Great Borne & Starling Dodd

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Red Pike (Buttermere) (3.2 km, 647 m)

   Climb of about 647 m over 3.2 km (around 20% average).

   Leave the valley floor and ascend steeply through the woodland, following the pitched stone path alongside the cascades of Sour Milk Gill. Emerge from the trees to skirt the edge of Bleaberry Tarn, before confronting the brutally steep, direct pull up the deeply eroded red scar on the fellside to arrive at the summit of Red Pike

   Waypoints

   Buttermere lakeshore, Burtness Wood, Sour Milk Gill, Bleaberry Tarn (460m), The Saddle, Red Pike summit (755m)

   Decision point

   The pitched path up through the woods is unmistakable. Once at Bleaberry Tarn, the route up Red Pike is visually obvious—aim directly for the massive, eroded red scar rising straight up the fellside ahead of you

   Easy to get wrong

   This is one of the most punishing ascents in the north-western fells. The final 300 meters of elevation from Bleaberry Tarn is a gruelling slog up loose, shifting red syenite scree. It is physically exhausting, requiring a "two steps up, one step sliding back" effort, and is particularly treacherous in descent or after heavy rain

   If you need to get off

   If the legs are failing or the weather turns, the safest and easiest bail point is at Bleaberry Tarn. Simply turn around here and follow the secure, pitched path back down through Burtness Wood to Buttermere

2. 2

   Red Pike (Buttermere) → Starling Dodd (2.0 km, 65 m)

   Climb of about 65 m over 2.0 km (around 3% average).

   Depart the rocky summit of Red Pike and head generally west, enjoying a welcome reprieve as the terrain transitions from harsh rock to sweeping grass. Descend gently into a wide, undulating saddle before taking on the modest, steady grassy pull up to the summit of Starling Dodd

   Waypoints

   Red Pike western ridge, grassy saddle, Starling Dodd summit (633m)

   Decision point

   An old, intermittent wire fence line runs along this broad ridge. Use it as a reliable handrail to guide you across the saddle. The summit of Starling Dodd is uniquely identifiable by its cairn made entirely of twisted, rusted iron and metal posts

   Easy to get wrong

   A stark contrast to the brutal ascent of Red Pike, this section offers fast, easy walking. However, the broad, grassy depression between the fells holds water and can become a squelchy, boggy trudge after prolonged Lake District rain

   If you need to get off

   Bailing directly off the flanks of this broad ridge is not recommended as it leads to pathless, steep terrain. In an emergency, it is faster and safer to retrace your steps to Red Pike and descend carefully to Bleaberry Tarn, or push on to the next col to drop into Ennerdale

3. 3

   Starling Dodd → Great Borne (2.2 km, 135 m)

   Climb of about 135 m over 2.2 km (around 6% average).

   Leave the rusted summit of Starling Dodd and drop westwards into a deep, grassy col. Navigate the often wet ground of the depression before tackling the steady, sometimes pathless drag up the eastern flank of Great Borne to reach its broad summit plateau and trig point

   Waypoints

   Starling Dodd western descent, grassy col (approx 500m), Great Borne eastern flank, Great Borne summit (616m)

   Decision point

   Continue to use the boundary fence line as your primary handrail; it traverses the col and leads faithfully up the slope of Great Borne towards the summit shelter and the concrete trig pillar

   Easy to get wrong

   The path frequently braids and disappears in the boggy col between these two fells. The terrain up Great Borne is largely grassy but highly tussocky, which can quickly sap energy from tired legs if you lose the main trod

   If you need to get off

   From the col between Starling Dodd and Great Borne, a rough escape route can be picked southwards down the grassy slopes into the Ennerdale valley to reach the forestry tracks, though this leaves you geographically isolated from Buttermere

4. Great Borne → Finish (8.6 km, 253 m)

   Climb of about 253 m over 8.6 km (around 3% average).

   Leave Great Borne by descending its steep, rough northern flanks toward the marshy expanse of Floutern Tarn. Navigate the notoriously boggy ground heading east along Floutern Pass, picking up the path that drops steadily beside the ravine of Scale Force, before enjoying a long, undulating walk along the shores of Crummock Water back to Buttermere

   Waypoints

   Great Borne northern descent, Floutern Tarn, Floutern Pass, Scale Force waterfall, Crummock Water lakeshore path, Buttermere village

   Decision point

   In poor visibility, dropping off Great Borne requires a precise northerly bearing to safely hit Floutern Tarn and avoid the steeper crags to the west. Once past the bogs of the pass, the distinct ravine of Scale Force funnels you safely down to the lakeshore track

   Easy to get wrong

   The initial descent off Great Borne is craggy and requires careful footwork. The area around Floutern Tarn is infamous for deep, boot-swallowing peat bogs that remain saturated year-round. Later, the rock slabs around the descent near Scale Force can be highly polished and slick

   If you need to get off

   Once you drop north off Great Borne, you are committed to the long walk out via the pass. If the bogs around Floutern Tarn are dangerously deep, stay as high as possible on the drier flanks of the fells to the south of the pass until you reach the firmer ground above Scale Force