Best Trail Runs From Keswick
The best trail runs from Keswick, including routes you can start on foot from town. Lake laps to the Bob Graham legs, honest grading and free GPX on every route.
Best trail runs from Keswick
Keswick is the best trail running base in the northern Lakes. The fells start almost at the edge of town, Derwentwater is a few minutes from the centre, and several of the routes below can be run without touching the car once you're there. The list runs from an 8.3km loop up Latrigg to the 50km Abraham's Tea Round, a proper Keswick rite of passage. Every route has a free GPX download and an honest TRP Grade.
Route comparison
| Route | Distance | TRP Grade | Car-free from town? | GPX |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Latrigg from Keswick | 8.3km | Moderate | Yes | GPX |
| Derwentwater Round from Keswick | 14.6km | Hard | Yes | GPX |
| Coledale Horseshoe | 13.6km | Very Hard | Short drive | GPX |
| Catbells from Keswick | 16.8km | Hard | Yes | GPX |
| Walla Crag, Castle Crag and Derwentwater | 26.2km | Very Hard | Yes | GPX |
| Skiddaw and Blencathra via Lonscale Fell | 23.2km | Very Hard | Short drive | GPX |
| Abraham's Tea Round | 50.0km | Expert | Yes | GPX |
Straight from the town
You don't need a car for some of the best running here. Latrigg from Keswick (8.3km) is the quick one — a friendly grassy summit with the whole sweep of Derwentwater below, reached on a loop you can start from the centre. The Derwentwater Round from Keswick (14.6km) laps the lake on good, near-flat paths, ideal for a recovery day or a first long run. For a summit the long way, Catbells from Keswick (16.8km) gives you kilometres of lakeside running each side of the climb, no car needed.
When you want more, the Walla Crag, Castle Crag and Derwentwater loop (26.2km) takes you out along the airy edge of Walla Crag and deep into Borrowdale to the steep slate cone of Castle Crag, all on one long lap from town.
Bigger fell days
The Skiddaw massif rises straight behind Keswick. Skiddaw and Blencathra via Lonscale Fell (23.2km, Very Hard) gives you four Northern Fell Wainwrights in one round, including the roof of the region on Skiddaw and the dramatic edges of Blencathra. It's serious mountain running — exposed, long, and weather-dependent.
For the full Keswick experience, Abraham's Tea Round (50km, around 3,389m of climb, Expert) earns you a free cup of tea at Abraham's Café by touching every summit you can see from its top-floor window. It's a big, committing day — plan your food, check the forecast, and don't set off late.
Practical notes
Car-free running. Keswick has good bus links and the launch boats on Derwentwater can shorten the lake routes. The town itself puts Latrigg, the Derwentwater Round and Catbells within reach on foot.
Shoes. Lakeside paths take a comfortable trail shoe; the fell routes want an aggressive fell shoe for grip on wet grass and rock.
Safety. The high routes are exposed and serious in bad weather. Carry a waterproof, food and offline navigation, and check the mountain forecast for the summit height. In an emergency call 999 or 112, ask for Police then Mountain Rescue. No signal? Pre-register emergency SMS by texting register to 999.
FAQs
Which Keswick trail runs can I do without a car?
Latrigg, the Derwentwater Round and Catbells from Keswick all start on foot from the town. Keswick also has bus links and Derwentwater launch boats to extend or shorten routes.
What is the best easy run from Keswick?
Latrigg from Keswick (8.3km) is the gentlest summit, and the Derwentwater Round (14.6km) is a flat lake lap. Both are good first trail runs.
What is Abraham's Tea Round?
A 50km Keswick fell-running challenge that visits every summit visible from the top-floor window of Abraham's Café — and earns you a free cup of tea at the finish. It's graded Expert.
Do I need to register to download GPX files?
No. Every GPX download on Trail Running Planet is free, with no account, no email gate and no paywall.
More Lake District routes
See our guide to the best Lake District trail running routes, or browse every Lake District route.
