The Buttermere Ridge

The walk, stage by stage

1. 1

   Start → Seat (5.4 km, 472 m)

   Climb of about 472 m over 5.4 km (around 9% average).

   Typically starting from Buttermere village, this route begins with an extended, flat walk-in along the beautiful southern shore of Buttermere lake. After approximately 3 kilometers of easy gravel paths, the route reaches the head of the lake near Gatesgarth Farm. From here, the real work begins. The path cuts up the fellside, tackling the heavily pitched, zigzagging stone path of Scarth Gap Pass. Upon reaching the saddle at Scarth Gap, leave the main pass for the final pull to the summit of Seat: turn right and climb west-north-west up the steep, grassy and rocky nose.

   Waypoints

   Buttermere Village (approx. 100m): The valley-bottom starting point. Buttermere Lakeshore Path: The flat, gravel trail shadowing the water. Peggy's Bridge / Gatesgarth: The crossing point at the head of the lake. Scarth Gap Pass (approx. 445m): The major crossroads saddle between Haystacks and High Crag. Seat Summit (561m): A minor, heathery prominence acting as a stepping stone to the high ridge.

   Decision point

   Buttermere Lake: The lake is a handrail for the first hour of the walk. Scarth Gap: The saddle is an obvious geographical feature, with a crossroads where paths diverge to Ennerdale, Haystacks, and High Crag.

   Easy to get wrong

   Pacing: The long, flat lake walk can tempt you to set off too fast, leaving you breathless when you abruptly hit the steep stone steps of Scarth Gap. Heat Trap: The ascent of Scarth Gap is sheltered and west-facing. In summer, this enclosed bowl becomes a suffocating heat trap with little breeze. Rocky Steps: The final pull from Scarth Gap up to Seat requires high-stepping over broken rock and heather.

   If you need to get off

   Before leaving Scarth Gap to climb Seat, you can easily bail by turning around and following the clear, pitched path back down to Gatesgarth.

2. 2

   Seat → High Crag (Buttermere) (0.9 km, 201 m)

   Climb of about 201 m over 0.9 km (around 22% average).

   From Seat, drop slightly into a minor saddle before confronting Gamlin End—the notoriously steep, eastern face of High Crag. This is a brutal, breathless ascent. The gradient ramps up to a 21% average. The terrain here is deeply eroded, loose scree mixed with awkwardly pitched stone steps that have been installed to halt the erosion. It is a true thigh-burner that demands a slow, methodical pace.

   Waypoints

   Gamlin End: The ferociously steep eastern flank of High Crag. High Crag Summit (744m): A rocky, shattered summit marking your arrival on the main Buttermere ridge, offering plunging views down into the Ennerdale valley.

   Decision point

   The Ridge Line: The topography boxes you in. There is only one way up Gamlin End; stick strictly to the path of least resistance on the crest.

   Easy to get wrong

   Loose Scree: Gamlin End is infamous for its poor footing. The scree slides away under your boots, and the pitched stones are often loose or polished. Mental Challenge: The climb looks intimidating from the bottom and offers no false summits—it is just a relentless, vertical grind.

   If you need to get off

   If the gradient is too much, carefully retreat down Gamlin End to Scarth Gap. Take extreme care, as descending this loose scree is highly conducive to slips and ankle rolls.

3. 3

   High Crag (Buttermere) → High Stile (Grey Crag - High Stile) (1.6 km, 115 m)

   Descent of about 43 m, then a climb of about 115 m, over 1.6 km.

   Once on High Crag, the sheer effort of Gamlin End is rewarded with one of the finest ridge walks in the Lake District. The route heads north-west along the broad, rocky crest. You will drop into a shallow, stony saddle before beginning the moderate, undulating ascent toward Grey Crag—the south-eastern subsidiary top of the High Stile massif. The walking here is rocky but spectacular, flanked by enormous drops on both sides.

   Waypoints

   The Ridge Saddle: The stony depression between High Crag and High Stile. Grey Crag / High Stile South-East Top (approx. 800m): The prominent rocky bump preceding the true summit.

   Decision point

   Boundary Fence Remnants: A dilapidated wire fence / old boundary line traces the crest of the ridge for much of this route. Follow it as a perfect structural handrail. The Valley Floor: The twin lakes of Buttermere and Crummock Water sit dramatically in the trench to your right (north).

   Easy to get wrong

   Burtness Comb Crags: The northern edge of this ridge drops vertically into the dark, glacial bowl of Burtness Comb. These are deadly cliffs. Stay well back from the edge, especially in high winds or winter when cornices form. Exposure: This high ridge takes the unmitigated force of any weather rolling in from the Irish Sea. There is absolutely no safe descent directly north into Burtness Comb or directly south into Ennerdale. The crags here are vertical and fatal.

   If you need to get off

   Retreat: In a severe emergency, you must retrace your steps east to descend Gamlin End, or push forward to the Red Pike descent.

4. 4

   High Stile (Grey Crag - High Stile) → High Stile (0.3 km, 2 m)

   Undulating section of about 0.3 km.

   A very brief, almost entirely flat traverse across the highest point of the ridge. You are walking across a rocky, shattered plateau connecting the subsidiary top of Grey Crag to the true summit of High Stile.

   Waypoints

   High Stile Summit (807m): The highest point of the entire Buttermere ridge, marked by a cairn sitting slightly back from the terrifying northern drops.

   Decision point

   The Fence Line: Continue using the rusty fence posts as your primary guide across the plateau.

   Easy to get wrong

   Clag Navigation: The summit plateau is surprisingly wide and flat. In thick mist, it can be disorienting, and wandering too far north will lead you straight off the edge of Chapel Crags.

   If you need to get off

   Push forward. You are at the highest point of the day; the descent route lies ahead at Red Pike.

5. 5

   High Stile → Red Pike (Buttermere) (1.2 km, 49 m)

   Descent of about 93 m, then a climb of about 49 m, over 1.2 km.

   From High Stile, the path drops north-west, contouring the rim of Chapel Crags before dipping into a distinct saddle. The terrain here begins to change dramatically. As you leave the saddle and tackle the short, 41m ascent to Red Pike, the grey volcanic rock gives way to striking, vibrant red syenite. The path to the summit is a steep, loose scramble up this red scree.

   Waypoints

   Chapel Crags Saddle: The depression separating High Stile from Red Pike. Red Pike Summit (755m): A sharply pointed, heavily eroded summit of bright red rock.

   Decision point

   Color Change: The sudden transition to red rock is a geological handrail confirming you are on the final ascent to Red Pike. Bleaberry Tarn: The dark, circular pool of Bleaberry Tarn will become visible far below you in the corrie to your right.

   Easy to get wrong

   Erosion: The red syenite rock is incredibly crumbly. The paths here are deeply scarred, loose, and dusty in summer. Crag Edges: The right-hand (eastern) side of the saddle between the two peaks drops sheerly away; give it a wide berth.

   If you need to get off

   You must reach Red Pike to access the usual descent route. Do not attempt to bail off the ridge line prematurely.

6. 6

   Red Pike (Buttermere) → Dodd (Buttermere) (0.5 km, 7 m)

   Descent of about 115 m over 0.5 km.

   This is one of the most infamous descents in the national park. From the summit of Red Pike, the route drops north-east towards the subsidiary spur of Dodd. This section is a shockingly steep, plunging chute of loose red scree. It is effectively a treadmill of sliding rocks, requiring extreme care and a low center of gravity to navigate without falling.

   Waypoints

   The Red Scree Descent: The heavily scarred, deeply eroded path dropping off the summit. Dodd Summit (641m): A minor, flattened spur that offers a brief, grassy respite from the scree.

   Decision point

   The Spur: Dodd is clearly visible below you to the north-east as a flattened prominence. Aim directly for it to ensure you stay on the main descent path.

   Easy to get wrong

   Slip Hazard: The scree here acts like marbles on a tilted floor. Slips, cuts, and rolled ankles are incredibly common. Trekking poles are highly recommended to maintain three points of contact. Dust and Mud: In dry weather, you will kick up clouds of red dust. In the rain, this path turns into a greasy, red mudslide.

   If you need to get off

   Once you start down the red scree, you are fully committed to the descent. Take it slow and allow distance between yourself and other walkers to avoid kicking rocks down onto them.

7. Dodd (Buttermere) → Finish (3.5 km, 166 m)

   Descent of about 548 m, then a climb of about 166 m, over 3.5 km.

   From Dodd, the path heads south-east, dropping aggressively down the steep, heather-clad fellside to reach the shores of Bleaberry Tarn. After crossing the tarn's outflow, the route picks up the Sour Milk Gill descent. This is a relentlessly steep, heavily pitched stone staircase that threads its way down through pine trees and alongside roaring waterfalls. Once you hit the valley floor, the final stretch is a rolling walk through the woods and pastures back to Buttermere village. (Note: The 168m of ascent in this stage accounts for the undulating terrain around the tarn and the rolling valley-bottom tracks returning to the village.)

   Waypoints

   Bleaberry Tarn (approx. 400m): The glacial corrie tarn providing a beautiful mid-descent break. Sour Milk Gill: The roaring cascades guiding the steepest part of the descent. Burtness Wood: The dense forestry plantation at the base of the fell. Buttermere Village: The finish point.

   Decision point

   Sour Milk Gill: Once you leave the tarn, the roaring white water of the gill is your handrail. Keep it to your left and follow it all the way to the valley floor. The Lake: Once out of the woods, Buttermere lake and the paths to the village are obvious and highly signposted.

   Easy to get wrong

   Knee-Shattering Steps: The pitched stone path beside Sour Milk Gill is exceptionally steep and will brutally test tired knees at the end of the day. Slippery Rock: The stone steps are often coated in spray from the gill and algae from the trees, making them lethal when wet. Beck Crossing: You must hop across the outflow of Bleaberry Tarn, which can be tricky after heavy rain.

   If you need to get off

   This is the final exit route. Keep to the pitched path alongside the gill; do not wander off into the steep, trackless crags of Burtness Wood. Once on the valley floor, you are off the fell.