Bleaberry Tarn, Red Pike and Dodd

Lanes and fields lead out of the village, over footbridges near Buttermere Dubs and Sourmilk Gill, then into Burtness Wood where a steep pitched path zigzags up beside the gill. Above the trees the ground opens out, crosses two small streams and some rough bog, and arrives at Bleaberry Tarn in its bowl. From there it is loose red scree to Red Pike, back down to the col, then a short grassy pull to Dodd before retracing the whole line to the village.

This is an energetic hard fell walk. Expect pitched stone and rock steps, uneven open fell, boggy patches, small stream crossings, and scree on Red Pike that shifts underfoot like marbles. There is occasional hands-on rock, and steep ground with crags nearby, so keep to the path where it is clear. In the wet the descent through the pitched sections and the scree is genuinely slippery, and poles help.

Buttermere and Crummock Water sit below almost the whole way up, with the western fells, Ennerdale, the Solway coast and southern Scotland visible on clear days. Dodd swings the view round toward Grasmoor, Robinson, the Newlands fells and Blencathra. Red Pike takes its name from the ruddy scree and subsoil linked to its syenite minerals, and Bleaberry Tarn is a glacial corrie tarn cupped between Red Pike and High Stile.

Dogs are allowed but need close control around livestock and on the steep, craggy sections. There is water at the tarn and nothing dependable above it, so fill up before the final climbs and carry enough for the whole round. Park in the signed village car parks on the outskirts or behind the Bridge Hotel, and arrive early on busy days. If the ascent sounds like too much, the Buttermere Circular stays low, with woodland, lake shore and a short rock tunnel, and it pairs well with this route on a two-day visit.