Route: Scale Force
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 8th March 2017
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 6.4 miles
Weather: sunshine and blue skies
Scale Force is the highest waterfall in the Lake District, with a single drop of 170 feet and two others of 20 feet, which makes it well worth a visit. It is hidden away in a deep tree-lined gorge on the way from Crummock Water to Red Pike on land owned by the National Trust. I decided to approach it from Buttermere and parked in the National Trust car park, which was almost full. I guessed that most people would be walking round Buttermere and this proved to be the case – I didn’t see another soul once I’d left the village
The path from Scale Bridge leading past the head of Crummock Water is juicy at the best of times. Today it was absolutely sodden following recent heavy rainfall and forward progress involved much hopping from rock to rock. Eventually I reached Scale Knott, the big toe of Mellbreak, and made the short climb up the valley to Scale Force, which was on good form. Unlike Aira Force, the full drop isn’t seen particularly well and the fall itself is very narrow but it was a great sight all the same
I started the return journey along a higher level path which joined up with the outward one near the head of Crummock Water. I then followed the course of Buttermere Dubs to the foot of Buttermere and from there back to the start
It was a really enjoyable walk in outstanding scenery, enhanced by sun and blue skies all the way
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
Spring in the garden yesterday…
Next day, one of four red squirrels
…and a young rabbit
Later that morning, the pedestrian exit from the Long How car park just outside Buttermere
Long How
Mill Beck
Crummock Water and Mellbreak seen after crossing Mill Beck
Buttermere village
I follow the path out of the village to Scale Bridge
A swan in Buttermere Dubs
Scale Bridge
Looking across the Dubs to Buttermere village
Scale Knott and Mellbreak ahead…
I pass by an old sheepfold near the head of Crummock Water
A view back to Fleetwith Pike
Scale Knott at the foot of Mellbreak
Frogspawn in one of the many small pools along the way
Crummock Water
Scale Island, at which point I leave the lakeshore to climb up to Scale Force
I head up the valley between Scale Knott and Blea Crag
I cross the footbridge over Scale Beck and the waterfall is ahead
Scale Force…
Start of the return journey along the higher level path above Crummock Water
Crummock Water again
Herdies
There are good views of Fleetwith Pike for much of the way…
I pass by Scale Bridge, this time without crossing it, and continue beside Buttermere Dubs
Sour Milk Gill
I walk along the head of Buttermere…
Burtness Wood
Haystacks
Blossom lining the path back to Buttermere village
Looking back to Sour Milk Gill…
I pass by Cragg House Farm at the end of a wonderful walk
