STD

Buttermere Reflections

REX Jun 25, 2026 An anti-clockwise circuit of Buttermere in the relative cool of very early morning

Distance 4.81 miles, Time 2.10 h, Total Ascent 390 ft Imperial | Metric

REX SAYS: This was a fun walk with no climbing and I was off the lead a lot. It was cool around the lake and in the woods

Cool early morning, clear

The lake does not store images -
it performs them, briefly, in passing light

This is predicted to be the hottest day of the heatwave, so we are at Buttermere by 4:30 to enjoy the cool and tranquility.
We catch some beautiful reflections on this easy, peaceful circuit.

Buttermere Reflections - Image 2, Jun 25, 2026

4:30am, the only other person here is a professional photographer with a tripod
The fell front centre is Fleetwith Pike

Buttermere Reflections - Image 3, Jun 25, 2026

10 mins later, it is subtly growing lighter

Buttermere Reflections - Image 4, Jun 25, 2026

A glimpse of the sunrise in the direction of Newlands Hause

Buttermere Reflections - Image 5, Jun 25, 2026

We start the lakeside walk

Buttermere Reflections - Image 6, Jun 25, 2026

just as the early sun pops up

Buttermere Reflections - Image 7, Jun 25, 2026

Rex is enjoying the freedom

Buttermere Reflections - Image 8, Jun 25, 2026

Fleetwith Pike (L), Hay Stacks (R)

Buttermere Reflections - Image 9, Jun 25, 2026

Rex is thinking of starting up Scarth Gap

Buttermere Reflections - Image 10, Jun 25, 2026

This is the gate just before Peggy's Bridge

Buttermere Reflections - Image 11, Jun 25, 2026

A close up of Hay Stacks from the side

Buttermere Reflections - Image 12, Jun 25, 2026

Looking down the length of Buttermere in the other direction, from the road just past Gatesgarth

Buttermere Reflections - Image 13, Jun 25, 2026

At a sensible distance, we follow these sheep down the road for a while

Buttermere Reflections - Image 14, Jun 25, 2026

when suddenly they turn 180° and run back past us

Buttermere Reflections - Image 15, Jun 25, 2026

Fleetwith Pike and Hay Stacks nicely reflected

Buttermere Reflections - Image 16, Jun 25, 2026

Buttermere Reflections - Image 17, Jun 25, 2026

We stop for a while for Rex to play ball and to splash around a bit in the cool

Buttermere Reflections - Image 1, Jun 25, 2026

A beautiful reflection here of the High Stile - High Crag ridge

Buttermere Reflections - Image 18, Jun 25, 2026

The famous tunnel on the North side of Buttermere

Buttermere Reflections - Image 19, Jun 25, 2026

I chatted to this volunteer who was cleaning it of mud so that the water could drain away and the tunnel would dry out

Buttermere Reflections - Image 20, Jun 25, 2026

We leave the Lakeside and return to the village

Buttermere Reflections - Image 21, Jun 25, 2026

Looking up to the church

Buttermere Reflections - Image 22, Jun 25, 2026

We stop to admire Mellbreak and Crummock Water

Buttermere Reflections - Image 23, Jun 25, 2026

Later in the day, from near our accommodation, a good vista of some of the Newlands and Coledale fells.
L-R: Hindscarth, Robinson. Rear: Rowling End, Causey Pike, Scar Crags, Sail. Front: Swinside, Barrow, Stile End, Outerside

Start: Buttermere

1) "Honister rambler" bus from Keswick to Buttermere
2) Car parks in Buttermere. Free car park at the bottom of Newlands Hause [NY 17645 17050].

Route

An anti-clockwise circuit of Buttermere in the relative cool of very early morning
Distance 4.81 miles, Time 2.10 h, Total Ascent 390 ft

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Please do your own research to verify current routes and information on car parking, bus services and so on

Route maps from Ordnance Survey are scaled 1:25000 unless otherwise indicated.
Distance, Hike Time and Total Ascent as supplied by OS. Image shows planned route.
Distance 4.81 miles, Time 2.10 h, Total Ascent 390 ft

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The lake does not store images - it performs them, briefly, in passing light

Start: Buttermere

Route

The lake does not store images -
it performs them, briefly, in passing light