Recommended Map - Ordnance Survey Maps - Outdoor Leisure Map 4 - North Western Area (1:25,000)
Start and End Point – Fish Hotel Car Park, Buttermere
Distance 12.2 kilometres (7.58 miles)
Distance including gradient 14.1 kilometres (8.76 miles)
Time - Approx 5-6 hours
Maximum Height Achieved - 807 metres, (2648 feet)
Total Ascent - 947 metres (3107 feet)
Accommodation – various hotels, pubs, camping and private accomodation in the area. See the accomodation section in the links page
Buttermere is a quiet village deep in the heart of the north western Lake District. It lies between Crummock Water and Buttermere and is blessed with a variety of great walks for all abilities. Away from the crowds, the car parks nevertheless become congested quickly. If you want to guarantee a decent place to park - get there early!
The walk described below is a wonderful walk around the fells of Buttermere. The views from the top are spectacular and plentiful offering the Scafells and Great Gable, right round to the hills of Scotland on clear days. I've started the route with the ascent of Dodd and Red Pike first. This is because the ascent is steep and much more preferable than descending that way, especially in the wet, when the stone path can become treacherous. Overall, the route is dry and well marked - but care is needed in the mist to avoid descending High Stile rather than progressing on to High Crag.
The walk can be extended if required with the inclusion of Haystacks and/or Fleetwith Pike. The nice part is that there are quite a few 'off's' along the way which allows for decisions to be changed depending on your mood, fitness and the weather.
The walk starts from the car park to the rear of the Fish Hotel. It's a well organised place with toilet facilities. Take change to pay if you wish to depart earlier than 9am, as the attendant is usually not in place by then. The car park has a strict capacity and is full very quickly, especially on popular weekends. There is other off-road parking close by. Another option would be to drive to the car park at Gatesgarth and start the route from there first, round the lake and then picking up the ascent to Red Pike.
This walk starts off from the Fish Hotel Car Park, Buttermere.
Leave the car park via the main entrance, round the Hotel and pick up the track on your right. The path passes on the other side of the Hotel and heads down towards the Lake. The track turns left and is gated. Go through and head right near the Lake. Cross the bridge and you will see the stone stepped path directly in front of you, rising immediately through the trees.
It's relentless from here on. Upwards at the same steady angle, cutting a diagonal through the trees. The shade is welcome on hotter days, but prevents the path from drying quickly when wet. It's a maintained path, but by no means well stepped. Quite often its steep and sloping under foot. After approximately 500 metres of ascent, the path emerges from the trees and you reach a gated fence. Go through it and continue on the path. The view is no longer hidden by trees and it's apparent just how quickly you have climbed with the view back down to Buttermere. There are very few changes in gradient as you progress onwards and upwards. Eventually the path reaches Sourmilk Gill and bends to the left, levelling somewhat. With Dodd now on your right, on the other side of Sourmilk Gill, the aptly named Red Pike and High Stile now occupy the horizon in front of you. The short distance to Bleaberry Tarn can get a little muddy but it is quickly negotiated.
At Bleaberry Tarn, head right following the path up to The Saddle between Red Pike and Dodd. If anything the path becomes even steeper in places, but still well maintained. Dodd is well worth the short hike up, simply for the view.
From Dodd, head South West along the path. The stone steps make way for red scree along The Saddle which is not to bad underfoot. It is a steep ascent at times but nothing too bad. You may need your hands on the rocky ascent, just before the summit of Red Pike.
The views here are superb. You can easily see the Scottish hills on clear days to the north. The Ennerdale valley and the Irish Sea are also on offer, together with Englands highest fells to the south. The very recognisable Great Gable is clearly visible with Kirk Fell, Pillar, Steeple and Scoat Fell on the other side of the Ennerdale valley.
From the summit at Red Pike, head south east to High Stile. It's relatively straight forward, keeping Chapel Crags below to your left. You do reach the first crags of High Stile after approximately 1 kilometre. To get to the summit, you need to branch left heading north west. Be careful here, as a common mistake, especially in mist, is to keep going straight on and off High Stile, directly back down to Buttermere. At the second summit, you need to almost double back on yourself, heading south, keeping the drop of Eagle Crag to your left, as you gradually turn the corner heading south east towards the goal of High Crag.
The views off this wide ridge are excellent. To the left, over Comb Crags the view back to High Stile is spectacular. To the right, the impressive peaks of the Mosedale Horseshoe stand tall. Ahead the high fells of Great Gable and the Scafells are clearly visible.
Eventually, High Crag is reached and the first view of Seat, below is visible. You can make the choice here to cut the walk short and drop down to Buttermere around High Crag if you wish, although the relatively straightforward Seat is not too much extra effort to bag.
The drop down from High Crag begins with a rocky section, followed by a scree zig-zag path. Care is needed to avoid slipping. The scree gives way to stone steps and the plateau between High crag and Seat is reached. Seat is just a quick hike away up a very easy incline. Dont forget to take a look back to High Crag. It's a popular crag for c limbers and you can often see several at various stages of the climb.
From Seat, again you have a choice. If you fancy extending the walk, then Haystacks and possibly Fleetwith Pike can be added. We chose to head back down to Buttermere, on this extremely warm summer day in Cumbria. The path down is gentle and straightforward taking you right to the edge of the Lake. From here it is a very pleasant stroll back to the car park along the lake shore path. Along the way you cross the bridge over the Comb Beck waterfalls before entering the cool shade of Burtness Wood. As you reach the end of the Lake, you join up with the path back to Buttermere.
At Buttermere you then have a choice of refreshents from the tea rooms, Wilkinsyke Farm shop (excellent ice creams) and The Fish Hotel.
If you have time, an excellent stop-off on the way home is the Bowder Stone in the Borrowdale Valley (signposted). Head from Buttermere, along Honister pass to Keswick to get there. The Honister Slate Mine vistors centre is also well worth a visit, and can be found at the head of Honister pass, along the way to the Bowder Stone.
This walk and pictures are protected by copyright©. Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited without the prior permission of the author. If you wish to use this document, then contact me. I would also like to hear your comments and thoughts. If you use this document for your walk please give me feedback (good or bad). If you have very good quality photographs and a good narrative and want them on these pages, contact me also.
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Author - Antony Towers – 19th July 2006. I hope you enjoy this walk either virtually or in reality as much as I did but please remember that your safety is your responsibility. Always use a map, compass and be equipped for the conditions. Conditions can change very quickly, even at low levels. Check the weather conditions before setting off and always be prepared for Mother Nature.
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