We'll be in Keswick in mid-October for a few days/nights and are looking to plan a few 3- or 4-hour walks. Any insights to share with us as to which routes we should focus on, and which to avoid? Thanks in advance for your input.

The problem in getting specific recommendations is continued closures due to Foot & Mouth. You may want to take a look at the daily guided walks offered by Keswick Rambles: <BR>http://www.keswickrambles.ic24.net/

The following URL will supply lots of interesting info on Keswick area. One place i enjoyed was the Teapottery, a working pottery and shop. Great souvenir of the area. <BR> <BR>http://englandnw.about.com/cs/cumbria/index.htm

take the bus into Borrowdale valley and do a walk there - one of the most stunning valleys in the Lake district. <BR> <BR>Another good walk is to get the boat across Derwentwater and go up 'Cat bells' (the hump-backed hill you can see across the Lake from Keswick). The views from Cat bells back towards Kewsick are amazing and so are the views of the Newlands valley, he other side of Cat Bells. <BR>

Sorry, but I'm not a hiker. However, I would like to suggest Castlerigg Stone Circle, It is just east a few miles and well worth a visit.

Another good walk is to go up the path near Rosthwaite in Borrowdale valley and over the hill to Watendlath Tarn, which can be combined with a visit to the Bowder Stone in a circular tea-shop /pub crawl!

Thanks everyone for the info. <BR> <BR>I've just visited a few Cumbria websites, and have read up on the Foot and Mouth situation. The maps showing the "infected areas" is quite alarming---the Lake Region appears to be very impacted by recent outbreaks. <BR> <BR>Anyway, I'm hoping much of that will clear by mid October, when we visit. I did notice that many trails/paths are officially opened, and that's good news. Not so good news: there are some 140 "pyres" in the district, with ash removal pending. The thought off all that is not a happy one. <BR> <BR>Any local insights on exactly how bad things are? And what the "forecast" might be for the next month or two? <BR>Thanks, <BR>Ando.