“No mountain range in Lakeland is more dramatically impressive than this, no other more spectacularly sculptured, no other more worth climbing and exploring”
A Wainwright
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.
“This is in fact the best fell-top of all - a place of great charm and fairyland attractiveness.... One can forget even a raging toothache on Haystacks”
A Wainwright
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
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25th February 2017 Review by Bruce
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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