suits about a dozen or so cars on a small unnamed road at the Northern end of Catbells right at the foot of the climb. Our climb started immediately from one end of the parking area. We are both in our 50's and are new to walking The Lakes so what might be a gentle ramble for some is a bit more challenging for us. We took several rest and photo stops on the way up to the first peak which was a pleasant effort. Once we got to the top and could see the next part of the walk we were looking forward to getting stuck in. The middle section between peaks is just an up and down stroll with lovely views both sides and the final peak is generally easy if you take the time to look for all the easier pathways that are slightly hidden by rocks and stones and meander around rather than the more direct route of just clambering over the rocks in a straight line. There was 1 small section that needed to be scrambled over with a little care but once traversed it was only 50 metres to the top. We were so glad we heeded all the advice regarding waterproofs etc as apart from mist and drizzle being intermittent for most of the climb we had a 5 minute spell of heavy rain, wind and hail as one grotesquely ugly cloud floated overhead as we neared the summit. The feeling of achievment once at the top is a delight. We would have stayed longer and probably had our packed lunch here but for the weather. The way down is either retrace your steps or carry on going until you find a fork in the path. Right takes you up a larger peak (Maiden Moor) thats pretty much dead ahead. We took the left fork the walk down the manmade path to Manesty Park was a joy and our stroll along the lake shore was relaxing and therapeutic. Be sure to visit the Teddy In The Window at Brandlehow as you follow the lake shore path. All in all an excellent walk with lots of variety that is approx 8-9km or so we've been told. The views as with most of The Lakes are spectacular and would've been even better on a sunny day but they were still amazing as things were. 3 hours well spent and ready for some nice food and a rewarding drink. [with] Mandy-wife. [weather] Cloudy drizzle with the odd splash of sunshine. Heavy rain and hail for 5 mins when 50m from summit. Rain for the rest of the walk once we were down.

Richard Fulcher hiked on January 28th, 2019 [from/via/route] Swinside - parked at the side of the road [with] Jen [weather] Lovely winters day - A short walk up to Catbells, down to Manesty Park and back along the side of the lake

Neil Walker summited on June 1st, 1982 [from/via/route] Car Park. [with] Doddridge & Commercial St URC

Jamie Bryan conquered on July 14th, 2019 [from/via/route] Little Town Loop [weather] Sunny

Richard Marchant scaled on October 9th, 1988 [from/via/route] We parked at the NT car park at the base of Cat Bells. This walk was basically the Newlands Round although we didn't take in Hindscarth. We started with the ascent of Cat Bells and basically followed the ridge up to High Spy then dipped down before ascending Dale Head. With my Mum being a bit tired we missed Hindscarth out and carried on along the ridge to Robinson and then cut down in to the Newlands valley and worked out way back to the car. Another lovely memory for me. [with] Mum & Dad [weather] A fine day with no wind and wall to wall sunshine - Carried out the Newlands round horseshoe with my Mum and was taken during a weeks holiday in the Lakes with Mum and my Dad although I just went out walking up the mountains with my Mum as my Dad was not fit enough to join us. We stopped at a self catering cottage at Dockray. Probably the last holiday I had away from Dorset with my Mum and Dad,

Mark Heybourne walked up on May 13th, 2019 [from/via/route] Skelgill Bank, Catbells, Manesty descent [with] David Lee [weather] sunny

Gerard Ball climbed on April 25th, 2019 [from/via/route] Hawes End - Catbells - Maiden Moor - High Spy - Newlands Valley [with] Julie Ball [weather] Hazy, blustery at times

Liz Sheerin bagged on February 16th, 2013 [from/via/route] Keswick [with] Neil

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. . . [see more walk reports]

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. . . see all 60 walk photographs & pictures of views from, on or of Cat Bells (Catbells)

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