Buttermere Valley
Lake District, Cumbria
Flanked by grassy peaks, this scenic glacier-sculpted valley includes three lakes: Loweswater, Buttermere, and Crummock Water. With easily scalable fells such as Haystacks, pretty lakeside footpaths, and natural wonders including Scale Force Waterfall—the highest waterfall in the Lake District—Buttermere is prime turf for walkers.
The basics
Buttermere Valley is a popular location for walkers, with the village of Buttermere often serving as their base. Enjoy a gentle 4.5-mile (7-kilometer) walk around the lake-edge path at Buttermere Lake, or embark on more challenging routes up nearby fells such as High Stile, Red Pike, and Haystacks, the hill made famous by British guidebook author Alfred Wainwright.
Day tours of the Lake District typically make short photo stops at scenic locales in the valley, as well as other big attractions, such as Lake Windermere, Rydal Water, and Castlerigg Stone Circle. Multi-day tours of the Lake District also pass through the valley, sometimes lingering here for longer, allowing travelers to enjoy the beautiful landscapes.
Things to know before you go
- If you are climbing fells, appropriate footwear is a must as paths can be muddy.
- Find restrooms, a café, and pubs in Buttermere village.
- The path on the southwest shore of Buttermere Lake is wheelchair-accessible.
- Drive carefully as sheep often wander out from unfenced fields onto roads in this area.
How to get there
If you’re driving, follow the B5289 from Keswick or the B5292 from Cockermouth, turning right onto the B5289 at Lorton. Between April and October, the Honister Rambler bus service 77 runs from Keswick to Buttermere.
When to get there
Buttermere Valley is beautiful year-round but the fall colors are especially picturesque. In spring, carpets of bluebells erupt in the valley between Crummock Water and Buttermere. Visits outside of peak season (June–August) will be more tranquil.
Walking the Buttermere Valley
Buttermere Valley is a walker’s dream, with trails and paths crisscrossing the area. The short 0.5-mile (0.8-kilometer) level path from Lanthwaite Wood parking lot offers amazing views for minimal effort, leading through a red squirrel-inhabited forest before opening up onto the edge of Crummock Water. For a more challenging walk, opt for the 2-hour return walk from Buttermere to Scale Force Waterfall, which drops from a height of 170 feet (51.8 meters).
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