If it's great views of lake and mountains you are after - without the struggle of a strenuous uphill climb - then Cat Bells Terrace is a good choice. The road takes you to about 50m vertical height above the western shores of Derwent Water. From here the whole of the lake stretches out before you with Castlerigg Fell, Bleaberry Fell and High Seat over to the east and the busy market town of Keswick nestled in beyond the northern shores of the lake.

It's one of those places from which you can do a little feature spotting. Just in front of you is St Herbert's Island, site of the saint's famous Hermitage. In Beatrix Potter's Tale of Squirrel Nutkin, squirrels can be seen paddling across Derwent Water to St Herbert's Island. Beyond is Rampsholm Island and to the north is Derwent Isle. Over on the far shore to the south you can easily pick out Lowcrag Wood and the craggy outcrop that makes up Surprise View, which is close to the famous Ashness Bridge.

Route The route starts 5km south west of Keswick at Skelgill car park (1) (GR 248212). Walk back along the road for about 30 metres and head right along the road for another 40m. Avoid the first path which is the main route to the top of Cat Bells. Instead, take the second path (2) on the right hand side of the road. The path runs above and parallel to the road.

The path has recently been completely restored by the National Trust with some funding from the Lake District Tourism and Conservation Partnership. It is made of compacted granite aggregate and is in very good condition. The first section of the path rises at a moderate incline for about 40m and is really the only hard bit on the route. After this the path levels out for about 400m before sloping down to a small car park by the side of the road (3). From here the path rises again on a varying gentle-to-moderate incline before levelling off again. After about 400m the surfaced path ends (4) next to a memorial stone to a former Keswick resident, Sir Hugh Walpole, who wrote the famous Rogue Herries - a fictitious saga about a Lake District family (3). Rising above Manesty Park, this is a great place to take in the views and do some feature spotting.

Beyond the Memorial is a bridleway and footpath which eventually drops down to Manesty Park. This extension to the route is unusable for wheelchair users. Only condsider it with an off-road push chair if you're feeling really adventurous.

The walk This walk is taken from a collection of more than 20 routes in the Lake District National Park that have been earmarked and maintained by the Lake District National Park Authority and are suitable for people with limited mobility. The routes, which have been checked by park rangers, are described in a special booklet Countryside Access For People With Limited Mobility, available from Tourist Information Centres. The routes are also covered on the authority's website: www.lake-district.gov.uk This route is maintained and cared for by the National Trust, a charity that oversees some 25 per cent of the Lake District National Park. The National Trust and the Lake District National Park Authority work closely together in the Lake District, sharing common interests and complementary objectives. You can get more information by calling 015394-35599 or 0870-4584000 or visiting www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Information:

Overview: Wide flat path.

Distance: 1km linear path (2km return to car park).

Time: 1 - 2 hours Map Ref: Outdoor Leisure 4: The English Lakes North Western Area. Start point GR248212.

Parking: Skelgill Car Park Gradients: Mostly flat, with gentle to moderate inclines in places.

Refreshments: Bring your own or nearest is in Portinscale Toilets: None near the route.

Public transport: Timetable: No. 77A (Honister Rambler) from Keswick to Cat Bells and then No 77 to return to Keswick - four times a day from Easter to October. Getting Around Cumbria and Lake District Timetable contains all bus, train and boat services in the national park. Available from all TICs and National Park Centres. Alternatively call Traveline on 0870-608-2608.