Meet time: 09:15 am
Start time: 09:30 am
(Estimated finish time 18:00 – 18:30)
Grading: Strenuous
Distance: 9.8 miles / 15.8 km
Ascent: Approx. 1,220m
Startpoint: Syke Farm Tea Room, Buttermere. Grid reference for start point is NY 176 171.
Postcode: CA13 9XA
Car parking: There is a car park immediately west of The Buttermere Court Hotel, there is also free parking on the side of the Newlands Pass Road – immediately east of Buttermere Village. Parking on Newlands Pass Road can get rather busy and the terrain is uneven.
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: A walk from Buttermere to Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag, Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike.
The walk begins by going south through Buttermere and briefly through Burtness Wood. The ascent then begins to Bleaberry Tarn and finally onto our first Wainwright of the day, Red Pike. The route to the summit does have loose terrain so please be aware. This is the steepest ascent of the day but from the top there is great views of Crummock Water and Buttermere. From Red Pike we begin along the ridge line to High Stile.
High Stile is the second Wainwright of the day and is our highest peak at 806m; High Stile does have a higher summit at 807m but this isn’t the Wainwright. The route along the ridge line is consider one of the best in the Lake District and has lovely views of Buttermere. From High Stile we continue along the ridge to High Crag and then Haystacks. Haystacks is famously Alfred Wainwrights favourite and from here an option to return and descend down Scarth Gap is available for those who do not want to continue to Fleetwith Pike.
Once we reach our final Wainwright of the day we will then descend down Fleetwith Edge. This descent is steep and can be quite difficult, especially in wet conditions. We will then finish our walk along eastern Buttermere.
Please contact Jack on 07517 765959 by 9pm on Friday 3rd March if you are coming on this walk.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing as the weather can change quickly), 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.
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.