Rosthwaite
Ready for your day: the walks from Rosthwaite, the tops above it, and the bus to the start.
Daylight on 27 October: sunrise 07:04, sunset 16:48
The tops Decent on Castle Crag and Great Crag (Stonethwaite), the best of the 6 fells nearest Rosthwaite verdicts for 27 October
Choose from all 17 walksExplore the map
A walk can have more than one way to its start. Verdicts: the site’s scorer reading the weather on each top, not whether a walk suits you. Daylight: worked out for the centre of Rosthwaite; a latest start assumes a steady pace and an hour in hand before dusk, a computed time, not a guarantee. How we check →
First light
The sun reaches the Rosthwaite start about 09:41 in October · sunrise 07:42
From the terrain around the start (Copernicus GLO-30), mid-month · how we work it outThe last bus
From Rosthwaite General Store (near):
Towards Keswick (78): Tuesday to Sunday 20:05.
As timetabled from 27 October to 1 November · checked against the operator’s timetable, 12 September · the bus mapA day from Rosthwaite
On the fells
Verdicts for 27 October, lowest fell first:
- Castle Crag 290 m Decent
- Grange Fell (Brund Fell) 417 m Save it
- Great Crag (Stonethwaite) 449 m Decent
- Eagle Crag 523 m Save it
- Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot 551 m Save it
- High Spy 653 m Save it
Mountain forecast
Met Office mountain forecast for the Lake District (opens in new tab)
The forecasters’ own words for the tops.Explore Rosthwaite
The walks from Rosthwaite on one map, with the fells above them, the buses that reach their starts, and where to park. Choose a walk to see how you reach its start; everything on the map is in the lists below it.
An overview, not a navigation map: carry a map and compass on the fell. Lines are simplified from our GPX; distances to a stop or landing are on foot, the others in a straight line. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, SRTM; map style © OpenTopoMap (CC-BY-SA).
The walks on the map
17 walks that start within 5 km of Rosthwaite, as Walks from Rosthwaite lists them, the ones you reach on foot first, then by bus, then by car; shortest first within each:
All 17 walks
Each filter reads the walk’s own card: how you reach the start is its lines below; effort is its band, the size of the day from the distance and the climb; length is its distance in the route pages’ length grades. One answer to each question; the map shows the same walks.
Castle Crag from Rosthwaite
6.02 km · ~254 m up · ~1½–2¼ h
Easy effort Moderate: steepness and navigation
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 21%. Navigation: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; that stretch not walked.
- On foot from the village starts by the bus stop near Rosthwaite General Store
- By bus 78 at the start
- By car park at Rosthwaite (NT, paid)
The Difficult Route up Eagle Crag
10.71 km · ~611 m up · ~3–4¼ h
Moderate effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 46%.
Starts at Stonethwaite
- On foot from the village 710 m to the start, from the bus stop opposite Longthwaite road end
- By bus 78, 710 m walk from Rosthwaite, opposite Longthwaite road end
- By car park at Stonethwaite village (roadside, free)
The Borrowdale Fells (Rosthwaite Fell round)
13.23 km · ~850 m up · ~4–5½ h
Hard effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 45%.
- On foot from the village starts by the bus stop near Rosthwaite General Store
- By bus 78 at the start
- By car park at Rosthwaite (NT, paid)
Castle Crag, Brund Fell & Great Crag
14.11 km · ~838 m up · ~4–5¾ h
Hard effort Hard: distance and steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained climb, about 31%.
- On foot from the village starts by the bus stop near Rosthwaite General Store
- By bus 78 at the start
- By car park at Rosthwaite (NT, paid)
Ullscarf, Eagle Crag & Sergeant's Crag
14.83 km · ~756 m up · ~4–5¾ h
Hard effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 45%.
Starts at Stonethwaite
- On foot from the village 430 m to the start, from the bus stop opposite Longthwaite road end
- By bus 78, 430 m walk from Rosthwaite, opposite Longthwaite road end
- By car park at Stonethwaite lane (layby) (free)
The Bowder Stone
1.16 km there and back · ~16 m up · ~¼–½ h
Easy effort Moderate: navigation
Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground.
Starts at Bowder Stone car park, Borrowdale · Out and back
- By bus 78 at the start
- By car park at Quay Foot Quarry, Borrowdale (NT, paid)
Black Star Brandreth and others
9.29 km · ~629 m up · ~2¾–4 h
Moderate effort Hard: steepness and navigation
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 33%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground.
Starts at Honister Slate Mine
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car park at Honister Pass (paid, slate mine)
Great Gable from Honister Slate Mine
9.61 km · ~721 m up · ~3–4¼ h
Moderate effort Severe: steepness and navigation
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 45%. Navigation: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet.
Starts at Honister Slate Mine
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car park at Honister (NT, paid)
Glaramara, Allen Crags via Stockley Bridge
9.74 km · ~826 m up · ~3¼–4½ h
Moderate effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 50%.
One-way: finishes 0.8 km from the start in a straight line
- By bus 78, 2.1 km walk from Seatoller, at National Trust car park
- By car start at Seathwaite Farm, Borrowdale (free verge)
Maiden Moor and High Spy
10.16 km · ~653 m up · ~3–4¼ h
Moderate effort Hard: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 32%.
Starts at Brackenburn layby, below Cat Bells
- By bus 77, 910 m walk from Brandelhow Park (outside)
- By car park at unnamed layby south-east of Cat Bells
Watendlath & the packhorse bridge
10.33 km · ~298 m up · ~2½–3½ h
Moderate effort Hard: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 27%.
Starts at Borrowdale (B5289)
- By bus 78 at the start
- By car park at Surprise View (NT) (paid)
Allen Crags & Glaramara
10.94 km · ~853 m up · ~3½–5 h
Moderate effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 49%.
Starts at Seathwaite Farm
- By bus 78, 2.2 km walk from Seatoller, at National Trust car park
- By car park at Seathwaite Farm, Borrowdale (free verge)
Haystacks
11.21 km · ~792 m up · ~3½–4¾ h
Moderate effort Hard: steepness and navigation
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 31%. Navigation: estimated from the map, not checked on the ground.
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car park at Honister Pass (paid, slate mine)
Scafell Pike via the Corridor Route
15.84 km · ~949 m up · ~4¾–6½ h
Hard effort Severe: exposure
Exposure: our judgement from the map and the route’s record; not walked yet.
Starts at Seathwaite (Borrowdale)
- By bus 78, 2.2 km walk from Seatoller, at National Trust car park
- By car park at Seathwaite Farm, Borrowdale (farm field, paid)
Seathwaite, Green Gable, Base Brown
15.85 km · ~960 m up · ~4¾–6½ h
Hard effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained climb, about 42%.
Starts at Seatoller, south-east field car park
- By bus 78, 820 m walk from Seatoller, at National Trust car park
- By car park at Seatoller, south-east field car park (paid)
Dale Head Hindscarth and Robinson
17.46 km · ~808 m up · ~4¾–6½ h
Hard effort Hard: distance and steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the distance; the steepest sustained descent, about 27%.
One-way: finishes at Keswick
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car start at Honister (NT, paid)
Honister to Keswick: over the Newlands fells
19.62 km · ~1057 m up · ~5½–7¾ h
Hard effort Severe: steepness
Measured from the GPX track: the steepest sustained descent, about 38%.
Starts at Honister Slate Mine · One-way: finishes at Keswick
- By bus 77 at the start
- By car start at Honister Pass (paid, slate mine)
The fells on the map
Verdicts for 27 October, lowest fell first:
- Castle Crag 290 m Decent
- Grange Fell (Brund Fell) 417 m Save it
- Great Crag (Stonethwaite) 449 m Decent
- Armboth Fell (Armboth Fell South Top) 475 m Marginal
- High Tove 515 m Save it
- Eagle Crag 523 m Save it
- Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot 551 m Save it
- Sergeant's Crag 571 m Save it
- Maiden Moor 575 m Save it
- High Seat 609 m Save it
- Base Brown 646 m Save it
- High Spy 653 m Save it
- Grey Knotts 697 m Save it
- Ullscarf 723 m Save it
- Hindscarth 727 m Save it
- Dale Head 754 m Save it
- Glaramara 783 m Save it
Buses and stops
The buses that call in Rosthwaite:
- The 77: seasonal, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 September 2026 to 1 November 2026; and on 15 listed dates, 7 September 2026 to 25 September 2026
- The 78
Their stops on this map:
- Bowder Stone, Grange: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 78 stop, the 77 and 78 stop
- Brandelhow Park: the 77 · stop page
- Bridge, Grange: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 77 and 78 stop, the 78 stop
- Bus Station (K), Keswick: the 77 and 78 · stop page
- Calfclose Bay, Ashness: the 78 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Cattle Grid, Hawes End: the 77 · stop page
- Cocklety How, Manesty: the 77 · stop page
- Croft Terrace, Braithwaite: the 77 · stop page
- Dalegarth Guest House, Hassness: the 77 · stop page
- Daleview Hotel, Keswick: the 78 · stop page
- Derwent Bridge, Low Portinscale: the 77 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Derwentwater Youth Hostel, Ashness: the 78 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- General Store, Rosthwaite: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 78 stop, the 77 and 78 stop
- Green Road, Swinside: the 77 · stop page
- High Hill Garage: the 77 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Hillside, Low Portinscale: the 77 · stop page
- Hotel, Borrowdale: the 78 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Howe Lane end, Rosthwaite: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 77 and 78 stop, the 78 stop
- Lodore Hotel, Borrowdale: the 78 · stop pages: one side of the road, the other side
- Longthwaite road end, Rosthwaite: the 77 and 78 · stop page
- Mountain Rescue Point, Gatesgarth: the 77 · stop page
- National Trust car park, Seatoller: the 77 and 78 · stop pages: the 77 and 78 stop, the 78 stop
- Nichol End: the 77 · stop page
- Portinscale House: the 77 · stop page
- Stonethwaite road end, Rosthwaite: the 78 · stop page
- The Daleview Hotel, Keswick: the 78 · stop page
- Village Caf, Grange: the 77 · stop page
- Visitors Centre, Whinlatter: the 77 · stop page
- Youth Hostel, Honister: the 77 · stop page
Where the buses stop, not when: the stop and route pages have the timetables.
Car parks and toilets
- Rosthwaite (NT, paid) (pay and display, National Trust) · in Parking near Rosthwaite
- Rosthwaite, south-east field car park (paid) · in Parking near Rosthwaite
- Stonethwaite lane, south-west (layby) (free) · in Parking near Rosthwaite
- Stonethwaite lane (layby) (free) · in Parking near Rosthwaite
- Castle Crag (layby) (free) · in Parking near Rosthwaite
- Stonethwaite village (roadside, free) (free) · in Parking near Rosthwaite
Toilets near those car parks:
- Rosthwaite Village (free, accessible), about 32 m from Rosthwaite (NT, paid) in a straight line
Rosthwaite at a glance
Rosthwaite is the central village of Borrowdale, about six and a half miles south of Keswick on the River Derwent — the valley's main cluster of pubs, beds and farm tea-rooms, and a natural hub for exploring a lovely stretch of the Lake District. It's still small and unspoilt (a knot of stone cottages and farms around a roche moutonnée called "the How"), but compared with its tiny neighbours it's the place with somewhere to eat, somewhere to stay and a bus — which makes it the obvious base for the heart of Borrowdale.
The walking is the draw: an almost-flat riverside stroll to Grange, the short steep classic of Castle Crag (the lowest Wainwright), the Bowder Stone, and bigger fells like Rosthwaite Fell and Glaramara behind. It's also a classic Coast-to-Coast stage, so you'll share the pubs with through-walkers.
Quick facts
| Where | Central Borrowdale, Cumbria — ~6.5 miles south of Keswick, on the River Derwent; civil parish of Borrowdale |
|---|---|
| How to say it | "ROSS-thwaite" (the -thwaite ending is Old Norse for a clearing) |
| Famous for | The valley's main village — the Royal Oak, the Flock-In tea-room, easy riverside walks and Castle Crag |
| Getting there | The B5289 up Borrowdale; the 78 Borrowdale bus from Keswick (seasonal 77/77A Honister Rambler); no station |
| Parking | A National Trust car park in the village (busy on fine days — arrive early or take the bus) |
| Dogs / weather | Very dog-friendly; a wet, green valley — check the live fell conditions before the fells |
Why visit Rosthwaite? Is it a good base?
Rosthwaite's appeal is being central and well-served in a scenic part of the valley. You're minutes from Grange, Stonethwaite and Seatoller, with easy low-level walks (the riverside to Grange, the Bowder Stone), a genuine Wainwright on the doorstep in Castle Crag, and bigger days up Rosthwaite Fell, Glaramara and the high ridge — yet you've a pub, a tea-room, beds and the bus on hand, which the smaller hamlets lack.
It's the best all-round base for Borrowdale, especially without a car. Just expect it to be busy on fine weekends, and very wet when the weather's in — this is one of the rainiest valleys in England.
Things to do
- The riverside walk to Grange — a flat, lovely stroll along the Derwent to the famous double bridge (see Walks).
- Castle Crag — the short, steep classic up the lowest Wainwright, with old quarry caves and a huge view.
- The Bowder Stone — the giant balanced boulder with its ladder, a short walk or bus-hop up the valley.
- The Flock-In tea-room — home baking at Yew Tree Farm, a working Herdwick farm — a Borrowdale institution after a walk.
- Watendlath — the hidden hamlet and tarn, reached on the old packhorse-bridge path over the fell.
Walks & fells from Rosthwaite
From gentle to grand:
- Easiest: the flat riverside path to Grange-in-Borrowdale, and the Bowder Stone Planned, which is in our easy & family walks.
- Castle Crag — the lowest of the 214 Wainwrights, a short steep climb via the slate-quarry caves.
- Rosthwaite Fell / Bessyboot — yes, a Wainwright: his summit is Bessyboot (550 m), though the fell's true high point is the rockier Rosthwaite Cam (612 m) a little beyond. Plus Glaramara and Great Crag.
- The high ridge: Maiden Moor, High Spy and Dale Head, linked on our Catbells–Maiden Moor–High Spy route Walked May 2026.
Check the live "Best Fells today" conditions before you set off. Explore Rosthwaite, above, lists the fells on its map.
The walks from Rosthwaite are in Explore Rosthwaite above, on one map and in a list you can filter by how you reach the start.
Places nearby: Borrowdale · Stonethwaite · Seatoller · Galleny Force
Where to stay
Rosthwaite has more choice than its tiny neighbours. The Royal Oak is the well-loved village pub with rooms — recently refurbished, family- and dog-friendly, with everything from classic doubles to budget bunk rooms; Hazel Bank Country House is a smarter option just above the village, with Nook Cottage and a number of B&Bs and self-catering cottages (many dog-friendly) around. Borrowdale YHA is nearby down the valley.
Note the Scafell Hotel, long a village landmark, closed in January 2024 and has since been sold to a Manchester investment company who intend to restore and reopen it — so it is not currently trading. Worth re-checking before you rely on it.
Food & drink
The Royal Oak is the hub for pub meals and a pint, and the Flock-In tea-room at Yew Tree Farm is the spot for home baking and a brew after a walk (it's a working Herdwick farm). Hazel Bank offers dinner too. There's a small village shop for basics, but for the full range head to Keswick. (The Scafell Hotel is closed — see above.)
Getting there & parking
Without a car: The nearest stations as the crow flies are Windermere (22 km away) and Drigg (25 km away); the 77 and 78 stop at Rosthwaite General Store (near), 0.1 km from here in a straight line. The 77 runs until 1 November 2026, the last day of its season. The bus map has every stop we hold.
Rosthwaite is about six and a half miles south of Keswick on the B5289 up Borrowdale. There's no railway station; the easiest car-free way is the 78 Borrowdale bus from Keswick (with the seasonal open-top 77/77A Honister Rambler), which stops in the village.
Parking, toilets and buses: Parking near Rosthwaite
Parking near Rosthwaite
Toilets, food and shops near these car parks
Cafes: The Flock-in (opens in new tab), Peathouse Tea & Coffee Shop (opens in new tab)
All the car parks around Rosthwaite on the parking map →
Straight-line distances from the centre of Rosthwaite. We publish whether a car park charges, and who runs it, but never the price — tariffs change and a stale one is worse than none, so check the sign or the operator’s own site on the day.
Vehicles are left entirely at their owner’s risk. We list places people park; we cannot vouch for any of them. Judge it on the day: take valuables with you, leave nothing on show, and if a spot feels wrong when you get there, park somewhere else.
Can you stay overnight?
- Rosthwaite (NT, paid) — run by National Trust, which does not permit overnight parking. “We don't allow overnight parking due to the impact on nature and wildlife, staff resource and visitors.” (checked 2026-08-05)
These are the land managers’ and the council’s own published rules, quoted. Where a car park is not listed here we have found no published rule for it, which is not the same as permission.
Getting there across the Lake District: Buses · Parking map · By train · By boat
Practical & nearby
It's excellent dog-walking country, with toilets and a small shop in the village. Easy outings from Rosthwaite take in Grange-in-Borrowdale (a mile down the river), Stonethwaite (half a mile), Seatoller and Honister, the Bowder Stone, Watendlath, and Keswick and Derwentwater down the valley.
Frequently asked questions about Rosthwaite
What is Rosthwaite known for?
What's the easiest walk from Rosthwaite?
Are there pubs in Rosthwaite?
Is the Scafell Hotel open, and who owns it?
Is Rosthwaite Fell a Wainwright?
How do you pronounce Rosthwaite?
What mountains are near Rosthwaite?
How do you get to Rosthwaite?
Sources: Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire (opens in new tab)
Events across the Lake District
Planning a trip around a show or festival? See our Lake District events & festivals guide for what's on near Rosthwaite — traditional Lakeland sports, agricultural shows and seasonal events, month by month.