Catbells

Cat Bells
The classic view of Cat Bells from near Friars Crag on the opposite side of Derwent Water
Highest point
Elevation	451 m (1,480 ft)
Prominence	86 m (282 ft)
Parent peak	Dale Head
Listing	Wainwright
Coordinates	54°34′07″N 3°10′15″W / 54.56865°N 3.17083°W / 54.56865; -3.17083Coordinates: 54°34′07″N 3°10′15″W / 54.56865°N 3.17083°W / 54.56865; -3.17083
Geography
Cat Bells Location in Lake District, UK
Location	Cumbria, England
Parent range	Lake District, North Western Fells
OS grid	NY244199
Topo map	OS Landrangers 89, 90, Explorer OL4

Cat Bells is a fell in the English Lake District in the county of Cumbria. It has a modest height of 451 metres (1,480 ft) but despite this it is one of the most popular fells in the area. It is situated on the western shore of Derwent Water within 3 miles (5 km) of the busy tourist town of Keswick. Its distinctive shape catches the attention of many visitors to the Lakes who feel compelled to climb to the summit after seeing it from the viewpoint of Friars Crag on the opposite side of Derwent Water. Renowned Lake District writer and walker Alfred Wainwright acknowledges the popularity of Cat Bells among fellwalkers of all ability by saying:

The fell's unusual name may well have come from a distortion of "Cat Bields" meaning shelter of the wild cat, although this is not certain. The fell's name is sometimes written as Catbells.

Cat Bells is the last fell on the ridge separating Derwent Water from the Newlands valley. It rises due south from Hawse End, reaching the summit in two distinct steps. The lower top is named Skelgill Bank. Beyond the summit of Cat Bells is the steep sided depression of Hause Gate, before the ridge broadens and twists south westward to Maiden Moor.

The Cat Bells ridge is an example of the Buttermere Formation, an olistostrome of disrupted, sheared and folded mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.

Nearly all ascents of Cat Bells start from Hawse End at the foot of the northern ridge; there is car parking here but the spaces soon get taken on busy summer days. Hawse End is also served by the Derwent Water Motor Launch and this enables visitors to Keswick to combine a sail on the lake with an ascent of the fell. Many walkers who reach the top of Cat Bells return to their starting point after admiring the view, however, strong walkers can continue along the ridge to take in the fells of Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head, Hindscarth and Robinson to give a horseshoe walk which ends in the Newlands valley close to Hawse End.