Route: Circuit of Buttermere
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 27th February 2026
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.1 miles
Ascent: 400 feet
Weather: Mostly sunny
After two days of non-stop torrential rain, it was a relief to wake to clearer skies. We decided to visit Buttermere again, a place which we could never tire of and one which is relatively quiet at this time of year
We parked as usual in the National Trust car park at Long How and walked through Buttermere village, passing by the Buttermere Court Hotel (formerly The Fish). We followed the path to the foot of the lake and set off around Buttermere in an anti-clockwise direction in order to keep the best views ahead. Lake levels were extremely high, higher than I can recall, and many of the trees along the foot of the lake were partially submerged. We passed by the waterfall in Sourmilk Gill which was on good form
We continued along the lakeshore path and just beyond the head of Buttermere we turned left to begin the return leg. We crossed Peggy’s Bridge from which there are lovely views looking both ways along Warnscale Beck. After passing through Gatesgarth Farm there followed a short road section before we joined the lakeshore path to the stony beach at Hassness. Beyond Hassness the paths were flooded in parts and at one section the path was under about 2 feet of water. Gilly clambered across some rocks while I waded through and emerged with a bootful of water. Beyond this point we passed through the short rock tunnel (a torch isn’t needed, but keep your head down if you’re tall). From here we walked back into Buttermere village to end a classic circuit, one of the best low level walks in the country
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)
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The start of the walk as we pass by Cragg House Farm at the edge of Buttermere village
Waterfall in Sourmilk Gill as we follow the path to the foot of Buttermere
Looking across the fields to Buttermere
We arrive at the foot of the lake, which is exceptionally high after two days of heavy rain...
Buttermere Dubs is in spate
Looking back to the bridge over Buttermere Dubs
We make a short diversion to the waterfall in Sourmilk Gill
Looking across to the foot of Buttermere as we follow the lakeshore path...
The path enters into Burtness Wood
Hassness on the far side of Buttermere
We follow the path around a promontory
Hassness again
Fleetwith Pike at the head of Buttermere...
Char Cottage, or the White Hut
Having passed the head of the lake we follow the wide path to Gatesgarth to start the return leg
We cross Peggy's Bridge
Warnscale Beck
Beyond Gatesgarth, there's a short section along the road
Looking across to High Crag
We approach the stony beach at Hassness, where the path is partially submerged
The head of Buttermere, Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks from the beach at Hassness
Beams of light over Char Cottage
We continue around the stony beach
The path disappears here. My feet get a soaking as I wade through the floodwater, while Gilly keeps her feet dry by clambering along the rocks to the right
We pass through the short rock tunnel
Another flooded section, where we climb a fence to the right
I make a short diversion to the foot of the lake for this view back to its head
Sourmilk Gill waterfall again
It's good to see the first blossom of the year as we arrive back at Buttermere village to end another wonderful circuit of the lake
