Red Pike (Buttermere)
Red Pike above Buttermere is the northern end of the finest high-level ridge walk in the western Lakes. At 755 metres it is not the highest point on the ridge — High Stile at 807 metres is — but it is the most individual, sitting above Bleaberry Tarn and presenting a steep red-tinged face to Buttermere below. The red colour is caused by the haematite content in the igneous rock, distinct from the darker volcanic fells nearby. The summit is a flat, grassy platform with a large cairn. The view south-west down Ennerdale and across to Pillar is one of the great panoramas in the western Lakes. North, Crummock Water and Loweswater fill the valley. East, High Stile and High Crag continue the ridge. The whole ridge, including all three summits, is a continuous high walk with no significant descent between the tops. Bleaberry Tarn, which sits in a hanging bowl below the north face of Red Pike, is one of the most beautiful tarns in the western Lakes. It fills a corrie that was carved by the same glacier that scoured out the Buttermere valley.
Walking
The Buttermere village approach (CA13 9XA, NT car park charged) takes the steep path up from the shore of Buttermere lake to Bleaberry Tarn, and then climbs the final steep grassy slope to the summit. The ascent is around 600 metres over 2.5 miles. From Red Pike, the ridge continues east to High Stile and High Crag before descending via Scarth Gap back to Buttermere. Total circuit distance around 7 miles with 900 metres of ascent. Allow 5 to 6 hours. This Buttermere Fells circuit — Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag, and Haystacks (just over Scarth Gap) — is one of the great full-day walks in the western Lakes. Adding Haystacks extends the day to around 9 miles with 1,100 metres of ascent. Allow 7 to 8 hours. The descent via Scale Force — England's highest single-drop waterfall at around 35 metres — adds a detour worth taking on a clear day. The fall is about 20 minutes east of the Buttermere shore path.
Routes
Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn
Buttermere NT car park
Tips
The Buttermere fells circuit including Haystacks is one of the great western Lakes days. The Fish Inn at Buttermere (CA13 9XA) is the right pub — proper food, proper welcome, right in the village. Buttermere car park can fill early on summer weekends. The Honister Slate Mine cafe (CA12 5XN) provides an alternative start and is an interesting stop in itself.