Walk 1142 - printer friendly version

Buttermere Circular Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 4.5 miles / 7.3 km

Ascent - 100 feet / 30 metres

Grade - easy

Start - OS grid reference NY173169
Lat 54.540582 + Long -3.2797689
Postcode CA13 9UZ (approx. location only)

With virtually no ascent on the 4.5 mile circuit, this is an ideal Lake District walk for those who wish to spend some time among the mountains yet not expend too much energy! After some overnight snow and storm force winds on the fells, we opted to stay at low level. Starting from the small car park (grid ref. NY 173169) alongside the Fish Hotel, we set off along the south-western shore of this beautifully situated lake, taking time to admire the wonderful mountain vistas all around us.

On the outward leg towards Warnscale Bottom Fleetwith Pike dominated the scene ahead with Hay Stacks looking an interesting mass of craggy outcrops. To our left the crags of Littledale Edge, linking Dale Head with Robinson, looked wonderful with patches of snow adding interest to the fellside. On our right the high mountains of the High Stile ridge soared upwards whilst behind us the upland mass of Grasmoor and the instantly recognisable shape of Mellbreak completed the picture.

Crossing Peggy's bridge we made for Gatescarth farm (parking is available here) to reach the road coming down from Honister Pass. After a short section of tarmac, we were back on the lakeside path, able to concentrate on Mellbreak and the depths of Burtness Combe high on the slopes of High Stile. All too soon we were back in Buttermere after an easy but scenic two hour stroll around the lake.

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