Route: Circuit of Buttermere
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 5th December 2014
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 5.6 miles
Ascent: 500 feet
Weather: Bright start, followed by rain and some hail
This is a walk we’ve done many times and could never tire of – there is beauty to be seen every step of the way
We parked in the National Trust car park just outside Buttermere village. Instead of heading into the village as usual, we left the car park via a marked footpath towards Long How. This took us towards Crummock Water at first, and after crossing Mill Beck we headed towards Buttermere
We walked to the foot of the lake and then through Burtness Wood. Up until now the weather had been fair but on reaching the head of the lake it started to rain, and there was some hail too, so I had to put the camera away for a while
We walked thorough Gatesgarth Farm and back to Buttermere village along the other side of the lake. Interest is added along this section by a rock tunnel near Hassness. This was carved out in the 9th century by a Manchester Mill owner. If you’re very tall you may need to duck here to avoid a sour head
Before returning to the start I called in to St James Church to visit the Alfred Wainwright memorial and to pay my respects to the great man
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
The path to Long How leads directly from the National Trust car park outside Buttermere village
Long How Wood
We walk beside Mill Beck for a short distance
Crossing Mill Beck
Mellbreak and Crummock Water
We turn away from Crummock Water to head towards Buttermere - Fleetwith Pike is in the background
We walk past the Fish Hotel in Buttermere
Heading towards Sourmilk Gill
We cross Buttermere Dubs
Looking back to Whiteless Pike and Grasmoor
In Burtness Wood
Looking across Buttermere
Hassness
Fleetwith Edge in the background
Fleetwith Pike
Looking towards Gatesgarth
Hassness Country House set in a wonderful position
Warnscale
Fleetwith Pike
Turn right for Haystacks, straight on to complete the circuit of Buttermere
Fleetwith Pike again
Walking across the head of the lake towards Gatesgarth Farm
We cross Peggy’s Bridge over Buttermere Dubs
Looking the other way from the bridge - it started to rain here
Colourful Herdies
Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks
High Stile
Looking back to Haystacks
Another look back to Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks
Bonnie goes on a wild duck chase
Entering the tunnel
Approaching Buttermere village
Back in Buttermere, I make a short detour to St James Church to pay my respects to Alfred Wainwright
Back home later that day
