Buttermere Circular

Overview

About Buttermere Circular

A circular loop of 4.7 miles / 7.5 km, measured as the complete circuit rather than an out and back, with only about 67 m of ascent and a typical time of around 3 hours with ordinary stops. Rated easy overall, 3/10, but not smooth or step free throughout.

Why go

Low-level route with big fell views
Lake shore, woodland, streams, and a rock tunnel
Modest ascent for a full circuit

Heads up

Narrow, rocky sections and one short rock step
Popular access and early parking pressure

Map & elevation

The route

Loading the Lake District map

Full map

Elevation101–118 m

TrailheadButtermere village (by the Bridge Hotel)54.54121, -3.27674

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Plan your hike

Before you go

Parking

Use the National Trust Buttermere car park on the village outskirts (CA13 9UZ), or the Lake District National Park car park behind the Bridge Hotel. Both are a short walk from the village access; parking is busy early on popular days. Public toilets and refreshments are in the village.

Best time to go

This is one of the valley's most popular walks and car parks fill early on busy days. Starting early or setting out later in the day gives a calmer atmosphere and better parking odds. The loop works in either direction, and walking it anticlockwise is the common recommendation.

Safety

One short road and verge section and one rocky step may require hands; narrow rough paths can be slippery when wet. A short permissive path on the north shore closes annually from early April through the end of June for nesting sandpipers, so follow the waymarked alternatives.

8 active Lake District alerts

ClosureChapel Stile footpath closed for retaining-wall riskPart of Footpath 543030 between Chapel Stile and Baysbrown campsite is closed because a retaining wall beside the path could collapse and material it supports could fall across the footpath.Official details
ClosureStanley Ghyll Lower Falls footpath closed for rockfallThe section of Footpath 408037 leading towards Stanley Ghyll Lower Falls is closed because severe rockfall damage has made the path unstable and further rockfall remains a danger.Official details

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Lake District Tour Guide

Your drive to Buttermere Circular, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Lake District National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this trailhead

Buttermere: Lakeshore and Village

0:00 / 1:10

“You're nearing Buttermere village, where a low-level lakeshore walk puts you right beneath the high fells.”

Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Lake District Tour Guide.

Hiking Buttermere Circular

The walkFrom Buttermere village near the Bridge Hotel a lane drops to the water, then the path runs…

From Buttermere village near the Bridge Hotel a lane drops to the water, then the path runs through fields and woodland along the shore, passing Sourmilk Gill with views to Fleetwith Pike, Haystacks, High Stile and Red Pike. At the far end of the lake the route crosses Peggy's Bridge by Gatesgarth Farm, uses a short road and verge stretch, then returns along the opposite shore through Crag Wood and the rock cut Hassness tunnel, a 19th century pedestrian passage, before rejoining the village.

Footing and difficultyMostly level graded paths, with easy going on the opening stretch

Mostly level graded paths, with easy going on the opening stretch
The far shore is narrower and rockier, with rough sections
One short rock step where hands may be needed briefly
A short section on road and verge near Gatesgarth
No sustained climbing and no serious exposure, though the lakeside path is uneven in places

Scenery and photographyLake and fell views are almost continuous, with easy shore access, reflections on calm water,…

Lake and fell views are almost continuous, with easy shore access, reflections on calm water, streams and woodland shade. Clear or still conditions give the strongest reflections, and early morning or late afternoon light suits the fells across the water while keeping the paths quieter.

Seasonal patternA short stretch of permissive footpath along the north edge of the lake is closed each year…

A short stretch of permissive footpath along the north edge of the lake is closed each year from early April to the end of June to protect nesting sandpipers. Waymarked alternatives keep the circuit walkable throughout that period.

Access and rulesStart in Buttermere village, close to the Bridge Hotel

Start in Buttermere village, close to the Bridge Hotel
A National Trust car park sits on the edge of the village, and a national park car park lies behind the Bridge Hotel, both a short walk from the lane down to the lake
Public toilets and refreshments are available in the village
Bus services reach the valley
Dogs are welcome but must be kept under close control around livestock and wildlife

Wildlife

Wildlife in Lake District

All Lake District wildlife maps

81 sightingsRed DeerMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

13 sightingsEurasian OtterMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

76 sightingsOspreyMost seen around 8 AMSighting map

51 sightingsEuropean BadgerMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

233 sightingsMute SwanMost seen around 6 PMSighting map

176 sightingsGrey HeronMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Lake District. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.