Buttermere
A small lake cradled by mountains. Its roughly 7 km flat lakeside path is hailed as one of Britain’s most beautiful short walks.
Buttermere is about 2 km long and is embraced by Red Pike, High Stile and Haystacks, with lone pine trees along the shore. It is one of the most iconic postcard views in the Lake District. The lakeside loop is about 7 km and takes 2 to 3 hours. It is mostly flat, with a short tunnel cut through the rock on the southern shore. At the northern end, the village of Buttermere has two old pubs and a farm ice-cream shop. From Keswick, it takes about 30 minutes by car via Honister Pass. In summer, bus route 77 runs a loop service. Parking in the village is limited, so arrive early.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Honister Pass & Slate Mine
- Wast Water
- Scafell Pike
- Catbells
- Keswick & Derwentwater
- Hardknott Pass & Roman Fort
- Castlerigg Stone Circle
- Muncaster Castle