Things to Do around Derwent Water
Derwent Water is a prominent lake region situated in the heart of the Lake District, Northwest England. Characterized by its extensive wooded slopes, surrounding fells like Cat Bells, and numerous islands, the area offers a diverse landscape for outdoor pursuits. The tranquil waters lead into the Borrowdale Valley, featuring ancient woodlands and varied terrain. This natural setting provides opportunities for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and more.
Things to Do in Derwent Water
The Derwent Water region offers a wide array of outdoor activities and routes for all skill levels. With more than 30 routes available across several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and more, there are many ways to explore the area. Hikers can find varied terrains, from the accessible Derwentwater Walk along the lakeshore to more challenging fell walks with panoramic views. Cyclists can enjoy scenic road routes around the lake or explore traffic-free paths. More than 588,000 visitors have shared their experiences in Derwent Water, resulting in an average rating of 4.64 out of 5 stars for its routes. For more detailed planning, explore guides such as Hiking around Derwent Water, Cycling around Derwent Water, or Dog-friendly hikes around Derwent Water.
174
Routes
4.6
(1824)
Average rating
24928
People visited
4.7
(448)
3,703
hikers
17.3km
04:45
260m
260m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(146)
1,068
hikers
14.3km
04:20
410m
420m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.3
(100)
683
hikers
8.03km
02:26
260m
260m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.5
(118)
1,222
hikers
8.37km
02:31
270m
270m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(106)
952
riders
29.2km
02:33
720m
710m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.7
(17)
193
riders
49.5km
04:30
1,080m
1,080m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
3.2
(5)
9
riders
42.3km
03:52
1,070m
1,070m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
4.7
(24)
281
riders
23.3km
02:09
550m
550m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(26)
1,070
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(5)
338
runners
20.2km
03:09
940m
940m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
5.0
(4)
105
runners
8.14km
01:01
280m
290m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(3)
408
runners
24.8km
02:57
520m
520m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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4.6
(21)
829
riders
35.7km
02:32
660m
660m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.6
(34)
193
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.8
(28)
572
riders
14.6km
00:54
120m
120m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(3)
373
riders
83.7km
05:39
1,350m
1,340m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(16)
509
riders
35.0km
01:52
620m
620m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
5.0
(3)
122
riders
60.2km
03:02
810m
810m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
19
riders
74.1km
04:06
1,110m
1,110m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
4.8
(6)
189
riders
40.0km
02:00
390m
390m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.9
(9)
45
riders
42.0km
03:37
700m
700m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.5
(2)
31
riders
21.2km
01:54
630m
630m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
4.7
(6)
49
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
5.0
(2)
27
riders
18.3km
01:19
380m
370m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
14
hikers
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
4.5
(2)
14
hikers
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
11
hikers
16.9km
05:48
840m
840m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
8
hikers
10.5km
03:54
650m
650m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Top attractions in the region
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Most popular attractions in Derwent Water
Nearby adventure guides
Natural areas to explore nearby
Frequently asked questions
What outdoor activities are available in Derwent Water?
Derwent Water offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The region features 36 routes with an average rating of 4.64 stars from komoot users.
What are the most popular hiking trails around Derwent Water?
The Derwentwater Walk, an approximately 8-mile (13 km) lakeshore path, is a popular choice for its accessibility and views. For more challenging options, the surrounding fells like Cat Bells offer rewarding hikes. Explore more options in the Hiking around Derwent Water guide.
Are there cycling routes around Derwent Water?
Yes, a 10-mile (16 km) circuit around Derwent Water is a suggested local route for road cycling. The area is also close to Route 71 of the National Cycle Network. Find more details in the Cycling around Derwent Water guide.
Are there easy or family-friendly walks in Derwent Water?
The Derwentwater Walk offers relatively flat paths suitable for various fitness levels. The Keswick to Threlkeld Railway Trail provides a family-friendly, accessible, and flat 6-mile (10 km) off-road route. Consult the Family-friendly hikes around Derwent Water guide for more options.
What mountain biking trails are available near Derwent Water?
Whinlatter Forest, a short distance from Keswick, provides purpose-built mountain bike trails. These include the challenging red-grade Altura Trail and the family-friendly blue-grade Quercus Trail. More information is available in the MTB Trails around Derwent Water guide.
Are there dog-friendly hiking options around Derwent Water?
Many trails around Derwent Water are suitable for dogs. It is advisable to keep dogs on leads, especially near livestock. Specific routes and tips can be found in the Dog-friendly hikes around Derwent Water guide.
What are the main natural features of Derwent Water?
Derwent Water is surrounded by fells such as Cat Bells and offers views of Skiddaw. The lake contains several islands, including Derwent Island and St Herbert's Island, and is bordered by extensively wooded slopes.
How popular is Derwent Water for outdoor activities on komoot?
More than 588,000 visitors have shared their experiences in Derwent Water on komoot. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.64 out of 5 stars, based on over 50,000 ratings.
Are there any waterfall hikes in Derwent Water?
Yes, the Derwent Water region features routes that include waterfalls. Specific trails can be explored in the Waterfall hikes around Derwent Water guide.
Where can I find hikes accessible by public transport around Derwent Water?
Several hiking routes in the Derwent Water area are accessible from bus stations. This allows for car-free exploration of the region. Refer to the Hikes from bus stations around Derwent Water guide for details.
What komoot guides are available for exploring Derwent Water?
Komoot offers several guides for Derwent Water, including Hiking around Derwent Water, Cycling around Derwent Water, and Dog-friendly hikes around Derwent Water. Other guides cover running, road cycling, MTB, and family-friendly options.
How can I find official information about Derwent Water?
Derwent Water is part of the Lake District National Park. General information can be found via the National Trust's website for Borrowdale & Derwent Water or the official visitor website for Keswick. The National Trust can be contacted at 01768774649.
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