This easy 7.4km circular walk around Buttermere is flat and family friendly. It also offers some of the most stunning mountain views in the Lake District without much effort. Buttermere is one of the most beautiful lakes in the Lake District and the drive in either via Honister Pass or the Newlands Pass are both adventures in their own right. The water glistens on a sunny day, calling you to its shores, and the mountains surround Buttermere and its neighbour Crummock water, giving the area a remote feel. This is definitely a walk not to miss!
Where is the parking for Buttermere circular walk?
Luckily there are a few parking spots for the walk around Buttermere but they do fill up quickly on a nice day. This is a popular area so arrive early or later in the evening for a sunset stroll around the lake.
This is a larger car park which is free to park in for National Trust members. It is just a few minutes outside Buttermere itself above the village. Pay and display and card accepted.
A car park with space for around 30 cars in Buttermere village with a public toilet opposite. Pay and display and card accepted.
A small car park opposite a farm. £4 for the day, coins only.
Is there public transport to Buttermere?
The Buttermere shuttle bus runs over the summer season at weekends and on Bank Holiday Mondays between Cockermouth and Buttermere. It runs several times a day and costs £2 for a single. Children under 5 travel for free.
Find out more information about the shuttle bus here.
How long is the Buttermere circular walk?
The whole circular walk is only 7.4km so shouldn’t take any more than a couple of hours. However, depending on any stops or detours you take, as well as walking speed, this could be longer or shorter. Over the summer months, there is sometimes a delicious ice cream stand at Gatesgarth Farm so a stop here is a must.
Is the Buttermere circular walk family friendly?
Suitable for a family walk, the route is mostly flat along the lake shore and the paths are well maintained and wide. However, as with all outdoor spaces, be mindful of rough sections, slippery rocks in wet weather and trip hazards from loose stones and rocks.
Are there facilities on the Buttermere circular walk?
There are no facilities on the walk. However, Buttermere village has a hotel, restaurants, pubs, a cafe, public toilets and baby changing facilities. Sometimes there is a pop up cafe that opens at Gatesgarth Farm.
Can you swim in or paddleboard on Buttermere?
Yes! Buttermere is a perfect place for a swim or a paddleboard. At the Buttermere end of the lake, the water is shallow for quite a way out and a small beach area makes this the perfect place to sit, start your swim from and to launch your paddleboard from.
Buttermere circular walk route and map from Buttermere village
- Starting at Buttermere village, follow the path out the back of the Buttermere Court Hotel/pub and keep left, following the path down to the lake side.
2. Before the footbridge, you can go either way around the lake but this route heads left, along the stony shore towards the wooded area.
3. Follow the path through the trees, keeping the lake on your right hand side. The path passes through a large stone tunnel (which is fun for both kids and adults) before the views open out to the mountains.
4. The path eventually cuts onto the road for a short section before Gatesgarth car park and the little ice cream stand/cafe that is sometimes open there. At the car park, the path heads right, through the farm and over a bridge across the stream.
5. Keeping right, the lake is still on your right hand side as you follow the lower path along the edge of the shore, taking you through Burtness Wood and back to your starting point.
Download the route on the Komoot App
Have you ever tried Komoot? Komoot allows you to access routes planned by others or plan your own which you can then download to your phone to follow while you are out. Komoot is free to join and access and you can find the route for his walk here.
What else is there to do in Buttermere?
The Buttermere Valley is home to a range of activities; from the via ferrata at Honister Slate mine, Moss Force waterfall, the Buttermere wild swimming infinity pool as well as some wonderful hiking as well as its neighbour Crummock Water.
Check some of these activities out here;
Honister Slate Mine via ferrata
An exciting adventure centre set within a working mine offering an extreme via ferrata, mine tours, an infinity bridge and canyoning.
Moss Force Waterfall
A huge waterfall just a 5 minute walk from the car parking area on Newlands Pass. The main waterfall pool is even deep enough for a swim.
Buttermere infinity pool
The gorgeous pools and waterfalls on Warnscale Beck are well worth a visit. They are popular and can get very busy but if you arrive and there’s already people swimming there, try walking just 5 minutes further up the waterfall and you’ll find some true hidden gems.
Hike to Haystacks and the Warnscale bothyThe views on this hike are beautiful and a visit to the bothy to see the view from the window is worth it just for that! Check out this route on the OS app.
Places to stay in Buttermere
The Buttermere Court Hotel
Located not far from the lake itself, this hotel has free parking, great food and a bar to enjoy.
YHA Buttermere
An ideal place to start the hike for Haystacks, the hostel mainly offers dorm rooms but private rooms with a shared bathroom are available.
Syke Farm Campsite
Directly located in Buttermere village, this campsite has spaces for tents as well as yurts and shepherd’s huts.
Let me know if you visit Buttermere and do the circular walk; I’d love to hear from you!
For additional UK outdoor adventures, wild swimming, hiking routes and more, check out my other blog posts and follow me @Wild_0utdoors on Instagram.