Buttermere and Scale Force

Joe Jackson

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Scale Force is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the Lake District (and it also has the highest single drop). This lovely little route starts off at the National Trust Car Park in Buttermere and follows the road past two pubs (The Bridge Inn and The Fish) before taking a popular trackway down to the Lakeshore. After admiring the beautiful views over Buttermere to Fleetwith Pike, the route joins a bridleway north-west towards Scale Bridge. After passing the bridge the route continues around the fellside, gaining height as you go until you reach the 175m contour. This is a good place for a little rest; the views over Crummock Water to Grasmoor and Whiteless Pike are truly breathtaking (see general picture for walk).

The route continues around the fellside along a sometimes wet path until you reach the waterfall, which is tucked away in a narrow ravine. The further you go into the ravine the more of the waterfalls you will see. The one in the foreground is beautiful and is about 25 feet high. The one at the back which you can only just see is a single drop of 120ft. The moisture here gives the environment a tropical feel and is the perfect place to spend a hot summer's day.

From the waterfall the route follows a public footpath north along Scale Beck and down through an old medieval sheiling settlement. When the bracken has died back the outlines of walls, buildings and enclosures are evident and allow you to reconstruct the scene of several hundred years ago. Sheiling settlements are usually found in uplands and are seasonally occupied settlements for people looking after herds and flocks. The size and scale of the one along Scale Beck does suggest it might have become a more permanent settlement at some point in history. From the ancient remains the route follows a path close to Crummock Water to make its way round to Scale Bridge and back to Buttermere.

England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - North West

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Cafe, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Mountains, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, River, Waterfall, Wildlife, Woodland

3/4/2019 - gordon saunderson

Did this walk as our first walk of the holiday to ease us in gently. The footbridge mentioned in waypoint 2 is down at the moment so follow the diversion signs and start walk at scale bridge. Lovely walk to ease us in and a little bit of everything with lakeside walk, fells and waterfalls.