Buttermere Lake Walk: Easy Circular Route Around Buttermere

If you’re after an easy but scenic Lake District walk, the circuit around Buttermere Lake is hard to beat. It’s a mostly flat, well-maintained loop that hugs the water almost the entire way, with big mountain views that almost feel excessive for the amount of effort required.

At 4.6 miles, the full circuit usually takes between 2 and 3 hours at a relaxed pace. The route takes you through woodland, past little beaches, and over a footbridge at the far end of the lake, before bringing you back into Buttermere village. It’s ideal for families or those simply wanting a good walk without going up into the hills.

Below, I’ll walk you through exactly where to park, which way to go, how long it takes, and a few things worth knowing before you set off.

Buttermere Lake walk at a glance

Start/Finish: Buttermere village.

Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4km).

Time: 2 – 3 hours.

Elevation gain: 171 metres.

Difficulty: Easy.

Surface: Mixed. Compacted gravel, woodland path, some uneven and rocky sections.

Best for: Inexperienced walkers, families, and those wanting a relaxed, lakeside walk.

Dogs: Dogs can absolutely walk this route. There are usually plenty of them doing so! There can be livestock on the paths, though, so do be careful.

Parking: Paid National Trust car park next to the Buttermere Court Hotel, or free roadside parking by St James’ Church.

Buttermere Lake walk map

You can walk this route in either direction, but I usually walk anticlockwise. This map follows the shoreline path anticlockwise.

getting to Buttermere Lake

The most convenient place to park for Buttermere Lake is next to the Buttermere Court Hotel. It puts you right by the lake, and means you’ll be able to join the walk without walking along the road. It’s pay and display, and is currently £6.50 for the day.

That being said, Buttermere is a small village. It gets super busy during weekends and throughout the summer, so you’ll need to get there early to secure a spot.

If this car park is full, or you simply don’t want to pay, there’s also free parking by St James’ Church. You could also park more towards the southern end of the lake (opposite end to the village) in Gatesgarth, where there are usually spaces available. It’s a circular walk, so you can join it from anywhere on the route, including at Gatesgarth.

If you’re visiting without a car, then the best option is to take bus 77 or 77A from Keswick. The route is slow, but it’s a pretty journey, and it will drop you right by the Buttermere Court Hotel, where you can start the walk. Keep in mind, though, that this bus is seasonal and doesn’t run during the winter months. You can check the bus timetable here.

The route itself

Start in Buttermere village

From Buttermere village, head towards the Buttermere Court Hotel and follow the path through the gate beside the hotel. The path leads between sheep-filled fields and soon brings you down towards the lake.

Once you reach the lakeshore, turn right to walk anticlockwise around Buttermere.

This first section is gentle and easy to follow, with the path running close to the water. You’ll get your first views across the lake towards Fleetwith Pike, Haystacks, and the surrounding fells. For such an easy walk, the scenery is very impressive.

Along the western shore

The western side of Buttermere is my favourite part of the walk. The path passes through woodland for much of the way, with little openings where you can look across the water towards the mountains.

The woodland gives this side of the lake a quiet, tucked-away feel. You’ll also pass little streams and small waterfalls trickling down from the fellside, especially after rain. This is the Lake District, so ‘after rain’ is not exactly rare.

Keep following the path south along the lakeshore. The route is obvious, and you’ll stay close to the water for most of this section.

the southern end

At the far end of the lake, the path will take you away from the shoreline a little, where you’ll walk through a gravel path between fields. At the end of the gravel path, you’ll pop out at Gatesgarth. There is a small seasonal cafe here where you can grab a tea/coffee or an ice cream, if you fancy.

From Gatesgarth, you’ll need to walk along the road for around 10 minutes before rejoining the lakeside path. Roadside walking is never ideal, but this road is usually quiet, with relatively few cars. Still, take care, especially if you’re walking with children or dogs.

Then, look out for the obvious path branching left off the road, which takes you back towards the lake and onto the eastern shore path.

Along the eastern shore

This side of the lake feels more open than the western shore, with broader views across the water and back towards the fells. The path is still mostly easy, though there are some uneven and rocky sections, including one short rock step where you may need to use your hands.

It’s not a scramble as such, but it does mean the route is not fully accessible or completely pram-friendly all the way around.

One of the best features on this side of the lake is the short tunnel at Hassness, which was carved through the rock in the 19th century. It’s only brief, but it adds a nice bit of character to the route.

Back to Buttermere village

Keep following the path along the eastern shore until it brings you back towards the northern end of Buttermere.

From here, follow the path back into Buttermere village, where you can finish with lunch, coffee, a pint, or ice cream, depending on your mood.

For me, nothing beats a gentle walk around Buttermere followed by a nice lunch. Especially on a sunny day.

Options for extending your walk

The loop around Buttermere is fairly easy going, so if you’re keen for a longer day out, I recommend combining the lake with one of the following options:

Rannerdale Knotts

Rannerdale Knotts is a wonderful option if you want to add a summit to your day.

The climb is steep in places, but it’s short, and the views over Crummock Water, Buttermere, and the surrounding fells are stunning. Rannerdale is also famous for its bluebells, which usually bloom between late April and mid-May.

Rannerdale Knotts is actually one of my favourite walks in the whole of the Lakes, so I highly recommend it.

Haystacks

Haystacks is a great choice if you want a much more challenging day out.

This is a proper fell walk, with steeper climbs, rockier ground, and much more elevation than the lakeshore circuit. It’s not difficult in a technical climbing sense, but it’s a big step up from walking around Buttermere.

The reward is a fantastic route over one of the Lake District’s most loved fells, with views across Buttermere and the surrounding mountains.

Scale Force

Scale Force is another good extension from Buttermere, especially if you like waterfalls. It sits on the western side of Crummock Water and is the tallest single-drop waterfall in the Lake District.

You can walk to Scale Force from Buttermere village as an out-and-back route, or combine it with a longer walk around Crummock Water.

FAQs about the Buttermere Lake walk

Is Buttermere an easy walk?

Yes, Buttermere is one of the easier lake circuits in the Lake District. The route is mostly flat and simple to follow, though there are a few uneven, rocky, and muddy sections.

Can you walk all the way around Buttermere?

At the Gatesgarth end of the lake, you’ll need to peel away from the shore for a short while. The path will lead you into Gatesgarth itself, and then you’ll walk along the road a little way before rejoining the shoreline path.

Is the Buttermere Lake walk suitable for dogs?

Yes, dogs are allowed on the Buttermere Lake walk. Keep them under close control, as there is sometimes wildlife and livestock on the paths.

Is the Buttermere Lake walk suitable for prams and wheelchairs?

Not really, unfortunately. Some sections may be manageable, but the full loop includes uneven ground, woodland paths, and rocky steps. The eastern shore, in particular, would be challenging for a pram or wheelchair.

Where do you park for the Buttermere Lake walk?

The easiest place to park is in Buttermere village, where there is a pay-and-display car park next to the Buttermere Court Hotel. There is also a National Trust car park just outside the village, and free roadside parking next to St James’ Church, although this fills quickly.

Can you get to Buttermere by bus?

Yes, the seasonal 77 and 77A Honister Rambler services run between Keswick and Buttermere from late spring to autumn. It doesn’t run super frequently — you can check the timetable here. Also, keep in mind that the last few buses back to Keswick at the end of the day can get busy, so I would arrive at the bus stop early.

When is the best time to walk around Buttermere lake?

You can walk around Buttermere year-round, but I’d recommend spring or autumn. Spring brings lush green landscapes, lambs, and bluebells, while autumn offers beautiful colours and quieter paths. Summer has the warmest weather but can be very busy, and winter can be lovely on a clear day, although paths are often muddy or icy. For more seasonal advice, read my guide to the best time to visit the Lake District.

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