Route: Circuit of Crummock Water
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 15th September 2020
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 8.4 miles
Ascent: 800 feet
Weather: Grey at first, sunny later, very warm
It’s been a couple of years since I last walked around Crummock Water and a return visit was overdue. It’s a longer circuit than that of neighbouring Buttermere, but it’s much quieter and a good choice in the holiday season
I parked as usual in the National Trust car park at Scale Hill and followed the wide track through Lanthwaite Wood to the foot of the lake. There were only one or two other people about, as I’d made an early start. I set off in an anti-clockwise direction as the views down the lake are more extensive in that direction
After reaching the foot of the lake I followed the easy lakeshore path which turns towards Mellbreak and then follows its eastern foot. This section is normally very boggy, and today was no exception. When I reached Scale Bridge I crossed over the beck and followed the path into Buttermere village. Beyond the village there’s a short road section and to minimise contact with tarmac I took the path over Hause Point below Rannerdale Knotts. This brought me down to the Buttermere road again. I could have avoided the road again by diverting into Rannerdale and taking the path to Cinderdale Common, but decided instead to carry on along the road
At Cinderdale Common I turned off the road to join a path leading down to the eastern shore of Crummock Water which I followed back to the foot of the lake, and from here I retraced my steps along the track back to the start
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
Earlier in the week, some lovely light on Lanthwaite Green - Crummock Water is out of picture to the right
The start of today's walk as I leave the car park at Scale Hill and follow the track through Lanthwaite Wood
After five minutes or so I arrive at the foot of Crummock Water - blinding white light made it impossible to take photos directly to the head of the lake
I cross the bridge over the weir where The River Cocker starts its journey
I follow the path anti-clockwise around the shore of the lake
Looking across to the boathouse on the far shore
I pass around the Peel, a grassy mound at the foot of Mellbreak...
I head to the foot of Mellbreak
A stony beach beyond the Peel
View to the head of Crummock Water
High Ling Crag
Looking across to Rannerdale
A wider view, showing Grasmoor, Wandope, Whiteless Pike and Rannerdale Knotts
I cross the footbridge over Scale Beck
The terrain along this section of the walk is very boggy at the best of times
A view back as I approach the head of Crummock Water
Grasmoor
Scale Island...
Looking back to Mellbreak
Whiteless Pike on my left
Buttermere Dubs
Mellbreak
Fleetwith Pike, which is at the head of Buttermere, unseen from here...
Looking across Buttermere Dubs to Buttermere village
I cross Buttermere Dubs via Scale Bridge
Haystacks below the clouds
The wide path leads into Buttermere village
Beyond the village there's a road section
Beyond this corner I leave the road at a sign for Buttermere Hause
There follows an easy climb up a grassy slope
Looking back to Wood House, set in a wonderful position
High Ling Crag on the other side of Crummock Water
I reach the hause, which enjoys a good view along Crummock Water to Low Fell
I descend from the hause to the Buttermere road
The short road section may be avoided by a detour into Rannerdale, but I carry on
Whiteless Pike on my right
At Cinderdale Common I leave the road and follow a path down to the lakeshore
Low Fell beyond the foot of the lake
I follow a path through High Wood and Lanthwaite Wood
The circuit is complete as I arrive back at the foot of Crummock Water - from here I retrace my steps along the track back to the car park
