Route: Derwent Water to Buttermere
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 12th July 2017
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 8.9 miles
Ascent: 3,400 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny
Looking at the OS map for a new route, it occurred to me that a journey from Derwent Water to Buttermere would be a very satisfying walk, linking two of Lakeland’s most beautiful lakes via a high level traverse. I’ve not heard of this walk being done before, although no doubt it has. The route which I plotted involves climbing six Wainwright fells: (in order of appearance) Causey Pike, Sail Fell, Scar Crags, Eel Crag, Wandope and Whiteless Pike. I’ve been up these fells several times before but never in this combination
As this is a linear walk, thought has to be given as to transportation and in my case Gilly’s taxis offered a solution. We drove together to Hawse End and walked down to the shore of Derwent Water. After dipping my boots in the lake I said goodbye to Gilly and set out on the walk to Buttermere. The first section of the walk crossed Newlands valley and was a joy every step of the way, although there was a potential snag when I arrived at Newlands Beck. The bridge over the beck had been washed away in the 2015 floods and, unbeknown to me, not yet replaced. Fortunately there were some rocks nearby which provided a crossing, though it was a precarious one and I’d recommend anyone following this route to proceed to the foot of Causey Pike via Stair, rather than risking a dunking in the beck
Having crossed the beck, the collar work soon began as I commenced the climb up Rowling End, followed by the mild scramble to the top of Causey Pike – hands are needed on the final section but there are no difficulties. There then followed several downs and ups as I ticked off the next five fells along the route. At last I arrived at the last one, Whiteless Pike, and from there descended into Buttermere village where I was re-united with Gilly. We walked together to the shore of Buttermere and I dipped my toes in the water at the edge to complete a wonderful walk from lake to lake
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Red squirrel before we set off to Derwent Water
Hawse End jetty at the start of the walk from lake to lake
As I approach Skelgill my first objectives, Rowling End and Causey Pike, come into view
Walking across Newlands Valley...
Rowling End
Hindscarth at the head of the valley
I follow the path towards Rowling End Farm
Ahead is Newlands Beck and the missing bridge - I managed to cross the beck though not without difficulty
Safely across, I start the climb up Rowling End, here looking towards Skiddaw
Catbells across the valley
Newlands Valley
Looking back to Derwent Water...
...and to Skiddaw
The distinctive knobbly top of Causey Pike
Maiden Moor, Hindscarth and Robinson
Looking back along Rowling End to Derwent Water
The final section to the summit involves some handwork, but it's an enjoyable clamber
A view along the ridge from the summit of Causey Pike
Ard Crags
Zooming in on Derwent Water
Blencathra
Newlands Valley
I follow the line of the ridge towards Sail and Eel Crags
Aikin Knott on my left
...and Force Crag Mine on my right
Cairn on Scar Crags
Looking towards the controversial path up to Sail
On a positive note, the fellside is completely featureless and the zigzags facilitate what would otherwise be a steep trudge
Numerous fells, including Great Gable on the right
First glimpse of Buttermere along the valley
The insignificant summit cairn on Sail, here looking towards the Solway Firth and Scotland
Zooming in on the Solway Firth beyond Whiteside
I continue along the ridge towards my next objective, Eel Crag
Grisedale Pike
Summit of Eel Crag, with the Solway Firth in the distance
Grasmoor from Eel Crag
I follow a wonderful path along the edge of Addacombe Hole towards the penultimate summit, Wandope
Summit of Wandope
Looking down to Crummock Water
A down and an up to the final summit on the route - Whiteless Pike
Buttermere from Whiteless Pike
My destination - the foot of Buttermere
Looking across to Crummock Water, Loweswater and Scotland beyond
Haystacks ahead as I descend to Buttermere
I follow the grassy slopes towards the village
Rannerdale Knotts
Sourmilk Gill flowing into Buttermere
Foot of High Stile
Haystacks, with Great Gable behind it
Sourmilk Gill again
I arrive in Buttermere village and follow the path past the cottages
Path to the lake, and Fleetwith Pike in the background
Journey's end - Buttermere. What a wonderful walk
