Family walks near Bassenthwaite
Bassenthwaite is in the northern Lake District area and is the most northerly of the lakes. There are lots of family walks near Bassenthwaite that you will love exploring. There are a small mountains to climb as well as some more challenging ones, woodland walks and lakeside walks too, all just a short drive from Bassenthwaite village. Find loads more family walks Lake District here.
Can you walk around Bassenthwaite lake?
It’s not possible to complete a full circuit of Bassenthwaite lake as a lot of the east shores of the lake are privately owned. You can find circular walks but they will come away from the shores in parts especially on the east shores.
Dodd wood
Dodd wood is a forestry England woodland, north of Keswick. There is a pay and display car park which is pay on exit. There are toilets and a cafe in the car park too as well as picnic areas. The cafe, Old Sawmill tearoom serves delicious cakes and savoury bites. You can even enjoy afternoon tea after your walk.
There is a network of walking trails through the woods with options for different lengths and types of walk. If you’re lucky you might get to see Bassenthwaite Osprey as they have nested near her each summer since 2001. You might even spot Bassenthwaite Ospreys from an Osprey viewpoint. There are two osprey viewpoints clearly marked on the trail maps.
You can find a map of the walks outside the toilet block and pick up a leaflet too. All walks are well marked, just choose your route and follow the coloured arrows of your chosen route.
There are 4 trails to choose from and for those with older children, you can join paths up skiddaw mountain range. The 4 routes are Sandbed Gill trail which is 2.5km or 1.5 miles. This is a woodland walk with views of the northern end of Bassenthwaite lake.
Skill Beck trail is also 2.5km or 1.5 miles. This one is more of a climb with stunning views. Dodd summit trail is 3 miles or 4.75km which is a steep climb to the summit where on a clear day, you can enjoy stunning views of Derwent water, Bassenthwaite lake and the coast.
Finally, the shortest trail is the Douglas fir trail which is 1.5 km or 1 mile which is through an area of magnificent Douglas fir trees.
Mirehouse Keswick
Mirehouse and gardens are across the road from Dodd woods. You can park in Dodd wood car park You need to buy admission tickets in the old sawmill tea room, in the car park.
There are play areas, a historic house (open to the public on selected days only), gardens, lakeside walk and woodland walks to enjoy here as well as the house when it is open. It’s possible to do a lovely circular walk here. At the time of writing it is £4.80 for an adult and £2 for a child over 4 to explore the gardens and walks on the shores of Bassenthwaite lake.
Find out more here – Mirehouse Keswick
Latrigg
Would you love to climb an easy Wainwright hike? Latrigg offers great views of the slopes of skiddaw as you walk the route to the summit. At the summit, there are amazing views of Keswick and Derwent water.
There are multiple route walks including one for all abilities. You can start the walk from the centre of Keswick or in a car park just 1 mile from the summit.
Find full details in this post – Latrigg walk
Buttermere lake circular
This walk is a short drive from Bassenthwaite and well worth the drive. We drove over the Newlands Pass to get there and saw spectacular views of the Newlands valley on the drive. We also stopped in the free parking area at the top to view the Moss Force Waterfall which I’d highly recommend you do too if you love waterfalls.
Once you arrive in Buttermere you can enjoy a circular route around the lake. Most of the path is along the lake shore with impressive views of the lake. The path is definitely not suitable for prams though. The full route is about 4.5 miles all the way around.
There are a few waterfalls that you can see from the walking including one very early on (if you walk anti-clockwise) which has a viewing platform so you can get up close.
Catbells
Catbells is a very popular hike in the Lakes so it can get busy, especially on a bank holiday. You could even start your walk by arriving on the Keswick launch boat.
Here is a 3.6 mile walk that you can follow – Walk: Cat Bells.
Whinlatter forest
You can enjoy a great family walk at Whinlatter forest, although I would recommend you leave the pram at home if you can however I have heard some readers have taken a pushchair on the Gruffalo trail.
It is a mountain forest where you will pretty much always be going up or down. It is still good for kids as they have marked routes including a shorter walk and mostly it is a gentle climb (on the routes we have walked anyway).
There is also a fantastic play area near to the start of the walk and the visitor centre. The play trail is approximately 1 mile long and contains loads of great play equipment like slides, climbing frames, sand and water play areas.
You can pick up a leaflet for the Gruffalo trail which includes loads of wooden sculptures of the Gruffalo and his friends. There is also a short Gruffalo’s party trail on in 2024 and several other marked walking routes.
Find out more about Whinlatter forest walks for families here.
Derwent water
You can enjoy lovely lakeside strolls along the shore of Derwentwater. It is possible to walk all the way around if you have teens. It’s approximately 10 miles around and it’s not all smooth pram-friendly paths.
You can walk a bit further than Friar’s Crag with a pram though and there is a circular route that would take you back to the centre of Keswick (away from the lake) but we usually just turn round and retrace our steps.
You can get a boat around Derwent water here too, the Keswick launch.
Binsey
Binsey is right on the northern edge of the Lake District National Park. It’s a little hill so it’s great for families. The route from the car park to the summit is just under 2 miles so really achievable.
The views from the summit give you superb views in all directions including views of Ullock pike and the Skiddaw range.
Full route details here – Binsey
Keswick to Threlkeld old railway line
This is a great option if you are looking for a Pram-friendly walks lake district or somewhere to let the kids scoot or bike ride. It’s a clear path that makes for an easy walk for little legs.
This low level walk is up to 6 miles long if you follow the path all the way to Threlkeld and then retrace your steps. Alternatively, you can walk as far as you like and then turn back.
Find the full details here – Keswick to Threlkeld railway path.
Sale fell
Sale fell is situated at the northern end of Bassenthwaite Lake. It’s another lesser know fell so it will be quieter. It’s not too strenuous so it is great for families and has lovely views from the summit of sale fell.
Find the route details here – Sale Fell
Castle crag
This is another one of those little hills that is achievable for families with kids over about 5 years old. It takes about 3 – 4 hours. We haven’t done this walk yet as it seems a little too much for our youngest but I can’t wait to go back when she is a bit older.
The Bowder stone
This is a large boulder that measures 9 meters high and 15 meters across! It is located in the beautiful Borrowdale valley at the southern most tip of Derwentwater.
It can be reached by a short walk from a National Trust car park and there is a set of steps so that you can climb to the top. It’s definitely worth visiting but the walk is very short and we did try following the path further. It comes to the main road which we crossed and followed the path alongside the river. However, it soon became clear that this path was boggy and overgrown!
You’re best doing the short walk and then driving to another nearby walk to explore further.
Walla crag
Walla crag near Keswick is worth the climb for spectacular views over Derwentwater. It’s a steepish but not too difficult climb. and the views from the top are rewarding.
Lord’s seat
This is one of the higher fell’s in this list and is therefore best suited to families with older children.
More things to do in the Lake District
You must visit Keswick if you are in Bassenthwaite. Find all the great Things to do in Keswick here.
If it’s raining, you might like this guide – Things to do in Keswick in the rain.
Find the best Things to do in the lake district when it rains here.
Find more Family walks Lake District here. This includes some of these walks but more across the whole of the Lake District too.
Find Pram friendly walks Lake District here.
Find all the Child-friendly attractions in the Lake District here.
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