Crummock Water walk, Buttermere

Crummock Water

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 

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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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