Routes up Cat Bells

Q. Hello - I wonder if you could let us know a nice way up and down Catbells [sic] - I understand there are steeper ways than others.

We want to avoid these as my husband will be carrying our 2 year old in the baby back carrier?

I look forward to hearing your replies!

Kind regards

Gaynor Brennan, Leeds

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A. Cat Bells is one of those mountains which only has one route up it - and that is from Hawes End by climbing South up the steep Woodford Path across Skelgill Bank to reach the summit.

The ridge path then continues beyond Cat Bells across a shallow col before climbing again on to Maiden Moor and then High Spy before descending to Dale Head Tarn.

See Walks

• c100 The Newlands Horseshoe from Hawes End

• c291 Cat Bells and High Spy from Hawes End

• c313 The Newlands Fells from Hawes End

• c399 Cat Bells and Derwent Water from Keswick

• c405 Cat Bells, High Spy and Castle Crag from Hawes End

• c459 The Greater Newlands Horseshoe from Hawes End

- for details.

Hope this helps

Mike (Editor)

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A. I have just come back from a weekend at the Lakes and was amazed at how many people were using child carriers. On day 1 I walked from Keswick down to Borrowdale via Cat Bells and Castle Crag. There were at least 10 to 15 people with child carriers on Cat Bells and they seemed to have managed fine

I wouldn't worry! Enjoy!

Adam Pankhurst, Newcastle

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A. I have carried all three of my children (not at once) using a baby carrier around the hills and fells of the UK. If it's a good quality baby carrier it's not different to carrying a 40lb-ish ruck sack (except a ruck sack doesn't keep pulling your hat off). Go for it. It'll be good exercise.

Keith Nixon, Ipswich

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