Catbells & Maiden Moor

Catbells (Cat Bells on the OS maps) is one of the most popular walks in the Lakes, and on most days is rammed to the gills with people walking their dogs. In January, in the rain, you'll probably only meet a handful of people on the rocky top.

There's a small car park nestled in the crook of Yewthwaite Comb by a bridge near the Newlands Church. If your car is much bigger than a midsize hatchback, you'll need to take the eastern road in, since the bridge is narrower than most.

The walk up the comb is simple but not particularly attractive. There's an old fenced-off shaft about halfway up; you'll be able to spot the dark hole of a disused level up on the right (this level is navigable for about 200m before coming to a collapse—I don't recommend exploring it).

The views over Derwent Water will suddenly open up at the col between Catbells and Maiden Moor. Head right up towards Maiden Moor.

The start of the climb heads over a couple of little crags, but soon levels out into a walk up a gravel track. There's not much of a top to Maiden Moor—the most pitiful cairn you'll ever see marks the summit. Views are probably stunning; the summit was in the clouds when we reached it.

Back down the track towards the col and it's a simple climb up the back of Catbells to the craggy summit. You'll probably have some trouble nabbing a selfie without people in the background, but the trig point on the top has a cool diagram of all of the surrounding peaks.

The walk down is simple but rough on the toes.