Route: Circuit of Buttermere
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 19th October 2022
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.1 miles
Ascent: 400 feet
Weather: Mixed sun and clouds, strong winds
The weather forecast was a poor one, but offered a glimmer of hope early in the morning before rain was forecast to sweep in. There was no point planning a high level route in view of a very strong wind, so I decided to revisit what is possibly my favourite low level walk
The classic circuit of Buttermere appears over 20 times on this site and is one of the loveliest walks in the Lake District. The beauty and accessibility of the walk is both a virtue and a problem in that the path can be too busy at peak times and, if you prefer to walk in relative solitude, then it’s best to choose a quiet day and time. Thanks to an early start, and the time of year, I only passed by a few other walkers during the course of two hours
I parked as usual in the National Trust car park at Long How. I walked through Buttermere village, passing by the Buttermere Court Hotel, and followed the path to the foot of the lake. I always walk around Buttermere in an anti-clockwise direction in order to keep the best views ahead. After crossing the footbridge over Buttermere Dubs I set off along the lakeshore path which leads to the head of Buttermere
After crossing Peggy’s Bridge and passing by Gatesgarth Farm I started the return leg along the other shore, passing through the rock tunnel near Hassness along the way. I continued along the shoreline path and, where it forks off to the foot of the lake, carried on ahead. This brought me back into Buttermere village, to end another wonderful circuit of the lake
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
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
The start of the walk as I pass by Cragg House Farm, with the High Stile Range in the background
After turning right at the Bridge Hotel, I follow the path to the foot of Buttermere
The lake comes into sight
Sourmilk Gill ahead
I cross the footbridge over Buttermere Dubs and turn left
Start of the lakeside path
Looking across the foot of Buttermere
High Snockrigg
The path takes me through Burtness Wood
At a junction I keep to the shoreline path
Looking across to Hassness...
The Honister Pass and Fleetwith Pike
I follow the path to the head of the lake
Looking back along the path
The 'White Hut' bothy at the head of Buttermere
Warnscale Beck from Peggy's Bridge
An easy track across the head of Buttermere leads to Gatesgarth Farm...
Haystacks
Beyond Gatesgarth there follows a short section along the Buttermere road...
Herdwick sheep at the head of the lake
High Crag
I leave the road to join the lakeshore path...
High Crag again
Shingle beach at Hassness, with High Stile in the background
Hassness Crag Wood
Buttermere pine displaying its view
Entering the tunnel, made by a former owner of Hasness Estate so that he didn’t need to stray too far from the shore. A torch isn't needed but if you're over six feet tall mind your head
Leaving the tunnel
Sweet chestnut
Trees in Pike Rigg
Buttermere village comes into view, with Mellbreak in the background
I pass through Wilkinsyke Farm at the edge of the village and from here it's a short stroll back to the start
Later that day, flocks of redwing and fieldfare feasting on rowan berries
