Fleetwith Pike

It depends entirely on the route. Fleetwith Pike (648 m / 2,126 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.

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)

From the top of Honister Pass allow about 1.5–2 hours for the round trip. The steeper Fleetwith Edge route from Gatesgarth, usually done as a circuit returning past Warnscale or Haystacks, is a bigger day of around 3.5–5 hours depending on how far you extend it.

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 cross at its foot marks where a young walker, Fanny Mercer, fell to her death in 1887 — 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)

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 — there's a safe walking option.

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

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)

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)