Honister Slate Mine to Buttermere

Julia Ewart

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This walk uses the local bus service from Keswick, the Seatoller service, or you can park at Buttermere Village and get the bus to our starting point at Honister Slate Mine. From here we have a steady climb up the slate mine road, then up and over Fleetwith Pike. It is well worth the climb for the views you get on this walk.

Once at the cairned top of Fleetwith Pike we can look down on Buttermere. We follow the path down towards the water, steep in places but very enjoyable. We reach the little hamlet of Gatesgarth and sometimes a portable refreshment van can be found here.

The next section of the walk is virtually flat walking around the waterside, passing along the edge of Burtness Wood before crossing the river to walk up to the village of Buttermere. From here you can then meet the local bus back to Keswick or collect your car from the car park if you choose this option. In the village are a café, giftshop and pubs, so plenty of refreshments are available whilst you wait for your transport home.

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

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Gift Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Industrial Archaeology, Lake/Loch, Moor, Mountains, Museum, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Waterfall, Wildlife, Woodland