Northern England: Derwent Water, Cumbria

Distance: 4km/2.25 miles
Time: 2.5hrs
Type: Lake and Island swimhike
Where: Circular swimhike from Keswick to Lord’s Island and Rampsholme Island and Rampsholme Island
Start/End: Theatre by the Lake, Lakeside, nr Keswick (NY264228)
Terrain: Derwent Water presents all the hazards of open-water swimming. Not recommended in poor visibility or if swimming into a headwind. When not swimming in summer, you will require a full wetsuit. Mainland sections have excellent paths throughout; islands are pathless woodland with occasional undergrowth.
Maps: OS Explorer OL4; Landranger 89,90

The walking sections are a mix of woodland and fields with two notable viewpoints en route, including the rugged Friar’s Crag. There’s also an interesting piece of public art to discover. However, much of this route involves not walking but swimming between two of Derwent Water’s islands, offering spectacular views down the centre of the lake to the surrounding fells. The smaller Rampsholme Island looks wonderful as you approach it, but is somewhat less appealing when you actually get there. As with any swimhike, it is essential to have some form of a waterproofed swimsac to carry your clothes. This can be self-assembled using a roll top drybag inside a rucksack. The rucksack should have both a chest strap, a waist strap and side pockets. Place small inflatables, such as a child’s armband, in the sidepockets. Before entering the water, place your shoes and clothes in the drybag and strap the outer rucksack beneath your shoulders.

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