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Red Pike (Buttermere) – Bleaberry Tarn loop from Buttermere

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Red Pike (Buttermere) – Bleaberry Tarn loop from Buttermere

Moderate

4.6

(18)

123

hikers

Red Pike (Buttermere) – Bleaberry Tarn loop from Buttermere

03:58

9.43km

660m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: May 26, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

218 m

Buttermere Village

Highlight • Viewpoint

Buttermere is an achingly beautiful village in the western Lake District. Situated between Crummock Water and Buttermere and sitting in the shadow of many superb fells, the permutations for walks are many and varied. It caters for hikers very well, with two pubs, a couple of cafes, a youth hostel, a campsite and holiday cottages.

Its beauty is such that, despite its remote location, it is immensely popular with families, walkers and hikers. The roads around the village are notoriously narrow and bendy and jams are common. Try to avoid peak times and public holidays to get the most out of the place.

Tip by

5.89 km

Red Pike (Buttermere)

Highlight • Climb

So called due to the red coloured soil and stone, do be careful going down Red Pike as the paths have all but eroded and its mainly loose stones. If you park at Buttermere village and make Red Pike your first climb, then you can more or less keep going all day. High Stile, High Crag, Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike, Honister, and Dale Head are all on a circular route if you have the energy and time.

Tip by

6.63 km

Bleaberry Tarn

Highlight • Viewpoint

When describing the High Stile range, Alfred Wainwright described Bleaberry Tarn as lying 'in the central recess like a jewel'. It's situation at the base of the hanging valley of Bleaberry Comb is magnificent, with the impressive peaks of Red Pike and High Stile high above. It also offers great views towards Grasmoor and the other high peaks of the North Western Fells.

The tarn is easily reached from the village of Buttermere and is often visited on an ascent of Red Pike, the shapely high summit on the northwestern end of the High Stile range. A visit to the subsidiary summit of Dodd is well worth it too, even if it isn't a Wainwright.

Tip by

7.09 km

View of Buttermere Lake

Highlight • Viewpoint

Parts of this hike along side Sour Gill are steep, I recommend having a hiking pole for the journey back down. The views are great, the stone path up through the forest was magical. I didn’t see a sole on the hike, probably not a popular trail. I was trying for Red Pike but the scree slope near the top of it put me off. I made do with the Dodd instead, a worthy compromise. I left Buttermere village in the morning and was back for lunch. Lots of Sun and temperature changes, have layers with you and sun protection just in case :)

Tip by

7.17 km

View of Crummock Water from Old Burtness

Highlight • Forest

From Bleaberry Tarn there is a well made but steep path down through the woods next to Buttermere, here i saw my first Cuckoo..

Tip by

8.28 km

Sourmilk Gill Waterfall

Highlight • Waterfall

Sourmilk Gill starts life atop of the Saddle. As you can see, by the time it reaches Buttermere lake, it is an impressive sight.

Tip by

8.38 km

View of Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere

Highlight • Viewpoint

From the edge of Buttermere looking over to Fleetwith, Black Star, and Honister Quarry. Nice place to take a rest after coming down the stone steps from the Fells, be warned the bridge over the Gill is out of action (17.6 19) there is a half km diversion.

Tip by

8.58 km

Sour Milk Gill Waterfall

Highlight • Waterfall

This place is not far from Buttermere, the silver water of Sour Milk Gill cascades down from Bleaberry Tarn.

Tip by

9.43 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

4.06 km

2.56 km

2.45 km

236 m

102 m

Surfaces

3.77 km

2.56 km

2.47 km

440 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (720 m)

Lowest point (100 m)

Weather

Thursday 25 June

28°C

16°C

35 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Red Pike (Buttermere) – Bleaberry Tarn loop from Buttermere

Buttermere Village

Red Pike (Buttermere)

Bleaberry Tarn

View of Buttermere Lake

View of Crummock Water from Old Burtness

Sourmilk Gill Waterfall

View of Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere

Sour Milk Gill Waterfall

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