Fleetwith Pike

Written and walked by Lee McCoy · Summited April 2026

Home › Fells › Fleetwith Pike

649 mWainwright — Western Fells+2 bonus Birketts within 3 km Serious in Clag

Fleetwith Pike at 649m (2,129ft) stands above Honister Pass, its northern face falling in the famous Honister Crags that Wainwright described as giving one of the most dramatic fell profiles in the Western Fells.

Summit conditions on Fleetwith Pike

On the summit on Tuesday 27 October: 11° to 5°C, gusts to 68 mph, 11.2 mm of rain forecast over the whole day, midnight to midnight.

Against our lines, Tuesday 27 October: wind, cold and cloud from the Met Office UKV 2 km model (daylight hours, as in the verdict above); rain from the summit line’s forecast (the whole day). A tile is large when this top is past its line.

Wind on the top

Past the line

73 mph, our estimate for the open top in the worst daylight hour

The Met Office 2 km model’s gust of 59 mph times our exposure factor of 1.25. The summit line above gives Open-Meteo’s highest gust for the whole day, 68 mph, before any exposure factor.

The line Our line: 25 mph, where our wind Scale begins its 25–35 band: “balance affected; buffeting on exposed ground”. MWIS (opens in new tab) describes what wind does to a walker across a range rather than at a line: from about 20–25 mph it starts to affect your balance.

Estimated: it is not calibrated against summit readings, and the two forecasts can disagree by more than a band.

Rain, and the becks

Past the line

11.2 mm of rain over the whole day, midnight to midnight

The same figure as the summit line above and the 7-day forecast.

The line Our line: 6 mm in the day, where our scorer counts a day as soaking. We read rainfall, never river levels: becks in spate.

Open-Meteo’s forecast. It says nothing about rain already in the ground.

Also checked cold: feels like 1 °C, no ice or snow forecast; cloud: a clear-top reading of 34 out of 100, over our in-cloud line of 20. Under a line is not the same as fine: it means only that these figures are under the lines we use.

Not in these tiles Lightning, river levels, snow or ice already lying, and the ground under your feet. A tile cannot see them, so an empty space here never means they are absent.

Snow figures with a second opinion: Powered by Met Office data

Full 7-day summit forecast ↓

Wainwrights are scored for walking conditions each morning from the Met Office’s UK forecast model, read for each summit through Open-Meteo; the forecast figures are Open-Meteo’s, worked out for the summit’s height. How we check →

Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (opens in new tab)

Routes up Fleetwith Pike

Choose the way up before the car park: these three routes start from two places, and the last two rows give the parking and bus at each route’s own start. Full maps further down.

Compared	Haystacks	Fleetwith Edge and Haystacks	Black Star Brandreth and others
Starts from	Honister Pass (paid, slate mine)	Gatesgarth Farm	Honister Slate Mine
Distance and climb	11.21 km, 792 m of climb	8.83 km, 767 m of climb	9.29 km, 629 m of climb
Time, fast to steady	~3½–4¾ h	~3–4¼ h	~2¾–4 h
Scrambling	Hands for a few steps: the craggy east end and the summit rocks (km 2.4–5.5). Easy walking to the base; only the last few metres to the true summit are a short, sharp scramble on the sharp peak, and that final top can be skipped.	Hands for a few steps: Fleetwith Edge, the craggy ground below the top of Haystacks, and the rocky step down to Scarth Gap (km 0.8–1.9 and km 4.3–6.6).	Not mentioned in the route’s notes
Exposure	Moderate	Not assessed	Not assessed
Navigation	Hard	Hard	Hard
Steepest stretch	Descent of about 31% at 10.7 km (Hard)	Climb of about 42% at 1.6 km (Severe)	Descent of about 33% at 8.7 km (Hard)
After the summit	Over Haystacks (Buttermere), Brandreth and Grey Knotts	Over Haystacks (Buttermere)	Over Brandreth and Grey Knotts
Walked or planned	Walked by Lee, April 2026	Planned: drawn, not yet walked	Walked in part; km 1.1–2.2, km 5.9–6.9 from the map
Car park at the start	Honister Pass (paid, slate mine)	Gatesgarth Farm, Buttermere (paid)	Honister Pass (paid, slate mine)
Bus to the start	77 at the start. Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day.	77 at the start. Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day.	77 at the start. Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day.

Times run from fast to steady pace (Naismith’s rule). Scrambling quotes each route’s own notes; “not mentioned” means they do not say, not that the ground has none. Each route’s page has its map, stages and GPX.

Distance, climb and the steepest stretch are measured from each route’s GPX track; the other grades are set on the ground, judged from the map or estimated from OpenStreetMap, and each route page says which. How we check →

Is Fleetwith Pike hard to climb?

It depends entirely on the route. Fleetwith Pike (649 m / 2,129 ft) stands at the head of Buttermere, and the famous Fleetwith Edge ridge from Gatesgarth is a steep, relentless, airy climb with some hands-on scrambling and real exposure — exhilarating but not for nervous walkers.

By contrast, the approach from the top of Honister Pass is far gentler. So it can be a tough little mountain or a modest one, depending on which way you go up.

How we check →

Conditions and 7-day summit forecast

Modelled for the 649 m summit (Open-Meteo). Check the Met Office mountain forecast and MWIS before you set off.

Full 7-day forecast

Tue 27 Oct

11° / 5°

68 mph

11.2 mm (100%)

Wed 28 Oct

9° / 6°

50 mph

8.9 mm (100%)

Thu 29 Oct

9° / 7°

25 mph

0.5 mm (26%)

Fri 30 Oct

9° / 6°

25 mph

0.0 mm (31%)

Sat 31 Oct

10° / 1°

8 mph

0.0 mm (25%)

Sun 1 Nov

8° / 0°

5 mph

0.0 mm (12%)

Mon 2 Nov

7° / 2°

17 mph

0.0 mm (0%)

Taken 27 October 2026, 08:13 UTC; the live forecast replaces it when it loads. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com (opens in new tab)

Pro mountain forecasts: MWIS · Met Office mountain forecast

Parking & buses for Fleetwith Pike

Parking

Where do you park for Fleetwith Pike?

For the steep Fleetwith Edge route, park at Gatesgarth Farm at the head of Buttermere (a paid honesty/farm car park). For the easier route, use the car park at the top of Honister Pass by the Honister Slate Mine.

Both fill quickly on fine days. The Honister Pass road is very steep and narrow, and can be tricky in winter.

Sources: All Things Lake District — Fleetwith Pike (opens in new tab)

Route starts first, then the car parks nearest the summit, which are not always a way up.

Honister Pass (paid, slate mine) — at the start of Haystacks and Black Star Brandreth and others

Paid parking at the top of the pass — Dale Head, Fleetwith Pike, Grey Knotts with minimal ascent. This is the slate mine's own car park, the WESTERN one; the National Trust car park 170 m east is a separate one. Fees: Day parking GBP 5 per day for visitors; free for all Honister activity guests (honister.com/your-visit/). Overnight parking GBP 15 a night in the large bottom car park, open to campervans, motorhomes and vans, no tent camping, no facilities, no electric hook-ups; book online or pay by QR code on arrival and display confirmation on the dashboard (honister.com/your-visit/overnight-parking) (operator, checked August 2026). You pay by card, inside the building, not at a machine in the car park. The posted opening is 9am but it is often later; the mine is content for you to arrive before it and pay on the way out, and the car park is covered by cameras (Lee McCoy, local observation, recorded 12 August 2026). Pay and display (LDNPA, checked August 2026).

Typically full before 10:00 on fine weekends, Apr-Oct — Lee McCoy, local observation, 9 August 2026.

Directions Something changed here?

If it is full: Seatoller (NT, paid) (2.4 km, 259 m up)

Public toilets (~136 m straight line) — Free Sky Hi Cafe

Gatesgarth Farm, Buttermere (paid) — at the start of Fleetwith Edge and Haystacks

Farm car park at the foot of Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike and the High Stile ridge.

Directions Something changed here?

Honister Crag (layby) — 0.8 km from summit (straight line)

Nearest fells: Honister Crag (Black Star) (0.7 km), Fleetwith Pike (0.8 km), Dale Head (1.4 km). Free (OSM-tagged). Unpaved surface (OSM-tagged).

Directions Something changed here?

2 more places to park near Fleetwith Pike

Fleetwith Pike (layby) — 0.9 km from summit (straight line)

On the Honister Pass road (B5289), about 610 m east of the Gatesgarth Farm car park. The nearest route start is 'Fleetwith Edge and Haystacks', at the Gatesgarth Farm car park, about 0.6 km west in a straight line. Free (OSM-tagged). Unpaved surface (OSM-tagged).

Directions Something changed here?

Honister (NT, paid) — 2.1 km from summit (straight line)

Walking base for Great Gable, Green Gable, Brandreth and Grey Knotts — the 'Great Gable from Honister Slate Mine' route starts 61 m away. Also serves 'Haystacks'. Paid National Trust car park - the prices we used to show here came from an aggregator rather than the Trust, so we no longer publish a figure; check the machine on arrival, and members should bring their card (National Trust car-park list, checked August 2026). The machine takes cards, and National Trust members park free on production of their membership card (Lee McCoy, local observation, recorded 12 August 2026).

Directions Something changed here?

Positions are approximate.

Vehicles are left at their owner’s risk: we list places people park and cannot vouch for any of them. Take valuables with you and leave nothing on show.

Buses

The 77 stops at Gatesgarth, at Mountain Rescue Point, a 40 m walk from the start of Fleetwith Edge and Haystacks — a route we rate Severe overall (hardest: steepness). Seasonal: the 77 does not run all year. 1 November 2026 is its last day. It returns on 22 March 2027. Confirmed with the operator: its last day on 29 August 2026, its return on 16 October 2026. The last bus is 18:26 towards Keswick (77), every day. Checked against the operator’s timetable, 7 September 2026; that timetable runs to 1 November 2026. Times here are a guide, not a promise — leave yourself more than the minute.

Stagecoach 77 / 77A “Honister Rambler”

Keswick – Portinscale – Hawes End (Catbells) – Grange – Seatoller – Honister Pass – Buttermere – Lorton – Whinlatter – Keswick (circular)

Catch it from: Keswick (connect via 555 from Windermere/Ambleside or X4/X5 from Penrith)

Seasonal (Summer 2026 timetable: 23 March to 1 November 2026). Brilliant for the North Western fells: Catbells, Dale Head from Honister, the Buttermere fells and Whinlatter.

Rural routes change seasonally — confirm on stagecoachbus.com (opens in new tab) or Traveline before relying on a last bus.

Getting there across the Lake District: Buses · Parking map · By train · By boat

Hazards on Fleetwith Pike

Hazard & Incident Information for Fleetwith Pike

Checked by Lee McCoy, 14 June 2026. Draws on published material from Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team. Editorial background, not a live callout feed.

Hazard: Moderate

A bold, steep-nosed fell standing over Buttermere and the head of Honister, hugely popular and instantly recognisable. Its north-west ridge, Fleetwith Edge, rises straight from Gatesgarth in a steep, airy line that needs confidence with exposure. A white memorial cross stands on its lower slopes. The Buttermere face is steep and crag-broken, and old quarry workings lie on the Honister side. Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team covers this ground.

Fleetwith Edge (the nose): The direct ascent up the nose is steep and airy with exposed steps — exhilarating but unforgiving of a slip. Take it carefully, and it is a poor and more dangerous way down; if unsure of the exposure, use a gentler route. Avoid it in strong wind, wet or ice.
Steep crag-broken Buttermere face: The Buttermere side is steep and broken with crags (Low Raven Crag and others). Keep to the path and well back from the edges near the top, especially in cloud or wind.
Honister quarry workings & navigation: Old slate-quarry workings scar the Honister side — keep clear of spoil and openings. The summit area needs a compass bearing in mist to leave on the right line toward Honister or Gatesgarth.

Who should attempt this fell: Fleetwith Pike is a magnificent, much-loved fell, but Fleetwith Edge is a genuinely steep, airy line with a fatal history — take it carefully, don't use it as a descent if you're unsure, and avoid it in wind, wet or ice. Keep back from the Buttermere crags and the quarry workings, navigate by compass off the top in cloud, and treat the nose as full winter terrain when iced.

What to watch for: Slips and falls on the steep, exposed Fleetwith Edge (a historic fatal-fall site) · Walkers straying onto the crag-broken Buttermere face in poor visibility · Mishaps around the old Honister quarry workings · Navigation errors off the summit in cloud; winter ice on the steep nose

Local Mountain Rescue: Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab)

Safety: Always check current conditions, carry proper navigation equipment, and seek qualified instruction before heading onto the fells. In an emergency, call 999, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.

Report incorrect information (opens in new tab)

Navigating in cloud

Serious in cloud

Of the three things our terrain model measures, the highest reading here is the amount of walkable ground near the summit that lies close to steep ground or crag. A serious place to be caught in cloud: carry map and compass (or GPS) and know how to use them, or save it for a clear day.

In winter — snow, whiteout, cornices, buried features — every top demands full winter navigation skills whatever its band, and a broad, gentle summit can be the worst place of all. See walking in bad weather and the navigation guide.

How Fleetwith Pike compares with all 214: the Clag Index (experimental).

If you need Mountain Rescue

Dial 999 or 112 and ask for the Police, then Mountain Rescue.

Before you call, have ready: where you are (a grid reference if you can – the OS Locate app shows yours on your phone), what has happened, how many of you there are, and your mobile number.

Then stay where you are until the rescue team contacts you.

If you cannot make a voice call because of a hearing or speech impairment, emergency SMS works only if you have registered first: text “register” to 999.

From Mountain Rescue England and Wales’s guidance on calling them out (opens in new tab) (read 26 October 2026).

Map, GPX and nearby Birketts

Free mapping: OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap, with SRTM elevation data (switch layers top-right).

Parking, toilets and buses: Parking & buses ↑.

Birketts within 3 km of Fleetwith Pike

These Birkett tops are not Wainwright summits. Distances are straight lines: check the ground and access on a map before adding one.

0.7 km EHonister Crag (Black Star)634 m · Western

2.2 km WSWSeat561 m · Western

Routes over Fleetwith Pike

Black Star Brandreth and others

Summits: Honister Crag (Black Star)Fleetwith PikeBrandreth Grey Knotts

Download GPX Walked in part, April 2026 · km 1.1–2.2, km 5.9–6.9 from the map

Route guide: Black Star Brandreth and others →

Fleetwith Edge and Haystacks

Summits: Fleetwith PikeHaystacks (Buttermere)

The start is the paid car park at Gatesgarth Farm, beside the B5289 at the head of Buttermere, with bus stops beside it.

Download GPX Planned route · not yet walked

Warnings: About 120 m near the start, between about 0.1 and 0.2 km, follows the B5289, which OpenStreetMap maps with a 60 mph limit and records no pavement for. Fleetwith Edge is the steepest ground of the walk: about 42% sustained near 1.6 km, with mapped crags (Low Raven Crag and High Raven Crag) within about 10 m of the path. Fleetwith Pike’s hazard notes call the direct climb steep and airy, and a poor way down. Near 2.7 km OpenStreetMap maps a sign about 70 m from the line that reads “No Public Access, Live Mine”, at the slate workings on Honister Crag. Keep to the mapped path. OpenStreetMap maps fords on the line near 3.4 km on the bridleway, at Warnscale Beck near 4.0 km and near 7.1 km on the Scarth Gap bridleway, and stepping stones on Black Beck near 4.9 km. The way down from the top of Haystacks to Scarth Gap is the rocky step that Haystacks’ own notes advise climbing rather than descending: about 39% over 250 m near 5.9 km. About 3.3 km of the line, in three pieces, follows paths and tracks that OpenStreetMap does not record as public rights of way: from the top of Fleetwith Pike to the bridleway at about 3.2 km, from Warnscale Beck to the paths below the top of Haystacks (about 3.9 to 5.2 km), and from the top of Haystacks down to Scarth Gap (about 5.9 to 6.6 km). The rest is public footpaths, public bridleways and the B5289. That is a map-data note, not a ruling on access: check the access land and rights of way maps before relying on this stretch.

Route guide: Fleetwith Edge and Haystacks →

Haystacks

Summits: Fleetwith PikeHaystacks (Buttermere)Brandreth Grey Knotts

Download GPX Walked by Lee, April 2026

Picked for its light in: February A winter pick assumes the tops are clear of snow and ice on the day, or that you carry winter kit and know how to use it.

Warnings: The summit area of Haystacks is a maze of rocky knolls, tarns and boggy hollows — one of the most complex summit plateaux in Lakeland. In cloud it is very easy to lose the path and end up above steep crags. Do not attempt the summit in poor visibility unless you are a confident navigator with map and compass.

Route guide: Haystacks →

Every line here is a guide, not a guarantee — conditions change. Navigate for yourself and carry a map and compass. How to use this guide.

On the hill: terrain and water on Fleetwith Pike

Water & shelter on the way up

On the Black Star Brandreth and others route:

Honister Youth Hostel / Slate Quarry (E) (157 m from the start, straight line) bus stop (163 m from the start, straight line) Honister Pass YHA (112 m from the start, straight line)

On the Fleetwith Edge and Haystacks route:

Mountain rescue point (22 m from the start, straight line) Mountain Rescue Post (30 m from the start, straight line)

On the Haystacks route:

Honister Youth Hostel / Slate Quarry (E) (123 m from the start, straight line) bus stop (129 m from the start, straight line) Honister Pass YHA (77 m from the start, straight line)

On-route facilities © OpenStreetMap contributors, per route — an absent marker doesn’t mean none.

About Fleetwith Pike

The summit gives outstanding views of Buttermere, Crummock Water and the Grasmoor group from its elevated position. The ascent from Buttermere via the Honister path is excellent, with the lake views improving dramatically on the approach.

My Strava hikes over Fleetwith Pike

1 logged hike pass over this summit:

A few more done in the sun (opens in new tab) — 11.3 km · 860 m ascent · 3h 22m moving · 7 April 2026

Data from Strava.

Classifications & hill data

Is Fleetwith Pike a Wainwright?

Fleetwith Pike is a Wainwright. It is also on the Birkett list, the Synge list, the Nuttall list, the Fellranger list, the HuMP list and the Hewitt list.

Selected lists

649 m

Height

2,129 ft

In feet

NY 2059 1416

Grid ref

This is the summit’s grid reference. If you call from anywhere else, give your own position, not this one.

The summit is also a Birkett.

Lists, height and summit position from the Database of British and Irish Hills; the feet are converted from its metres and the grid reference from that position. How we check →

The view from Fleetwith Pike

The 360° skyline from Fleetwith Pike

A computed 360° skyline — every visible named top labelled by distance and bearing, from the terrain model in perfect clarity, not photographed. Drag to pan; reveal the far four-nations horizon.

drag to pan · arrow keys

The skyline as a list, by direction

North: Hindscarth (2 km), Robinson (3 km), Wandope (6 km), Crag Hill (6 km), Long Side (15 km), Skiddaw (16 km)
North-east: Dale Head (2 km)
East: Ullscarf (9 km), Helvellyn Lower Man (13 km), White Side (13 km), Helvellyn (14 km), Nethermost Pike (14 km), High Crag (14 km), Raise (14 km), Dollywaggon Pike (14 km), Stybarrow Dodd (14 km), Cofa Pike (15 km), Green Side (15 km), Fairfield (16 km), Great Rigg (16 km), Red Screes (20 km)
South-east: Combe Head (5 km), Glaramara (6 km), Looking Steads (6 km), Allen Crags (6 km), Esk Pike (7 km), Bowfell (9 km), Low White Stones (9 km), High Raise (9 km)
South: Kirk Fell East Top (4 km), Green Gable (4 km), Kirk Fell (4 km), Great Gable (4 km), Great End (6 km), Scafell (8 km)
South-west: Pillar (4 km), Red Pike (5 km)
West: High Stile (4 km), Red Pike (5 km)
North-west: Grasmoor (7 km)

On the clearest days the far horizon adds: Merrick (106 km, Scotland), Cairnsmore of Carsphairn (104 km, Scotland), Cairnsmore of Fleet (88 km, Scotland), Corserine (102 km, Scotland), Lamachan Hill (99 km, Scotland), Cairnharrow (79 km, Scotland), Cairnsmore [Black Craig of Dee] (88 km, Scotland), Wisp Hill (87 km, Scotland).

Computed from Copernicus GLO-30 terrain; distant tops from the Database of British and Irish Hills v18.4 (opens in new tab) (CC BY 4.0). See how we compute the view · and the summit intervisibility report below.

Sunrise and sunset on Fleetwith Pike

Fleetwith Pike waits for the sun. Its longest wait of the modelled year falls on 1 June, when the sun is up for 27 minutes before it clears this skyline — first light 05:12 against an almanac sunrise of 04:45. You are standing in shadow while the valley below is already lit. The sun comes up to the north-east from here (53.7°), and the skyline on that bearing stands at 2.68°.

Midsummer. The filled shape is the skyline as seen from the summit; the line is the sun’s path. Where they meet is first light — everything left of that point is the wait.

Times for 2026, in Lakeland clock time (GMT in winter, BST in summer) — and model outputs rather than observations.
	First light	Almanac sunrise	Difference
Midsummer	05:02 BST ±5.0 min	04:37	+25 min
Equinox	06:23 GMT ±5.0 min	06:16	+7 min
Midwinter	08:45 GMT ±5.0 min	08:33	+12 min

The northern horizon stands at about 0.63° from here.

Last light — when the sun leaves Fleetwith Pike

Fleetwith Pike loses the sun early. Its earliest evening of the modelled year falls on 1 November, when last light is 29 minutes before almanac sunset — 16:09 against 16:38. The sun goes down to the west-south-west from here (239.8°), and the skyline on that bearing stands at 3.39°.

The evening of the same three days. A negative difference means a ridge takes the sun before the valley loses it.
	Last light	Almanac sunset	Difference
Midsummer	21:57 BST ±5.0 min	21:53	+4 min
Equinox	18:12 GMT ±5.0 min	18:27	-15 min
Midwinter	15:34 GMT ±5.0 min	15:50	-16 min

These are daylight figures, not a descent plan: the light goes on fading for a good while after the sun leaves, and going down in it is a decision about your own ground and party, not about this table.

What you can see from Fleetwith Pike

On a clear day — computed sightlines, curvature- and refraction-corrected.

51Wainwrights in view+11 marginal

107 kmFurthest sightlineMerrick · possible under favourable refraction

1Sea in viewIrish Sea

On the clearest days the view reaches across to Scotland.

Far horizons

Merrick ScotlandNW · 107 km clear
Irish Sea open waterSW · 50 km in view

All 51 Wainwrights in clear view (nearest first)

Haystacks (Buttermere), Grey Knotts, Dale Head, Brandreth, High Crag (Buttermere), Hindscarth, Robinson, Green Gable, Kirk Fell, Great Gable, Pillar, Red Pike (Buttermere), Red Pike (Wasdale), Glaramara, Whiteless Pike, Rosthwaite Fell - Bessyboot, Rannerdale Knotts, Wandope, Great End, Crag Hill (Eel Crag), Allen Crags, Great Crag (Stonethwaite), Yewbarrow, Causey Pike, Grasmoor, Eagle Crag, Esk Pike, Mellbreak (Mellbreak South Top), Sergeant's Crag, Scafell, Hen Comb, Bowfell, High Raise (High White Stones), Ullscarf, Armboth Fell (Armboth Fell South Top), Gavel Fell, Low Fell, Blake Fell, Whin Rigg (Wasdale), Fellbarrow - Mosser Fell, White Side, Helvellyn, Dodd (Skiddaw), Nethermost Pike, Raise, Dollywaggon Pike, Stybarrow Dodd, Long Side, Ullock Pike, Fairfield, Red Screes

How the view from Fleetwith Pike compares with all 214 — the View Report: every Wainwright ranked by what you can see from the top.

How the skyline, light and sightlines are computed

Computed, not photographed. First light is the first minute the sun’s upper limb clears this summit’s own skyline and last light the last minute it is still clear of it, both solved against the 360° horizon profile behind The View from Fleetwith Pike. Almanac sunrise and sunset are the flat-horizon convention. Every time carries a ± band from the 30 m elevation model — it smooths arêtes and cornices, so nothing here claims better than five minutes.

Sightlines from the Copernicus GLO-30 elevation model, which is a surface model: each 30 m cell holds the top of whatever stands there, trees and buildings included, rather than bare ground. Corrected for the Earth’s curvature and average atmospheric refraction. “Distant” sightlines and any over 100 km depend on exceptionally clear air. Modelled from Copernicus GLO-30 open elevation data — a guide to the view, not a guarantee of any single one.

Places to stay near this fell

Seatoller House (opens in new tab) guest houseabout 2.0 km

Also nearby, but not independent

YHA Borrowdale (opens in new tab) hostelabout 3.1 km

We have not stayed at any of them. We take no bookings or affiliate fees. Distances are straight lines from each route start, never walking times. Properties found via OpenStreetMap (opens in new tab).

Frequently asked questions about Fleetwith Pike

Is Fleetwith Pike hard to climb? Answered above.

What is the easiest route up Fleetwith Pike?

The easiest way is from the top of Honister Pass (Honister Slate Mine), which already starts you high at around 350 m. It's a fairly direct walk of just over 3 miles round trip on good tracks, with no scrambling — by far the gentlest line to the summit.

The dramatic Fleetwith Edge from Gatesgarth at the foot of Buttermere is the classic ascent, but it's steep, airy and much harder.

Sources: Honister Slate Mine — Fleetwith Pike walk (opens in new tab)

How long does it take to climb Fleetwith Pike? Answered above: Routes up Fleetwith Pike.

How dangerous is Fleetwith Edge?

Fleetwith Edge is steep, rocky and exposed, with a little easy scrambling and big drops to either side near the bottom of the ridge above Buttermere. A white memorial cross at its foot is a sobering reminder to take it seriously.

It's a wonderful route for confident, sure-footed walkers in good conditions, but avoid it in wind, wet or low cloud, and don't take it on if exposure unnerves you — use the Honister approach instead. Coming down it is harder than going up.

Sources: Cockermouth Mountain Rescue Team (opens in new tab)

Do you have to scramble on Fleetwith Pike?

No — only if you choose Fleetwith Edge. That ridge involves some easy hands-on scrambling and exposure. If you'd rather avoid it entirely, the route from the top of Honister Pass reaches the same summit on good paths with no scrambling at all.

So you can enjoy this fine little peak whether or not you want the airy ridge.

Sources: Honister Slate Mine — Fleetwith Pike walk (opens in new tab)

Where do you park for Fleetwith Pike? Answered above: Parking for Fleetwith Pike.

What should I wear and take up Fleetwith Pike?

Wear proper walking boots with good grip — both routes are rough and rocky, and Fleetwith Edge is steep and slippery when wet. Carry warm and waterproof layers, as the summit above Buttermere is exposed and windy.

Take a map and compass, water, food and a charged phone, and check the mountain forecast. If you're on Fleetwith Edge, keep clear of the drops and treat it as a serious route in wind, wet or winter conditions.

Sources: MWIS — Lake District forecast (opens in new tab)

Questions from Google’s “People also ask”. · Last updated 2026-06-14 · Suggest a question or correction (opens in new tab)

Fleetwith Pike

Summit conditions on Fleetwith Pike

Wind on the top

Rain, and the becks

Routes up Fleetwith Pike

Is Fleetwith Pike hard to climb?

Conditions and 7-day summit forecast

Parking & buses for Fleetwith Pike

Parking

Where do you park for Fleetwith Pike?

Buses

Hazards on Fleetwith Pike

Hazard & Incident Information for Fleetwith Pike

Navigating in cloud

If you need Mountain Rescue

Map, GPX and nearby Birketts

Birketts within 3 km of Fleetwith Pike

Routes over Fleetwith Pike

On the hill: terrain and water on Fleetwith Pike

Water & shelter on the way up

About Fleetwith Pike

My Strava hikes over Fleetwith Pike

Classifications & hill data

Is Fleetwith Pike a Wainwright?

Selected lists

The view from Fleetwith Pike

The 360° skyline from Fleetwith Pike

Sunrise and sunset on Fleetwith Pike

Last light — when the sun leaves Fleetwith Pike

What you can see from Fleetwith Pike

Places to stay near this fell

Frequently asked questions about Fleetwith Pike

Other fells near Fleetwith Pike