Buttermere Circular Walk – One of the Lake District’s Best Low-Level All Abilities Lake Walks.

Region: Buttermere, Lake District National Park, Cumbria

Places To Stay: Buttermere village has a few small inns and tea rooms. For more choice, stay in Keswick and drive in (30 mins). Try: Stay in Buttermere | Find places near Keswick or browse more Lake District Accommodation.

Looking for more Lake District walks? Try Catbells, Scafell Pike, Helvellyn, Old Man of Coniston

All my walking guides and adventures are free to read, thanks to the support of kind folks like you. That said, creating and walking each route takes time (and plenty of coffee!), so if you’ve enjoyed this post or found it useful, feel free to share it around — or even treat me to a coffee or two. It really helps keep the boots moving and the guides coming. You can do that here: click this link. Diolch as always!

If you’re looking for an easy, photogenic walk in the Lake District, Buttermere is a solid gold classic. This circular lake route is suitable for all abilities and has everything you could want from a short low-level walk – mountain views, waterfalls, woodland, and reflections galore.

The path loops right around the lake, with dramatic peaks like Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike looming overhead. It’s mostly flat, well-maintained, and incredibly rewarding, especially in the golden light of early morning or late afternoon.

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Getting There: Directions, GPX and App Link

• Start point: Buttermere National Trust Car Park (postcode: CA13 9XA)
• Google Maps link: Buttermere National Trust Car Park
• Download the GPX file here for use on your GPS device or watch
• You can also view and follow this route on my Outdooractive profile

Hike Profile

• Distance: 4.5 miles / 7 km (circular)
• Duration: 1.5 – 2 hours
• Highest point: Minimal ascent (about 90m total)
• Difficulty: Easy – flat, accessible terrain with good paths
• Route conditions: Mostly gravel or grassy footpaths, some short rocky sections and stiles

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Hike Description

The walk begins from Buttermere National Trust Car Park, you then walk through the village and head west along a flat path through Burtness Wood. You’ll soon cross a stone bridge over a gushing stream before reaching the far end of the lake, where the mountains feel close enough to touch.

One of the highlights is the short tunnel carved into the rock near the northeast shore – kids and adults alike love it. The return leg offers some of the best views back across Buttermere to Fleetwith Pike and the imposing High Stile ridge.

Walk this route yourself in 3D!

The Video is a 3D walk through of this route; it will give you a unique sense of having walked through the route before you start.

I have created 3D Videos of my adventures and have shared them with the OutdoorActive community as well as my walking community.

Buttermere Circular Walk, Lake District Lake Route - 3D Video

This is a great walk in all seasons, with autumn colours and early spring reflections making it a photographer’s dream. For other Lake District walks, click here, you could add them all to your list.

Buttermere Walk FAQs

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