Buttermere to Rannerdale Walk

From the car park you cross the road to a stile and a narrow grassy track that steepens as it climbs the fellside. A left-hand track leads onto the ridge of Rannerdale Knotts, where the path undulates along the crest to the summit. The descent is a narrow winding grassy line with a short, very steep stone-pitched section dropping towards Crummock Water. From there you cross the road, follow the lakeshore and the woodland at Nether How, then take the footbridge and return through the valley to the start.

Rated moderate overall, though fairly strenuous in any weather, and around 5 out of 10 in practice. The climb is short but sustained, the ridge is open and exposed to wind, and the ground is rough and grassy in places with stiles and gates along the way. No scrambling is needed. The stone-pitched descent is the crux: it is steep and can be slippery when wet, so take it slowly and consider using it as a place to pause rather than rush. Sturdy boots and weatherproof clothing are the right call, since fell weather changes quickly.

The ridge is the payoff, with Buttermere on one side, Crummock Water on the other and high fells filling the horizon. The lakeshore stretch keeps you close to open water and the woodland at Nether How gives a quieter, more enclosed finish. Crummock Water is cold and deep, and the route needs no water access at any point.

Clear conditions make the biggest difference to the ridge panorama. Early morning or late afternoon light helps with reflections on the lakes and brings out relief in the surrounding fells. The summit ridge and the upper part of the descent give the widest outlooks.

Herdwick sheep graze these fells, so dogs are welcome on leads only and this is a standing rule rather than a seasonal one. Sheep are moved off during lambing periods, but keep dogs leashed throughout regardless.

Start at the National Trust car park at grid reference NY172172, near Buttermere, a few steps from the route start across the road. The village has toilets, a cafe and a pub. Parking is popular and tends to fill early on summer weekends, so an early arrival helps. If you would rather avoid the climb, the Buttermere Circular is a longer, gentler low-level lakeshore circuit with far less ascent. Choose this route when you want a short summit and ridge experience in a couple of hours.