Buttermere Lake walk from Buttermere (in the Lake District) - Full Walk

Walk Summary
This Buttermere Lake circular walk from Buttermere in the Lake District takes approximately one hour and fifty minutes. This Buttermere walk must be one of the best lake walks in the Lake District National Park, if not in the UK. The views are stunning from the very start, and the mainly flat paths make it accessible for most.

We initially head down to Buttermere's north shoreline to reveal a wonderful view of the full length of the lake down to Fleetwith Pike. Then, on to the close by Sourmilk Gill before heading down the west shore of Buttermere, which also affords delightful views back across to the mountains rising from the eastern shore of Buttermere.

The return leg, up the eastern side of Buttermere, is a little rougher underfoot in places, but still provides magnificent views back across to Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks and then round to High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike, all rising from the western shore.

Full walk description, OS map showing route & GPX route download available on our website
https://w4all.uk/3m4i8

KITLIST - What to wear and take on your walk - my current items used/recommendations

Kitlist contains affiliate links. If you buy products via these links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you to fund the after walk beer 🍺
WAINWRIGHT'S 7 VOLUME PICTORIAL GUIDES TO THE LAKELAND FELLS - BOXED SET https://w4all.uk/cr943
ORDNANCE SURVEY MAPPING APP There is a free version, but for price of a coffee/month you get unlimited OS maps on most devices/phones, with ability to import and export routes, save maps offline, aerial 3D & print A3/A4 maps
https://w4all.uk/qaaml
WALKING BOOTS Unless very wet or winter walking, my preference is boots/shoes without ankle support - that's not for everyone though. Having used fell running shoes for many years, I prefer the lightweight feel.
INOV-8 Trailfly Ultra G300 Max: New to me in 2022, now the choice for 70%+ of my walks. Training shoe cushioning, but fellshoe grip and stability - getting many best in test awards.
M:https://w4all.uk/nv1tp
W:https://w4all.uk/hpis6
INOV-8 Roclite G315 GTX - Waterproof and lightweight - they've been my mainstay for many years.
M:https://w4all.uk/c23cj
W:https://w4all.uk/2sn1c
SCARPA SL Activ - My winter walking boot - current pair now 7 years old
M:https://w4all.uk/tz9jv
INOV-8 Roclite G345 GTX - Lightweight, waterproof walking boot with ankle support
M:https://w4all.uk/gxvsx
W:https://w4all.uk/3g3cx
WALKING JACKET The all year round essential for your walks and hikes.
Mountain Equipment Men's Lhotse Jacket - Main winter jacket
M:https://w4all.uk/fa43z
Montane Pac Plus Jacket - Lightweight and waterproof
M:https://w4all.uk/gmwz0
Montane Gravity Gore-Tex Jacket
W:https://w4all.uk/uq9tw
RUCKSACK/BACKPACK
Osprey Talon 33 Daypack https://w4all.uk/xe7et
Lowe Alpine AirZone Active 22L Daypack https://w4all.uk/4g97a
BASE LAYER
Rab Pulse LS Zip Baselayer Top - Longsleeve
M: https://w4all.uk/eqsth
W: https://w4all.uk/xa5ks
FLEECE
Inov-8 - Venturelite Mid Half Zip
M:https://w4all.uk/tqbln
W:https://w4all.uk/1qtmy
INSULATED JACKET
Rab Microlight Alpine ECO Down Jacket
M:https://w4all.uk/i5c7f
W:https://w4all.uk/fe4bw
WALKING TROUSERS
Haglofs Rugged Flex Pant
M:https://w4all.uk/07nvr
W:https://w4all.uk/3eel2
WALKING SHORTS
Montane Men's Terra Alpine Shorts
M:https://w4all.uk/pjyg9
Rab Women’s Lineal Hiking Shorts
W:https://w4all.uk/rfk0c
WALKING SOCKS
Bridgedale Ultra Light Merino Endurance Socks
M:https://w4all.uk/ypdeu
W:https://w4all.uk/brsjm
WATERPROOF OVERTROUSERS
Berghaus Maitland Overtrousers
M:https://w4all.uk/lcb0f
W:https://w4all.uk/qx9rd
GLOVES
Rab Power Stretch Contact Grip Glove
M:https://w4all.uk/3kgyg
W:https://w4all.uk/mp9c0
HAT/CAP
Inov-8 Race Elite Peak 2.0 https://w4all.uk/gx888
Tilley T5MO Organic Airflo Hat https://w4all.uk/qqi13
WALKING/FITNESS WATCH
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar Multisport GPS Watch https://w4all.uk/xk11r
WALKING POLES
Makalu Lite Trekking Pole https://w4all.uk/2rz4y
COMPASS
Silva Expedition 4 Compass https://w4all.uk/7nvhj
HEAD TORCH
Petzl Swift RL Headtorch https://w4all.uk/5c4ct
WATER PURIFIER
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter https://w4all.uk/evdsy
MULTI-TOOL
Victorinox Explorer Pocket Knife https://w4all.uk/16ibg
FIRST AID KIT
Light and Dry Micro First Aid Kit (add own medications) https://w4all.uk/zzcoe
POWER BANK
Venture 35 Battery Power Bank https://w4all.uk/ffj35

OVERNIGHT KIT
TENT 1-2 Man, 1.23kg, packs down very small
Terra Nova Laser Compact 2 Seam Tent https://w4all.uk/kt06u
SLEEPING BAG
Rab Ascent 700 Hydrophobic Down 3 SEASON Sleeping Bag
M:https://w4all.uk/3o5o4
W:https://w4all.uk/bayc3
COOKING
Jetboil MiniMo Personal Cooking System https://w4all.uk/r6m02

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
03:14 Arriving at Buttermere lake
04:59 Sourmilk Gill
13:08 Parking at Gatesgarth Farm
19:33 Syke Farm Tea Room
21:32 Bridge Hotel
22:01 Croft House Farm Cafe
22:13 Buttermere Court Hotel
22:48 OS Flythrough