A group, including a wheelchair user, walking along the trail in Cockshot wood on a cloudy winter's day — Walking along the trail in Cockshot Wood on a winter's day | © Melinda Gilhen-Baker

Lake District

Derwent Water and Cockshot wood accessible loop

A stile-free circular route along the Derwent Water foreshore and back via Cockshot Wood with views over the lake to Cat Bells and Causey Pike. Optional extension to the famous view point at Friar’s Crag. Choice of two routes at Strandshag bay, one with a smooth compact surface and one closer to the lake with some boulders, tree roots and muddy patches.

Steep drops at Friar's Crag

This route includes an optional extension to the viewpoint at Friar’s Crag. Please be aware that there are steep drops from the crag, narrow paths – narrowest point is 2’10” (87cm) – and restricted turning space.

Trail information summary

Walking

DifficultyEasy*
Dog friendly**
Duration 30 mins to 45 mins
Access: Easy***
DistanceMiles: 1.25 miles (km: NaN) Full trail
DistanceMiles: 1 mile (km: NaN) Short trail

*The route starts and ends with a 7% gradient on tarmac from/to the car park and ends with a 15% gradient. Otherwise all gradients are less than 15%. For further details, please see Terrain section
**Please note this route crosses a field grazed by sheep, please keep dogs under close control, especially at lambing time. For further details please see section marked Facilities.
***This circular walk starts from Keswick Lakeside carpark (what3Words ///waltzed.sideburns.cases), and includes tarmac lakeshore promenade before venturing out on paths with a smooth compact surface across a field grazed by Herdwick sheep and returning via the woodland on paths with some rougher areas, small boulders, tree routes and muddy patches. For further details please see section marked Access.

OS map: Explorer OL4; Landranger 89 and 90

Near to Borrowdale and Derwent Water

View or download a print-friendly version of this trail

Total steps: 10

Start point

Keswick Lakeside Car Park, Grid Ref: NY265229 what3Words ///waltzed.sideburns.cases, Postcode: CA12 5DJ

Step 1

Start from Keswick Lakeside carpark (what3Words ///waltzed.sideburns.cases). Exit the carpark onto Lake Road past Theatre by the Lake. Continue down the tarmac for 164yds (150m) to the lake.

A sloped tarmacked road and pavement leading from the car park to Derwent Water lakeshore — The slope from the car park to the lake | © Jessie Binns

Step 2

At the bottom of the slope on the left, there is a map panel showing this route and others, beside the Moon and Sixpence coffee shop. Carry straight on along the road along the promenade for 273yds (250m), ignoring three entrances to the left into the woods.

View along the Derwent Water foreshore promenade. There are cobbles on the ground outside the Moon & Sixpence cafe. — Derwent Water foreshore promenade - cobbles outside Moon & Sixpence | © Jessie Binns

Step 3

There is another downhill gradient 5% towards where the tarmac ends. Continue straight ahead onto the National Trust path and continue for 164yds (150m) until you get to the fork. 

The uneven surface of a lakeside path leading to the start of a National Trust path — Uneven surface before National Trust path starts | © Jessie Binns

Step 4

At the fork you have a choice: You can turn right for the optional 273yds (250m) out-and-back to the famous viewpoint of Friar’s Crag. Alternatively you can turn left for the two alternative routes around Strandshag Bay (skip to step 5).

A tight turning area on the lakeshore path at Friar's Crag — Tight turning area at Friar's Crag | © Jessie Binns

Step 5

There are two options for Strandshag Bay. The upper path is via the 4ft (1.2m) two-way gate visible immediately as you take the left fork. This path is 4ft (1.2m) wide with a smooth compacted surface, two benches, and a 16yd (15m) stretch of wooden boardwalk covered in avian wire.  The upper and lower paths meet up again after 390yds (360m) on the far side of the bay beside a fallen tree. This field is grazed by sheep.

Rough surface on lower path

The lower path is accessed via the 3’6” (106cm) one-way gate which opens away from you at the bottom of the slope. This path stays closer to the lake but suffers storm damage in winter and has small boulders, tree roots, loose gravel and short muddy sections. There is one bench where the paths meet up again. The lower path can become submerged when lake levels are high.

The uneven path surface on the lower path at Strandshag Bay — Uneven path surface on the lower path at Strandshag Bay | © Jessie Binns

Step 6

Where the paths meet before the fallen tree, turn left and head towards the woods for 300yds (275m). The path has a smooth compacted surface. There is a 13yd (12m) section of wooden boardwalk covered in avian wire. There are no benches on the route now until you get to step 10 (656yds / 600m).

View of the boardwalk before Cockshot Wood — The boardwalk before Cockshot Wood | © Jessie Binns

Step 7

When you reach Cockshot Wood there is a 4ft (1.2m) two-way gate, go through it and continue 54yds (50m) to the first major path to the left by the large beech tree (ignore the minor path immediately beside the gate). 

Visitors should turn left at the big beech tree on the woodland path — Turn left at the big beech tree | © Jessie Binns

Step 8

When you come to the first major path to the left by the large beach tree, take that left turn. Continue for 273yds (250m) until the next fork in the path.  

A slight sideways camber on short stretches of the lake side path by Derwent Water — A slight sideways camber on short stretches of the path | © Jessie Binns

Step 9

At the fork in the path, take the left hand fork which heads back down towards the lake for 65yds (60m)

A narrow path leads to the lake — The path to the lake is narrow | © Jessie Binns

Step 10

When you meet the tarmac promenade at Derwent Water foreshore again, turn right and return to the car park for 218yds (200m), retracing steps 1 and 2, uphill gradient 7%.