Meet time 9.15am
Start time 9.30am
(Estimated finish time 4pm )
Distance: 8.5 – 9 miles / 13.6 – 14.4 km
Ascent: 2706-2789 feet (825 – 850 meters)
Ramblers walk grading: A (Strenuous)
Start point: Buttermere Village, The Buttermere Court Hotel
Postcode: CA13 9XA
Car parking: Plenty of spaces along the Newlands Pass road bordering Buttermere village.
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: The walk starts from the Buttermere Court Hotel and we follow the wide track to the northern shore of Buttermere Lake. We take the flat path along the western shore of Buttermere with the mountains and woodland looming over. The ascent begins from the southwestern point of Buttermere as we take the stony path to Scarth Gap, the watershed between Buttermere and Ennerdale. We walk up to Seat which borders Scarth Gap to the west, from there it is a steep ascent to High Crag which is the first of the large mountains. The walk becomes considerably easier as we walk northwards along the range of the western Buttermere mountains, after High Crag the walk reaches the highest mountain High Stile, and then it descends slightly towards Red Pike.
Once at Red Pike the descent steepens and the route goes down first scree and then a stony path towards Bleaberry Tarn. After stopping at tarn the descent winds it way downwards through the woodland until coming to the northwestern corner of Buttermere Lake. From there it’s a short and flat path back to Buttermere Village.
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 13 May if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem).
This walk is suitable for dogs but please make sure you keep your dog under control as parts of the walk pass by pastures where sheep graze.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
Car sharing may be possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.