Buttermere - Scale Force and a Circuit of Crummock Water
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This good-length walk completes a full circuit of Crummock Water and also visits the beautiful waterfall called Scale Force. The walk starts at the lovely village of Buttermere and heads in the direction of the lake of the same name, but does not reach it (a short detour allows you to visit the lake). The first stretch is fairly rough underfoot but generally follows good footpaths. About 3.5km into the walk you will reach the stunning waterfall Scale Force. The falls comprise two separate drops, the smaller being the nearer one of about 25ft and the taller is located deep within the ravine and is 120ft high! Access is available by climbing the rocks to the left of the falls, but is not advised as it is very wet and slippery.
The route then heads in the direction of Crummock Water and passes through a medieval shieling settlement. Shielings are small, seasonally occupied huts which were built to provide shelter for herdsmen who tended animals grazing summer pasture on upland or marshland. In the height of summer when the ferns are high you can't make out much of the ruins, but once it has died back in the winter the remains are obvious. From there the route follows the shoreline footpath north to complete a full circuit of the lake. On the way you pass an earthwork of defences near the peel on the northern side of the lake.
The route back to Buttermere follows footpaths and a section of road, before heading uphill for the final stretch which offers lovely views over to Haystacks and High Stile.
England - North England - Cumbria - Lake District - North West
Features
Ancient Monument, Birds, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Lake/Loch, Mountains, National Trust, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Waterfall, Wildlife, Woodland