Keswick, Cumbria – Market Town on the Cumbria Way

Lakeside Paths, Parkland Walks, and the Lake District National Park

Keswick is a market town in the northern Lake District on the Cumbria Way, set between Skiddaw and Derwentwater within the Lake District National Park. The route passes directly through the town, linking riverside and parkland paths with streets and open green spaces before continuing along the lake and into Borrowdale.

Approaching from the Caldbeck and Threlkeld side, the trail descends through farmland and woodland into the Greta valley and reaches the edge of town near Fitz Park. From here, walking briefly shifts from rural tracks to pavements and shared paths as waymarking guides walkers through Keswick and toward the lakeshore.

Keswick provides one of the fullest ranges of services anywhere on the route. There are shops, cafés, pubs, supermarkets, outdoor stores, and a wide choice of accommodation, making it a practical place to stop, resupply, or stay overnight. Bus connections link the town with Penrith, Cockermouth, and other parts of the national park, allowing flexible access without a car.

Beyond Keswick, the Cumbria Way follows the shoreline of Derwentwater on lakeside and woodland paths before entering Borrowdale. The built environment quickly fades, replaced by fields, trees, and rising fells as the route returns to quieter valley walking.