GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Friar's Crag Walk

1 miles (1.5 km)

This short walk in Keswick visits a beautiful viewpoint overlooking Derwentwater. You can start the walk from the theatre car park just north of the crag. The route then passes along the lake before coming to the viewpoint. Here you can enjoy a rest on the bench and take in the stunning views across the lake and Derwent Isle. You will also pass the memorial to John Ruskin, the leading English art critic of the Victorian era. He has strong associations with Keswick and greatly admired the view from Friar's Crag.
After taking in the views you can return to the car park the same way or head around Strandshag Bay and return through Cockshott Wood. Just to the east of Cockshott Wood you can take a small detour and visit Castlehead Woods and the Castlehead viewpoint. It's worth visiting as you can enjoy wonderful views of the surrounding fells with a toposcope naming them all.
If you would like to extend your walk further you could continue south and explore Great Wood before climbing to Walla Crag. Also nearby is the wonderful Castlerigg Stone Circle.

Postcode

CA12 5DJ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Friar's Crag OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Friar's Crag Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby

Photos

Friar's Crag - geograph.org.uk - 763449

Friar's Crag

Derwentwater from Friar's Crag, Keswick. - panoramio

Derwentwater from Friar's Crag, Keswick.

Ruskin's memorial, Friar's Crag

John Ruskin was a well-known champion of the Lake District, and apparently had a particular fondness for the view from Friar's Crag. He died in 1900 and this memorial was erected shortly afterwards. It is listed grade II 

Small bay east of Friar's Crag - geograph.org.uk - 3260022

Small bay east of Friar's Crag

Footpath to Keswick from Friar's Crag - geograph.org.uk - 3260029

Footpath to Keswick from Friar's Crag

Friars Crag - geograph.org.uk - 480170

This Derwent Water beach runs around to the wooded Friars Crag on the left. The crag achieved its name because it was believed to be the embarkment point for monks making a pilgrimage to St Herbert's Island, located south-west of the crag.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Friar's Crag.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Friar's Crag.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)