Buttermere lake ringed by the high north-western fells, Lake District
North-western Lakes · 8 hand-picked walks

Buttermere Walks

From the most loved easy lake circuit in the district to Haystacks — the fell Wainwright loved above all others. The eight best walks around Buttermere, with distance, parking, start points and dog info for every route.

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A hand-picked guide

The best walks around Buttermere

Buttermere is many walkers' favourite corner of the Lakes — a small, perfect lake you can stroll around in an afternoon, ringed by some of Lakeland's finest fells, including Haystacks, the hill Wainwright loved above all others. This is a hand-picked guide to the eight best walks around Buttermere, with distance, time, ascent, parking, start points and dog-friendly info for each. It runs from the flat, family-friendly lake circular and the spring bluebells of Rannerdale, up through Scale Force and the little mountain shelter of Warnscale Bothy, to the serious high fells of Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike and the High Stile ridge.

Parking in a nutshell

Buttermere village (National Trust pay & display, ~50 spaces by the Fish Inn / Bridge Hotel, toilets) serves the lake circular, Rannerdale, Scale Force and the High Stile ridge. Gatesgarth Farm at the south end (pay & display, grid NY195 150, the cheapest — from £4.50/2hr, £6.50/4hr, £7.50 day) is the start for Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike and Warnscale Bothy. For the Rannerdale bluebells, free roadside parking at Hause Point / Cinderdale Common fills early. A free summer shuttle (the 77) runs from Cockermouth. Several walks here also pass swimming spots — see our Lake District wild swimming guide.

Showing all 8 walks.

Easy

Easy walks around Buttermere

Rannerdale Knotts above Crummock Water, famous for its spring bluebells, Buttermere valley, Lake District

Rannerdale Knotts

The secret bluebell valley · late Apr–May

Easy

Distance

2.5 – 4 mi loop

Time

2 – 2.5 hrs

Height

~355 m

Terrain

Paths · optional easy scramble

A small, craggy fell above Crummock Water with an outsized reputation — famous in late April and May for the valley of wild bluebells below it, the so-called "secret valley" and a legendary medieval battle site. It is a short, rewarding circular of roughly 2.5 to 4 miles to a ~355-metre top, with an optional bit of easy scrambling near the summit and a grandstand view over both Crummock Water and Buttermere. A note on the question people ask: Rannerdale Knotts isn't one of the main separate Wainwright summits, but it does appear among his listed/outlying fells — and as an easy half-day with a big view, it more than earns its place. Dog-friendly; keep dogs on a lead near livestock.

Best time: the bluebells

The bluebells usually flower from late April into May, peaking early-to-mid May (it varies with the weather). Go early in the day — the small free car parks and the valley both fill quickly at peak bloom.

Start: Hause Point / Cinderdale Common on the Buttermere–Crummock road, or Buttermere village

Parking: Free roadside at Hause Point & Cinderdale Common (fill fast at bluebell time), or Buttermere village pay & display

Find it: Search "Cinderdale Common car park" in Google Maps

Dog-friendly Lake views Circular Spring bluebells
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The quiet shore of Loweswater, a gentle lake walk near Buttermere, Lake District

Loweswater

The quiet escape · far fewer crowds

Easy

Distance

~4 mi · 6.4 km

Time

~2 hrs

Ascent

Low / flat

Terrain

Woodland & farmland

The quiet, gentle lake just to the north-west — a peaceful circular of around 4 miles through woodland and farmland, with far fewer crowds than Buttermere itself and the welcoming Kirkstile Inn nearby for afterwards. Easy and dog-friendly throughout, it is the pick when you want lake-and-fell scenery without the visitor numbers. Loweswater is also unusual for "draining" towards the centre of the Lakes rather than away — a quiet corner with its own character.

Start: Maggie's Bridge, Loweswater (small National Trust car park)

Parking: Maggie's Bridge car park — small, arrive early; limited roadside alternatives

Find it: Search "Maggie's Bridge car park, Loweswater" in Google Maps

Dog-friendly Lake views Circular Woodland · low crowds
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Moderate

Moderate walks around Buttermere

Scale Force, the Lake District's highest waterfall, in its wooded gorge above Crummock Water near Buttermere

Scale Force

The Lake District's highest waterfall

Moderate

Distance

~3.5 mi return

Time

1.5 – 2 hrs

Falls

~52 m (170 ft)

Terrain

Rough, boggy, un-waymarked

The Lake District's highest waterfall — a single drop of around 52 metres (170 ft) hidden in a mossy, wooded gorge above Crummock Water, at its thunderous best after heavy rain. Be honest with yourself about the approach: it's roughly 3.5 miles there and back from Buttermere on a path that is rough, often boggy and not waymarked, crossing open ground and a footbridge — sturdy boots and a map help. The plunge pools here are a known wild-swimming spot; we cover them, and the cold-water cautions, on the wild swimming guide rather than repeat them here.

Start: Buttermere village · CA13 9XA (along the Crummock Water shore)

Parking: Buttermere village National Trust pay & display

Note: The final approach is slippery on wet rock — take real care near the falls and the pools

Dog-friendly Waterfall & lake Mostly out-and-back Wild swimming nearby
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Difficult

The high fells above Buttermere

Fleetwith Pike, the pyramid fell at the head of Buttermere, Lake District

Fleetwith Pike

The pyramid at the head of the lake

Difficult

Distance

~4 mi · 6.4 km

Time

3 – 4 hrs

Summit

648 m

Terrain

Steep direct ridge

The shapely pyramid fell that closes the head of Buttermere — 648 metres, climbed by a steep, direct route up its prominent north-west ridge straight from Gatesgarth. Near the bottom you pass the small white cross that remembers Fanny Mercer, a young walker killed here in 1887. It is a steep, lung-busting pull of around 4 miles round, rewarded with huge views over Buttermere, Crummock Water and the Honister fells. A Wainwright, and often linked with Haystacks, Honister or Warnscale Bothy for a bigger round. Steep ground throughout — take care, especially in the wet.

Start: Gatesgarth, south end of Buttermere — the NW ridge rises straight from the road. Grid NY195 150

Parking: Gatesgarth Farm pay & display (from £4.50/2hr, £6.50/4hr, £7.50 day) — same start as Haystacks & Warnscale Bothy

Note: Steep and exposed in places — a proper fell, not a stroll

Same Gatesgarth start: Warnscale Bothy → Haystacks →
Dog-OK (with care) Two-lake views Direct up & down Wainwright
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The High Stile ridge above Buttermere — Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag, Lake District

High Stile & Red Pike ridge

Buttermere's highest skyline · the big day

Difficult

Distance

7 – 8 mi

Time

5 – 6 hrs

High point

807 m (High Stile)

Terrain

Full mountain horseshoe

The High Stile ridge is Buttermere's highest skyline — a serious horseshoe taking in Red Pike (755 m), High Stile (807 m) and High Crag high above the lake, with a big ascent and some of the finest ridge views in the western Lakes looking down on both Buttermere and Crummock Water. Reckon on a full mountain day of 7 to 8 miles from Buttermere village. These are all Wainwrights, and this is a route for experienced, well-equipped walkers with the navigation to match — exposed to the weather, with steep descents. Save it for a clear, settled day.

Start: Buttermere village · CA13 9XA (typically up by Sourmilk Gill / Bleaberry Tarn)

Parking: Buttermere village National Trust pay & display

Note: Experienced walkers only — full mountain kit, map & compass, and a good forecast

Dog-OK (fit dogs, with care) Two-lake panoramas Horseshoe circular Three Wainwrights
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Keep exploring

More Lake District walks

Browse the full regional guide, dip into the valley's swims and viewpoints, or head back to the town hub for the whole day out.

The full guide

All Lake District walks

The best walks across the region by difficulty, type and area.

Lake District walks hub
The town

Things to do in Buttermere

The lake, Rannerdale bluebells, the Warnscale Bothy window view, food, parking and the full day out.

Buttermere hub
In the water

Wild swimming

Scale Force, Buttermere and the high tarns above Haystacks — swims, directions and honest cold-water notes.

Wild swimming guide
Next valley

Keswick walks

Over Honister into Borrowdale — Catbells, Walla Crag and Derwentwater, the nearest built walks guide.

Keswick walks

Plan your whole Buttermere day around a walk

Free, no sign-up. Tell the planner which walk you fancy, your transport and the weather — it builds a timed day around it, with parking, lunch and the bus times sorted.

Open the free Lakes Planner

Common questions

Buttermere walks, answered

How long is the walk around Buttermere?
The Buttermere lake circular is about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) and takes roughly 2 to 2.5 hours at an easy pace. It is mostly flat on good paths, with a short rock tunnel near the western shore, and is one of the best easy lake walks in England — family-friendly, dog-friendly and pram-friendly along the eastern shore.
Is Haystacks a hard climb? Is it a Wainwright?
Haystacks is a moderate-to-hard fell walk with some easy scrambling — around 5 miles and 3 to 4 hours from Gatesgarth, climbing about 500 metres to a 597-metre summit. Yes, it is one of Alfred Wainwright's 214 fells, and it was his favourite of them all: his ashes were scattered at Innominate Tarn on its top. Take boots, a map and a weather check.
When are the Rannerdale bluebells out?
The famous Rannerdale bluebells usually flower from late April into May, peaking early-to-mid May (timing varies year to year with the weather). The hidden valley below Rannerdale Knotts fills with wild bluebells in the open — unusual for England. Go early in the day to beat the crowds and parking pressure.
Where do you park in Buttermere?
There are two main car parks. Buttermere village (National Trust pay & display, ~50 spaces by the Fish Inn and Bridge Hotel, with toilets) serves the lake circular, Rannerdale, Scale Force and the High Stile ridge. Gatesgarth Farm at the south end (pay & display, grid NY195 150 — the cheapest, from £4.50 for 2 hours) is the start for Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike and Warnscale Bothy. For the Rannerdale bluebells there is also free roadside parking at Hause Point and Cinderdale Common, which fills fast.
Where is Scale Force?
Scale Force is the Lake District's highest waterfall — a single drop of around 52 metres (170 ft) in a wooded gorge above Crummock Water, reached on a rough, often boggy and un-waymarked path of about 3.5 miles return from Buttermere village. The plunge pools below it feature on our wild swimming guide; treat any dip as serious cold water and take real care on the slippery rock.
What is the easiest walk in Buttermere?
The Buttermere lake circular is the easiest and best-loved walk — a flat, ~4.5-mile loop of the whole lake on good paths, with a complete ring of fells reflected in the water. It is suitable for families, dog-friendly and pram-friendly on the eastern shore. Loweswater, the quiet lake just to the north-west, is another gentle, low-crowd option.
Can you sleep in or stay at Warnscale Bothy?
Yes — Warnscale Head Bothy is a free, open, unlocked shelter maintained by Mountain Bothies Association volunteers. There is no booking and no charge; it works on a first-come basis, so it may be full when you arrive — always carry a tent and a backup plan and never rely on it. It is very basic (a stone floor and bench, no beds, water, power or facilities), intended for short stays of a night or two. Leave it cleaner than you found it and carry all litter out. The full place story and window view are on the Buttermere hub.
Are there dog-friendly walks in Buttermere?
Yes — all eight walks on this page are dog-friendly, including the lake circular, Rannerdale Knotts, Loweswater, Scale Force, Warnscale Bothy, Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike and the High Stile ridge. Keep dogs on a lead near the sheep and livestock on the open fells and farmland, and take care on the steeper, scrambly sections of the higher fells.