Buttermere is a region in the Lake District National Park, characterized by its fells, lakes, and waterfalls, which create a varied landscape for outdoor pursuits. The area's U-shaped glacial valley encompasses Buttermere Lake, Crummock Water, and Loweswater, providing diverse terrain from lakeside paths to challenging mountain ascents. This environment supports several sports like hiking, jogging, road cycling, mountain biking, and more.
For those seeking things to do in Buttermere, the region offers more than 300…
140
Routes
4.6
(1387)
Average rating
17994
People visited

4.8
(475)
4,737
hikers
7.81km
02:03
60m
60m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.7
(91)
852
hikers
13.3km
05:19
790m
790m
Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.9
(42)
368
hikers
8.84km
03:45
640m
650m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(72)
680
hikers
7.78km
03:07
490m
480m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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5.0
(6)
552
runners
7.64km
00:51
60m
60m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(6)
552
runners
6.97km
00:47
60m
50m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(1)
110
runners
13.1km
01:35
220m
220m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

103
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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5.0
(2)
60
riders
28.0km
04:10
1,440m
1,440m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(5)
146
riders
7.96km
00:48
190m
190m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

40
riders
19.3km
01:44
540m
540m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

3.6
(5)
28
riders
29.5km
02:11
640m
650m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(3)
118
riders
42.8km
03:11
880m
880m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
160
riders
34.9km
02:34
750m
750m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(4)
43
riders
39.3km
02:26
400m
400m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

15
riders
20.1km
01:26
410m
410m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.9
(9)
45
riders
42.0km
03:37
700m
700m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(3)
36
riders
28.2km
01:57
320m
320m
Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.5
(2)
31
riders
21.2km
01:54
630m
630m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
27
riders
18.3km
01:19
380m
370m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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305
riders
105km
05:31
1,820m
1,820m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.9
(7)
250
riders
31.1km
01:44
590m
590m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(1)
203
riders
70.0km
03:42
1,090m
1,090m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

47
riders
96.6km
05:00
1,590m
1,590m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.0
(2)
36
hikers
17.5km
06:21
880m
880m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

7
hikers
10.1km
04:59
760m
760m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

6
hikers
16.7km
06:48
980m
980m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

22
hikers
3.87km
01:44
250m
250m
Moderate mountaineering route. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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Buttermere offers a range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Touring cycling, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The region features more than 300 routes, with an average rating of 4.59 stars from over 181,000 visitors.
A popular option is the circular walk around Buttermere Lake, which is approximately 4 miles (6 km). More challenging routes ascend fells like Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike, and Red Pike. For more options, consult the guide Hiking around Buttermere.
Yes, the 4-mile (6 km) circular walk around Buttermere Lake is suitable for families and offers accessible terrain. Other easy options are available. Refer to the guides Family-friendly hikes around Buttermere and Easy hikes around Buttermere.
Key natural features include Buttermere Lake, Crummock Water, and Loweswater. Notable fells are Haystacks, Red Pike, and High Stile. Scale Force, the highest waterfall in the Lake District, is also located in the area, and Rannerdale is known for its spring bluebells.
Road cyclists can find scenic routes around the lakes and challenging climbs over passes like Newlands Pass and Honister Pass. For detailed routes, see the guides Road Cycling Routes around Buttermere and Cycling around Buttermere.
Buttermere offers diverse terrain for mountain biking, including valley trails, lakeside paths, and challenging climbs. Popular options include the Lake Circuit Trail and routes over passes like Scarth Gap Pass. Explore trails in the MTB Trails around Buttermere guide.
Buttermere is accessible via public transport, with bus services connecting to the area. Hikers can find routes starting directly from bus stations. Consult the guide Hikes from bus stations around Buttermere for specific options.
Komoot offers several guides for Buttermere, including Hiking around Buttermere, Family-friendly hikes around Buttermere, Running Trails around Buttermere, and Waterfall hikes around Buttermere.
Official information regarding Buttermere and the wider area is available through the Lake District National Park Authority website. This resource provides details on visiting the park and its various regions.
Buttermere Lake is a location where wild swimming is popular. Visitors often engage in this activity in the lake's serene waters, which are surrounded by fells.
Honister Pass connects the Buttermere Valley with Borrowdale. It features the Honister Slate Mine, which has a rich industrial history, and serves as a starting point for various walks into the higher fells.

