Scale Force Waterfall – Red Pike (Buttermere) loop from Buttermere

Routes

Mountain hikes & routes

Scale Force Waterfall – Red Pike (Buttermere) loop from Buttermere

Hard

hikers

Scale Force Waterfall – Red Pike (Buttermere) loop from Buttermere

05:46

15.0km

770m

Mountaineering

Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 30, 2026

Tips

Includes segments that may be dangerous

Parts of this route comprise highly technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience is required.

After 5.97 km for 168 m

After 6.22 km for 1.16 km

After 7.46 km for 2.79 km

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

3.50 km

Scale Force Waterfall

Highlight • Viewpoint

Parking at National Trust- Buttermere car park.
If you want to spend a penny you’ll need to spend 49 more and the turnstile in the loo doesn’t accept £1 coins

Tip by

5.91 km

Red Pike (Buttermere)

Highlight • Climb

So called due to the red coloured soil and stone, do be careful going down Red Pike as the paths have all but eroded and its mainly loose stones. If …

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7.03 km

High Stile Summit

Highlight • Viewpoint

Shapely and noble, High Stile is the highest point of the eye-catching ridge soaring proudly above Buttermere. Traversing this ridge – the Buttermere Edge – should not be rushed. It’s …

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7.35 km

High Stile (summit)

Peak

8.42 km

View of Buttermere from High Crag

Highlight • Summit

Very windy day on my last visit here, do be mindful of that as you cross the tops. Great views down to Buttermere.

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8.98 km

High Crag Summit

Highlight • Viewpoint

High Crag is the easternmost of the High Stile range's great summits. From Haystacks, it looks a grand, pyramidal peak and the ascent from this direction, via Gamlin End, is …

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10.3 km

Scarth Gap

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

Scarth Gap is a great, gradual ascent from Buttermere or Ennerdale. Turn left at the cairn that marks the top of the pass to ascend Haystacks or turn right to ascend Seat and on to High Crag

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12.9 km

Buttermere

Lake

14.0 km

Sourmilk Gill Waterfall

Highlight • Waterfall

Sourmilk Gill starts life atop of the Saddle. As you can see, by the time it reaches Buttermere lake, it is an impressive sight.

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14.1 km

View of Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere

Highlight • Viewpoint

From the edge of Buttermere looking over to Fleetwith, Black Star, and Honister Quarry. Nice place to take a rest after coming down the stone steps from the Fells, be …

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15.0 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.90 km

4.34 km

2.54 km

187 m

Surfaces

6.30 km