Hawse End over Cat Bells up Maiden Moor: route map, distance and time
575 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY236181
Maiden Moor is the broad grassy ridge between Cat Bells and High Spy, walked by most people on the classic ridge above Derwentwater and Newlands.
Climb over Cat Bells, with some rock near its top, then follow the grassy ridge south to Maiden Moor.
Hawse End over Cat Bells at a glance
| Distance | 4.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 584 m |
| Time up | 1h 50m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 45m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Hawse End, Derwentwater |
| Start grid reference | NY 251 212 |
| Summit grid reference | NY236181 |
Hawse End over Cat Bells map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- Swinside Inn1.0 km
- The Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden1.0 km
- Nichol End Cafe1.6 km
- The Moon and Sixpence2.0 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Hawse End over Cat Bells takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 45m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 20m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05. Start by 14:20 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:18 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 45m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Maiden Moor summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 10°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 20 mph gusting 25 mph, 29% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:05.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Dense drizzle, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 0°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 69% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Hawse End over Cat Bells: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 25 mph and a 29% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Maiden Moor forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 0°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Maiden Moor
Maiden Moor is the broad grassy ridge between Cat Bells and High Spy, walked by most people on the classic ridge above Derwentwater and Newlands. More about Maiden Moor, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High Spy North Top (634 m), 1.1 km south
- Cat Bells (451 m), 1.8 km north-east
- High Spy (653 m), 2 km south
- Hindscarth (727 m), 2.7 km south-west
Challenges that include Maiden Moor
More walks from Hawse End, Derwentwater
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Hawse End via the north ridge up Cat Bells
Other routes up Maiden Moor
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Town, Newlands | 2.7 km one way | 409 m | 1h 15m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 251 212, the summit at NY236181), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Hawse End over Cat Bells: questions and answers
How far is Hawse End over Cat Bells?
Hawse End over Cat Bells is 4.4 km one way to the summit of Maiden Moor, with 584 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 8.8 km.
How long does Hawse End over Cat Bells take?
About 1h 50m to the summit of Maiden Moor and 2h 45m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 3h 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Hawse End over Cat Bells?
Hawse End over Cat Bells starts from Hawse End, Derwentwater. The grid reference is NY 251 212.
Is Hawse End over Cat Bells suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Hawse End over Cat Bells today?
By 14:20 at the latest. Sunset on Maiden Moor today is 18:05, Hawse End over Cat Bells takes about 2h 45m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Hawse End over Cat Bells?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).