Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Visited July 19, 2023

Started at the center of Keswick. I walked from Little Leveret Cottage where I was staying.

10 degrees Celsius forecasted (50 degrees Fahrenheit), mix of sun and clouds; 7:00 AM-10:00 AM

I did not see any public toilets

Keswick is very dog friendly. At one point in Great Wood, I met a couple training their sweet labrador puppy. He was happy to run up to greet me after his people asked if it was okay.

I walked 7.8 miles total from Little Leverett Cottage to near Lodore Hotel because I did not do the full loop back to Keswick. Once I reached Derwent Water, I headed toward Borrowdale Hotel. I followed the path described on the Visit Keswick website: https://www.keswick.org/what-to-do/walking-routes/great-wood-and-derwentwater. The walk is described as a 4.3-mile walk but I added a few miles to walk toward Borrowdale. The trail description online was very helpful.

The temperature was cool enough that I was glad to be wearing waterproof jacket and pants.

The trail was very nice with beautiful views and a peaceful atmosphere. One helpful note for those who do not do the loop back to Keswick but head toward Borrowdale Hotel as I did: when the trail disappears near Lodore Hotel, cross and walk down the road a ways to pick up the trail as it crosses Chinese Bridge.

I had the trail mostly to myself except for a few runners and dog walkers who easily bypassed me.

Parking: There is limited parking available. I walked or used the bus and ferry during my stay. The bus schedule is available in the entryway at the Booths Grocery Store in Keswick and the ferry schedule is available online: https://keswick-launch.co.uk/cruises/times/

There was very little trash along the trails.

The temperature was low enough that I did not have trouble with mosquitos or midges.

I would not recommend this trail for strollers. I did not see any on the trail.

I saw a variety of wildflowers, berry briars, ferns, mosses, lichens, ivy, and trees.

For more information: https://www.keswick.org/what-to-do/walking-routes/great-wood-and-derwentwater

Nearby:

The Royal Oak The Royal Oak, Main St, Keswick CA12 5HZ - Call 017687 73135

https://www.royaloakkeswick.co.uk/?gclid=CjwKCAjww7KmBhAyEiwA5-PUStiWAyKJwW-tZ-u9NRmCG0-_LmCmsG4tu70BL_RnN4h9uh40KBNlXhoCvUgQAvD_BwE

Just a few minutes' walk from the boat launch and the cottage where I was staying for the week. They offer rooms and based on the dining service, I would be interested in checking out their rooms if I ever visit Keswick again.

I ate dinner here more than once during the week. The food and beverages were excellent. The service was friendly and spot on. The place is very dog friendly. I did not have a dog with me, but I witnessed many dogs visiting during the week. I stopped in early in the day to make dinner reservations or made them a day ahead. This is strongly recommended during the high tourist season.

Sign posts @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Blackberries waiting to turn @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Passed a campground as I approached the trail using Springs Road. @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

One of many grand trees I saw while on my walk @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Sign for Spring farm @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Footpath painted on stone wall with vine that looked like Virginia creeper. @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

A little shop @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Sign post @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Cute looking shop but I was out too early to check it out. @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Water @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Gate with trail arrow @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Trail @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

I turned right at the T junction in the middle of Springs Wood @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

View from the trail @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Trail @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

View from trail @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Views of Derwent Water @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

View from the trail @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Sign post @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

I turned right at this sign post after passing a phone mast @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

The phone mast I passed @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Path with stone wall @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Path with tall ferns @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

According to the website, I am seeing views of Derwent Water and "Keswick town toward Bassenthwaite Lake". @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Path with a puddle @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

There was a path to the right by the white sign but the path description said to keep to the left and ignore any paths to the right. @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

A note from the North Lakes Rangers about the work in the Borrowdale woodland regarding the path clearing and the creation of "scallops or small clearings". There was a note that the small woodpiles would be left as habitat for mosses and insects. @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Path @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Very tall trees @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Lovely curving trail with ferns on the sides @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

@ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Moss and ferns @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Big rock and ferns @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Rocky path @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Sign post @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

I took a right @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Then I took an immediate left @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Path @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Crossed the tarmac track @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Path @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Path with a gap in the wall to access and cross B5289 @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Used the gaps in the wall to carefully cross the B5289 road @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Taking a right will lead to Keswick @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Cool tree roots @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Sign post @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Amazing exposed roots on this tree at the edge of Derwent Water @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Derwent Water @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

I went to the right toward Keswick for a ways, long enough to see the centenary stone again. @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

And to see the Millenium Seat that I had somehow missed when I came through a few days prior. @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

The Millenium Seat @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Marker for the bench @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Derwent Water @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Tree with fortitude @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Bench @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Tree with coins in it that I missed seeing a few days prior when I did the Derwent Water loop @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Derwent Water @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

Trail @ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

@ Great Wood and Derwent Water Loop from Keswick, Cumbria, UK

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