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- Buttermere Walking Weekend
The ridge above Buttermere consisting of Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag gives a spectacular ridge walk covering some of the best ground in this area of Lakeland.
To the east of High Crag the ridge continues over the lower, but no less lovely, summit of Haystacks and continues around the head of the valley to Fleetwith Pike.
Over the weekend we will take in this ridge over two days, on the Saturday we will climb the wonderful High Stile ridge, including Red Pike and High Crag while on the Sunday we will walk the easter section of the ridge, a gentler day over Haystacks an Fletwith Pike.
Two of the best days walking in the Lake District, high above Buttermere.
There is plenty of good accommodation in the Buttermere Valley, including a Youth Hostel and several campsites.
Summits included on this weekend:
Red Pike (Buttermere)755 metres / 2477 feet
High Stile807 metres / 2648 feet
High Crag744 metres / 2441 feet
Haystacks597 metres / 1959 feet
Fleetwith Pike648 metres / 2126 feet
High Stile
From Buttermere we will follow the path above Crummock Water to Scale Force. Climbing the path alongside the waterfall we will climb onto the ridge leading to the summit of Red Pike.
From Red Pike we will continue along the fine ridge to the summits of High Stile and High Crag, with wonderful views over Buttermere, Ennerdale towards the higher tops of Great Gable, Pillar and Scafell Pike as well as over the Solway Coast.
From High Crag we will descend to Scarth Gap and then follow the track down to the Buttermere lake shore, following this back to Buttermere.
Haystacks
Although not the longest or highest of walks this route is no less spectacular. Starting at Gatesgarth Farm we cross the fields to climb the good path to Scarth Gap, the pass between Buttermere and Ennerdale, from here we turn onto the ridge to climb to the rocky summit of Haystacks. A wonderful rocky mountain with great views of the higher Mountains on all sides.
From the summit of Haystacks we will follow the ridge east around several of the lesser tops, taking time to find all the best views of the surrounding land and taking in some of the tarns along the ridge, including Innominate Tarn, the final resting place of Alfred Wainwright.
Once we descend to Dubs Quarry we will take one of the paths that descends by Warnscale Beck back to Gatesgarth Farm.
We often extend the route a little to take in the extra summit of Fleetwith Pike, descending over Fleetwith Edge to Gatesgarth, with some of the best views over Buttermere. Please ask if you would like to do this alternate route.
Where to meet: Outside the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere
Postcode: CA13 9UZ
Grid Reference: NY 174 169
Directions
From Keswick: Leave Keswick on the Borrowdale Road (from the mini roundabout near the co-op) Follow this road for approx 8 miles, passing through Rosthwaite to the village of Seatoller, from here the road climbs over Honister Pass, descend the eastern slopes of the pass and continue on this road until you reach Buttermere Village, Free parking will be found to the right as you reach the village, by the church or a larger pay car park will be found if you turn left next to the Bridge Hotel heading to the right of the Fish Hotel (Both hotels operate a clamping system). We will meet outside the Bridge Hotel.
From Cockermouth: Leave Cockermouth on the Lorton Road, leaving town opposite Sainsburys. Follow this road through the village of Low Lorton and continue until a road leads to the left, signposted for Buttermere, follow this road to Buttermere, a pay and display car park will be found to the right, behind the Bridge Hotel, free parking a little further on up the hill after the church. We will meet outside the Bridge Hotel.
Bus Services
A seasonal bus service runs to Buttermere from Keswick, the bus stop is behind the Bridge Hotel.
The 77/77a bus runs between Keswick and Buttermere, this is a seasonal service runnning from East to October.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
Each participant is expected to bring suitable personal equipment for the event.
This should include the following:
Summer Events:
(November - March)
- Walking shoes / Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
Winter Events:
(April - October)
- Walking Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
- Torch (preferably a headtorch)
- Spare batteries for the above
- Spare Gloves
- Flask & Hot Drink
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
- Snow Goggles
- Gaiters
The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
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Great walks Review by Angela
Overall Experience Good weekend walking.
Great walks.
Brilliant weather, great guides both days. (Posted on 30/04/2018) -
25th February 2017 Review by Bruce
Overall Experience The weather wasn't the best, but the guide helped to make a very wet day into a positive day out. This is what helps distinguish these guys from others, they have the mountain leadership skills to safely lead you in conditions that might be described as 'unfriendly' i.e. the rain blowis through every seam in your clothing! If you want a walk in good company, this team ticks the boxes. Enjoy yourselves. (Posted on 27/02/2017)
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Questions:
Question:
What is the minimum age for children on this event?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Friday, 13 October 2017
We do not have a set minimum age for this event, however, you know your child best, therefore please bear in mind this is an open event of varying ages, if you are not confident your child can complete this event then hiring a private guide could be a more suitable option.
As this is an open event all under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Question:
Are dogs allowed on this walking weekend?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Friday, 13 October 2017
Yes, dogs are allowed on all our walking weekends.
However we do cross farmland and common land where animals will be grazing, there will be large sections of the walks, if not all, where dogs will be required to be on a lead.
There are sections of this walks across rough ground and boulders and as such this walk may not be suitable for all dogs.
Question:
What happens if the weather is bad?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Friday, 13 October 2017
We plan to walk whatever the weather, unless it is dangerous to do so.
Mountain weather can be a little unpredictable, but we do keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to walks.
Should the forecast mean that the walk is not possible then we will contact you as soon as we have the forecast and offer you the following options:
- A more suitable walk on the same date taking into consideration the weather conditions
- A transfer to the same walk on another date
- A full refund
We will assess the forecast for each day individually.
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