Route: Circuit of Buttermere
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 17th November 2015
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 5.1 miles
Ascent: 400 feet
Weather: Very dull, some light rain
Yet another poor weather day was forecast today, with more heavy rain due late morning to add to the already overflowing rivers and lakes in the district. This gave me enough time for one of my favourite short local walks – the circuit of Buttermere
As usual I parked in the National Trust car park just outside Buttermere village and as usual I set off round the lake in an anti-clockwise direction. I’m not sure if this is out of habit, or because the views towards Warnscale Bottom are best seen going this way
The weather was not on my side today – a uniform flat dull light, accompanied by some light rain as I reached the head of the lake. Buttermere however manages to rise above that, its beauty shines through in all weathers and the walk was as enjoyable as ever
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
Red squirrel in the garden before I set off this morning
Just before reaching Buttermere I stopped the car to take this photo of Haystacks above Crummock Water
I pass by Crag Houses at the start of the walk
I follow a couple of the locals into Buttermere village
Crossing Mill Beck, which runs through the village and out into Crummock Water
Sourmilk Gill
Buttermere and Burtness Wood ahead
Fleetwith Pike at the head of the lake
Zooming in to Warnscale Bottom
I cross the bridge over Buttermere Dubs
Water levels are still high after yesterday’s floods
Sourmilk Gill again
The lakeshore path is a popular one but I didn’t see another soul until I reached the head of the lake
Gatesgarth
Green Crag
Approaching the head of the lake
Looking along Warnscale Beck
I cross the footbridge and walk towards Gatesgarth Farm
A kestrel was hunting around the beck
Looking up to Fleetwith Pike and the Honister Pass before I turn away to walk along the other side of the lake
A short road section before the path appears
Looking back
Into the tunnel…
…and out
Zooming in across the lake to Sourmilk Gill
Whiteless Pike
Buttermere village ahead
I walk back into the village through Wilkinsyke Farm
A short detour at the end of the walk to St James Church in order to pay my respects to the great man
Back home, a red squirrel
