30th September 2011 - Walk No.607

Area:	Lake District	Ascent:	410feet
Walk No:	607	Time:	3hours
Date:	30th September 2011	Parking:	Buttermere NT Car Park
Distance:	5.00miles	Weather:	Fine & Sunny with a good breeze.

For those of you that are thinking of going onto the hills I would strongly recommend that you read the advice given by the Mountain Rescue organisation of England and Wales. To read this advice, which will open in a new page please click HERE. If you would like to make a donation to the Mountain Rescue organisation which is purely voluntary please click HERE. Please make the time to read the advice page.

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With the promise of yet another day of blue skies and the prospect of a weekend doing other things we were away straight after breakfast for the Lake District and Buttermere. I was rather surprised to find only a couple of cars on the National Trust car park when we arrived as driving up Borrowdale and over Honister it had seemed quite busy. Anyway we set off with just the one rucsac containing water and sandwiches only for a gentle walk around Buttermere. There was a good breeze blowing down the valley which helped a little in keeping us cool.

Route Map.

I couldn't resist pulling in at Waterhead on our way...

....although there was a little mist hanging about it had the makings of another fine day.

Rannerdale Knotts from the National Trust car park at Buttermere.

A short walk down the road soon brought us to the village and to The Fish home, once the home of Mary Robinson - The Maid of Buttermere.....More information HERE

Looking over towards the southern end of Mellbreak and Scale Knott with Hen Comb behind...

...and to Rannerdale Knotts.

It is a beautiful morning as we slowly make our way to the shores of Buttermere...

....but unfortunately the sun is fairly low and shining right along the lake. No matter though the profile of Fleetwith Pike at the head of the lake is instantly recognisable.

Rannerdale Knotts again with the bulk of Grasmoor behind.

After the recent warm and dry spell there isn't much water coming down Sourmilk Gill from Bleaberry Tarn.

A big close up down the valley to Low Fell and Darling Fell.

There's a good breeze down the lake as we make our way along the shoreside path. It spoils any chance of reflections but with temperatures of around 25°C it is keeping us cool.

Looking down Buttermere...

....and across to High Snockrigg.

Looking up Comb Beck

Still with some interference from the sun a look over the Buttermere Pines towards Fleetwith Pike.

Now at the head of the lake and crossing Peggy's Bridge.

From Peggy's Bridge we made our way to Gatesgarth Farm from where there was a short section of road walking back to the lakeside.

Back at the lakeside now and looking over Hassness to Mellbreak...

....and further to the left High Stile, Red Pike and Dodd.

Making our way along the lakeside and a glimpse through the trees into Burtness Comb with High Crag and High Stile.

The sun once again gets in the way of a view of Haystacks and the Buttermere Pines.

This must be one of the Lake District's most enjoyable low level walks. To rush round it would be a crime, there are...

....countless opportunities to just stand (or sit) and stare in amazement at the views....

....this wonderful valley presents to those that journey here.

There's light at the end of the tunnel.....a 30 metre tunnel, cut into solid rock. Word has it that in the 19th Century, the owner of the large country house above the headland "Hassness" had his labourers cut the tunnel by hand to give them something to do in the long winter months.