Unusually, you can walk uninterrupted all the way around Buttermere. There is a path around the lake, about 4.5 miles long, which at one point runs through a rock tunnel beneath the village of Hasness.

Recommended Trails

Park in Buttermere Village and locate the Bridge Hotel near Mill Beck, then find the signpost for the entrance to Syke Farm, walk through the farm, through the gate at the far end of the buildings along the footpath ahead of you. At the edge of the following field there is a junction, turn right, along the signposted footpath which leads down to the water's edge.

Follow the footpath through an area of woodland and fields next to the lake, through the tunnel which is cut into the rock until the lakeshore comes close to the public road to the left. Keep walking along the edge of the road until you reach the entrance to Gatesgarth Farm. Turn right here following the footpath signposted Buttermere across farmland. After crossing the bridge over Warnscale Beck, turn right at the junction, not taking the Scarth Gap or Ennerdale footpaths.

Walk for approximately half a mile until the footpath splits, keep to the right at this junction following the footpath between the trees next to the lake. As you approach the lake there is another junction, take the right fork over the beck and walk over the narrow piece of land that separates Buttermere and Crannock Water, returning to Buttermere.

Location

Coordinates    54°32′N 3°16′W