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Friar's Crag Walk
Friar's Crag viewpoint opens up one of the finest scenes in the Lake District. Take a moment to absorb the view looking south along Derwentwater to the stunning Borrowdale valley in the distance with Cat Bells catching your eye on the right.
This gentle walk is accessible for all and takes from the heart of Keswick, down to the lake shore.
The route: 2.1 miles
Walking out of your front door at the Royal Oak, head right towards the Moot Hall. Once you're in the market square turn back on yourself and head down the lane on your right if your back is facing the Tourist Information Centre door, suitably known as Market Square Lane. A short walk down the lane passing shops, cafe's and galleries turn right doe Lake Road, past George Fisher. Before you get to the bottom of the lane, take the footpath on the left to pass under Heads Road (B5289). Follow this footpath keeping left until you rejoin Lake Road. Hope Park will be on your right.
Follow Lake Road past the car park and Theatre by the Lake until you reach the beach and jetties at Keswick Launch. Here you'll get a glimpse of Derwentwater with Cat Bells in the distance and the wooden launch boats in the foreground, a quintessential Lakeland scene. Follow Lake Road to the left above the beach, after a short distance the road becomes a footpath. Follow this footpath keeping right at the sign post to reach the glorious viewpoint of Friar's Crag. Time to take it all in.
Once you've absorbed the magnificent view, retrace your steps to the sign post, this time turning right towards Strandshag Bay. Meander your way along the lake shore until you see a footpath through the field on your left. Follow this footpath to Cockshot Wood.
There are a few footpath options through the wood. Take the second footpath on the left shortly after entering the wood. Follow this path until you return to Lake Road, overlooking the jetties.
Turn right and make your way back up Lake Road, retracing your steps into Keswick where we will be waiting for you with a pint of award winning Thwaites Ale, or a cup of tea.