Route: Crummock Water and Buttermere
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 6th February 2020
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 4.5 miles
Ascent: 500 feet
Weather: Sun and blue skies
Grey skies were forecast today, so I hadn’t planned to go for a walk. By late morning it was clear that the forecasters had got it wrong – sunshine and blue skies appeared, causing me to lace up my walking boots as fast as I could. I decided to follow a route which I’d been saving for a day such as this, one which I’ve not walked before, nor have I seen in any of the walking books. Whilst studying the OS map a couple of weeks ago, I’d noticed that it would be possible to create a circular route linking the head of Crummock Water with the foot of Buttermere. A visit to two of the most beautiful lakes in the district would be a perfect choice today
I parked in one of the roadside spaces at the head of Crummock Water, although this walk could just as conveniently be started from Buttermere village. I walked along the grassy headland, crossing a footbridge over Mill Beck and then walked round a small wooded hill known as Nether How. Crummock Water was looking as lovely as ever and it was with some reluctance that I turned my back on it to head towards Buttermere. I followed a path beside Mill Beck into Buttermere village and joined the path to the foot of the lake, one which I’ve trodden many times
On reaching the foot of Buttermere I followed a path to the other side and walked through Wilkinsyke Farm back into the village. I only had to follow the road for a few yards before turning off opposite the Bridge Hotel to follow a narrow path through Ghyll Wood, with Mill Beck below on my right. I climbed up to Grassgarth Coppice and joined a path which I’d walked two days ago when descending from Rannerdale Knotts. Just as I was about to head downhill to the end of the walk, I noticed two figures approaching, and they looked familiar. Yesterday, while walking in Langdale, I’d stuck up conversation with two charming fellow walkers, John and Yvonne, and we chatted for 10 minutes or so before going our separate ways. The figures in question were John and Yvonne again – what an amazing coincidence. After another enjoyable chat we parted company, wondering if we’d bump into each other again tomorrow
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
Beauty at the very start of the walk - looking across Crummock Water to Scale Knott at the foot of Mellbreak
Woodhouse Islands, and Scale Island beyond
Woodhouse Islands again...
Time to stop gazing and to start walking...
I cross this footbridge over an unnamed beck
Scale Knott again
I continue along the lakeshore
I cross another footbridge, this time over Mill Beck. Fleetwith Pike is in the distance
Holme Islands...
Just beyond these trees the lakeshore path ends, and it's time to head towards Buttermere
Looking back to Crummock Water and Holme Islands
Fleetwith Pike at the head of Buttermere, which is unseen from here
A view back to Mellbreak
I follow Mill Beck into Buttermere village
For anyone following this route, a cafe and two pubs are pleased to serve hungry and thirsty walkers
This section of the walk may be busy at peak times - it's the start of the classic circuit of Buttermere. Today there were no issues, despite the wonderful weather
I follow the path to the foot of the lake
Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks at the head of Buttermere
I arrive at the foot of Buttermere, here looking towards Fleetwith Pike
The lake is as calm as a millpond today
Haystacks at the head of the lake
Having walked across the foot of Buttermere, I head towards the village - a last look back to the lake, with Haystacks dominating the scene
I make a short detour to St James' Church to revisit the memorial tablet in memory of Alfred Wainwright...
...and lift my eyes to Haystacks his favourite place
Having walked back into the village I walk beside Mill Beck through Ghyll Wood - this section of the walk involves a modest climb but it's worth the effort
I leave the path out of Ghyll Wood, here looking back to Buttermere
Another view back over Buttermere, with Haystacks in the centre
I head back towards Crummock Water - various grassy paths criss cross each other around here, and the key to navigation is to keep above the woodland areas
I walk above Grassgarth Coppice...
Scale Knott on the far side of Crummock Water
The path takes me above Great Wood
Looking across to Wood House near the head of Crummock Water
Herdwick sheep, Wood House and Haystacks
I descend to the head of Crummock Water - the end of the walk is by the stand of pine trees ahead
A final glance across to Crummock Water at the end of the walk
