Lake Buttermere

About Buttermere Lake

Buttermere is a small lake in the Lake District in the county of Cumbria. With a total surface area of just 0.93 km2 (0.35 sq mi), it lies in one of the more remote and quiet corners of the Lake District. Arguably one of the most scenic lakes in the country, it is a tiny gem of inky dark greenish blue water, which on calm days reflects the surrounding high fells and woodlands on its surface like a mirror.

Activities

The fells surrounding the lake include High Stile, a mountain standing at an elevation of 807 m (~2,647 ft), which is part of the range rising steeply to the South West of Buttermere. A classic high-level hiking route is one that takes in High Crag, and its satellites, High Crag at 744 m (~2,441 ft) and Red Pike at 755 m (2,477 ft). On a clear day the route offers stunning views down to Buttermere and North to nearby Crummoch Water, Scale Force and the Scottish Hills.

Scale Force is worthy of note as the Lake District’s highest waterfall. At the bottom of Red Pike between Buttermere and Crummoch Water, it drops over 51 m (~167 ft) down into a narrow wooded gorge.

Other walks include tours of the fells Grasmoor, Robinson, Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks. Alfred Wainwright, author of the famous pictorial guides to the Lakeland fells, had his ashes scattered here. For those who prefer a less strenuous walk there is a very pretty path running right around the lake. This is about a two to three hour stroll through woodland, fields and shoreline.

Those seeking an adrenaline rush could venture up to Honister Slate Mine and Honister Pass, which links Buttermere to Borrowdale. Here there are tours down the mines and two via ferrata routes to tackle up Fleetwith Pike. Boating and fishing are also possible on the Lake.