Fleetwith Pike Walk: Route Guide, Map, Where to Park & Difficulty

Fleetwith Pike is the iconic mountain that sits at the Southeast end of Buttermere. Chances are that even if you don’t know the mountain by name, you’d recognise it if you saw it as the view of the peak towering over the often-calm waters of Buttermere is one of the most well-known views in the Lake District.

The Fleetwith Pike walk is 7.2km/4.5 miles with 656m/2,152 ft. of ascent. If you’ve got your sights set on this one, or just want to give it a go, it’s a great challenge and one you’ll feel rewarded for after. It’s full on and gives you a real sense of thrill, and the views you get make it feel incredibly worth the effort.

Climbing Fleetwith Pike can be tough as it’s steep (very, very steep!) and exposed, so you need a head for heights, but the route is also very simple to follow.  

My Fleetwith Pike walking route below not only gives you amazing views out over the Buttermere Valley, but also lets you explore a varied and beautiful landscape once you’ve reached the top.

Rather than just treating this as a there and back, I’ve also included a return journey via Dubs Hut and Warnscale Bothy, which give you some of the most iconic views in the Lake District.

So read on to find out everything you need to know and what to expect along with downloadable maps, parking info and loads more.

Fleetwith Pike Walk Quick Stats

Location: Buttermere Valley (Nearest large town is Keswick)
Distance: 7.2km/4.5mi
Elevation Gain: 656m/2,152ft.
Approx Time Needed: approx.3.5-5.5hrs
Difficulty: Medium to difficult
Start Point: Gatesgarth Car Park
Route Type: Loop

Our Fleetwith Pike Walk Downloadable Route Map

I’ve embedded an AllTrails map for my Fleetwith Pike Walk through our AllTrails widget. You have a few options when it comes to downloading. You can click on the map to save it to your own (free) AllTrails account.

You can also save or print the route as a PDF or download the route as GPX file to use with the mapping app or navigation device of your choice. You can also download a Garmin compatible version too.

Fleetwith Pike Walk: What to Expect

My favourite place to start this walk is from the car park at Gatesgarth (at the opposite end of Buttermere Lake from Buttermere Village). This puts you right at the start of the Fleetwith Pike walk.

From the start of the trail at Gatesgarth, Fleetwith Pike is right in front of you and there’s only a short flat section before the trail starts to climb steeply. The trail is very easy to follow. It isn’t paved, but it’s well-trodden and there are stone steps at the steeper points.

I’ve mentioned the word ‘steep’ twice already and that’s certainly the main trait of this route as you’ll climb over 500m in the first kilometre of the walk!

I wouldn’t describe the route as technically difficult, but the ascent is definitely physically demanding, and I wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t have a good head for heights as the path is exposed and the sense of being somewhere high up is very obvious.

Whilst the route isn’t ‘technical’, there are a few spots where I need to use my hands to get over boulders when doing this walk. The path is also very exposed and even on calm summer days, I’ve been amazed by how windy it can get.

I’ve actually been knocked over by a gust wind at the same moment I lost my footing for a moment on the mountain side once while doing this walk. It wasn’t a serious fall by any stretch, but it was one of those moments that gives you a sense of perspective and I would not attempt this walk on a bad weather day unless I was very sure of my skills.

The flipside of all this is that you get incredible views right from the start. Take a moment to turn around on the climb and you have an incredible view out over Buttermere.

As you get higher the view just improves and Crummock Water becomes visible in the distance. Of course, there’s also the spectacular mountains on either side too. 

Once you reach the summit of Fleetwith Pike (which is also classed as a Wainright), the route will take you through a rolling, slightly boggy section of fell where the path can become indistinct, so be sure to keep an eye on your map to make sure you’re not wandering off-route. 

After this, you’ll reach the edge of the Honister Slate Quarry and the landscape shifts again to a rocky almost Lunar desert which I love because it feels different in a way that’s hard to describe. You’ll pass Dubs Hut, a small stone building or Bothy (a shelter intended for hikers who want to stay out overnight).

The trail can become indistinct around Dubs Hut, so, again, it’s a smart move to keep a look at the map. After Dubs Hut, you’ll soon join up with a stream (Warnscale Beck) on your left and will shortly arrive at a grassy crossing point.

At this stream, you can either start the decent back to Gatesgarth or, as I like to do (and my map includes), cross the stream take a detour to visit Warnscale Bothy.

There’s no bridge or stepping stones, so be sure you’re wearing waterproof boots or your feet will get very wet. I’d also avoid the crossing if the stream is very high as the crossing can get a bit sketchy if the current is strong.

I think it’s pretty fair to say that Warnscale Bothy is one of the most iconic photo locations in the Lake District. This small stone hut is an overnight shelter for hikers and has a phenomenal view out over Buttermere. After you visit Warnscale Bothy, backtrack to the stream and cross back over.

Regardless of whether you take the detour to Warnscale Bothy, the main descent starts at the stream and follows a well-defined path that tracks the valley side back down to the foot of Fleetwith Pike. 

You’ll get some incredible views even if the weather isn’t great and I think the rock wall on the opposite side of the valley (taking in peaks such as Haystacks, Seat and High Crag) is particularly stunning.

Whilst hiking back down, be sure to keep a look out for the famous Buttermere ‘Infinity Pool’ which will be below you on your left. This waterfall pool has become quite famous in recent years.

Unfortunately, you can’t easily reach the Buttermere Infinity Pool from our Fleetwith Pike walk route without backtracking someway which requires climbing back up a steep section you’ve just descended, though it is possible to plot a route there from Warnscale Bothy.

At this stage, the walk is pretty much finished, and the path widens as it leads back to Gatesgarth and the car park.

Key Highlights

Best Views & Photo Spots

The area around Buttermere is spectacular, even by the standards of the Lake District. One of my favourite things about the Fleetwith Pike walk is that it offers pretty incredible views right from the start that just get better the higher you get.

Even if you have to park further along the Honister Pass or in Buttermere Village, the extra section you have to walk to reach the trailhead at Gatesgarth are beautiful too.

The main view you’ll see on this hike is the Buttermere valley view, which will open up to include Crummock Water as you climb higher. In my opinion, the sheer rock wall across the valley, Southwest from Fleetwith Pike, is just as spectacular.

The two Bothys you’ll pass (Dub’s Hut and Warnscale Bothy) give a chance to see some human-made elements in the landscape too, which is perhaps why this route is so popular with photographers.

Fleetwith Pike is also a Wainwright. Once you’ve experienced the scenery on this walk, I think you’ll agree it’s easy to see why Fleetwith Pike made Wainwright’s list.

Seasonal Differences

You can complete our Fleetwith Pike walk at any time of year and this walk in mid-winter can be a completely different, but equally stunning experience to what it is in high-summer. However, each season has things to keep in mind.

Winter

The key concern during winter is bad weather: The ascent of Fleetwith Pike is very steep and very exposed and I would not like to get caught on it during a storm.

So, keep an eye on the weather forecast and, if in any doubt, choose a different route. On a bad weather day, I’d say it would make more sense to summit Fleetwith Pike from Honister Slate Mine rather than from Gatesgarth.

The mountain can also get a decent covering of snow and, if there’s heavy snow on the ground, I’d say that this route changes from a walk into a more technical ascent.

Traction aids like micro spikes or crampons along with a set of hiking poles would be an essential item to carry on winter ascents. I’d also recommend carrying an ice axe and knowing how to self-arrest with it on the steeper sections if there’s very heavy snow cover. 

Snow hides paths, so if there’s substantial snow cover, be prepared to spend more time checking you are on-route and also carry a head torch in case this leads to you being out after sunset.

Spring

A sunny spring day when the evenings are starting to stretch out is my ideal time to hike Fleetwith Pike. But remember you’re in the Lake District and the weather can (and will!) change quickly.

For spring hikes, I’d be sure to pack plenty of layers including waterproofs.  I’d also still be sure to carry a head torch in case the walk takes longer than planned and I’m still on the trail after sunset.

Summer

Long summer days are great for hiking, and this is a brilliant time of year to tackle Fleetwith Pike. They are the busiest for area too though, so I’d recommend arriving earlier or later.

In summer, I’d say the other main factor to keep in mind is that there is pretty much zero cover or shade on the entire route, so regularly applying sun protection and staying hydrated is a must (it can be tricky to remember to do both in the mountains if there’s a cool breeze).

Even after weeks of sun, the ground in the Lake District can still stay surprisingly boggy, so waterproof footwear is a year-round essential in my opinion (and definitely if you want to cross the stream to visit Warnscale Bothy). As is a waterproof layer in your day pack. Showers are always a possibility here!

Autumn

Autumn around Buttermere is absolutely spectacular as the foliage starts to change. Increased rainfall can make the ground and especially the steep slopes on the ascent to the summit very slippery, so be careful of your footing. 

I find hiking poles are particularly useful at this time of year for keeping a secure footing on slippery wet ground. As autumn draws on, I’d also be sure to pack more layers and a head torch in case they’re needed. 

Fleetwith Pike Walk Difficulty Breakdown

Technical difficulty

The Fleetwith Pike walk is not a technical route at all, unless you’re attempting the route after heavy snow when crampons and an ice axe are worth bringing. You won’t need anything beyond regular hiking clothes and walking footwear to complete the route safely.

You’ll be on unpaved trails for the entire walk and on some steeper sections, you may need to use your hands to get around boulders or to steady yourself. However, I wouldn’t class any of this as scrambling.

Exposure

The route is very exposed. Especially so on the ascent to the summit of Fleetwith Pike. 

None of the walk takes you through forested areas and there isn’t much by way of shelter until you are well past the summit and on your way back down when the valley walls provide some shelter from the wind and sun. 

With this in mind, if the weather takes a turn for the worse, you can expect to feel the full force of it.

Similarly, I would not recommend the initial climb if you struggle with heights as sadly there’s no escaping the fact that you are high up and, at points, there are some very sharp drop-offs along the trail.

If you are not good with heights but still want to reach the summit, I’d say the alternate route starting at Honister Slate Mine (see below) is a better option. 

Navigation

Navigation on this walk is generally very easy. You’ll be following clear, distinct trails for most of it. That said, between the summit and Warnscale Beck, there are sections where the path becomes indistinct, and you can easily wander off-route. 

This is a common situation I run into in the Lake District, especially on the high fells, and I’d recommend regular map checks to ensure you don’t drift too far off-route.

I think it’s fair to say that most people now navigate with mapping apps on their phones rather than using paper maps and it goes without saying that you should download the base map and route for offline use as mobile reception can be bad or non-existent in the mountains. 

Steepness

The Fleetwith Pike walk is full on. If you’re new to hiking in the Lake District, then this probably isn’t the walk to start with! I think the steepness and exposure of the first section drops you straight into it, and you will likely find it full on if you’re not used to things like this.

Don’t let that discourage you though, as there’s plenty more accessible walks in the area (see below) and Fleetwith Pike isn’t going anywhere. The route will still be there when you’re ready for it!

In real terms, the steepness also means that it’ll probably take you disproportionately longer to complete the section of the route from the start to the Fleetwith Pike Summit than the rest of the hike.

It’s worth keeping this in mind if you like to keep an eye on the time as you hike (as I do) as it can seem like you might need to abandon the hike early due to slow progress when, in fact, you’ll speed up once you’ve reached the top.

Why I Personally Love the Fleetwith Pike Walk

Fleetwith Pike is one of my absolute favourite walks in the Lake District. It packs in a good physical challenge, whilst still being (relatively) accessible and rewards you with a different take on a very well-known landscape.

The views from the summit of Fleetwith Pike on this walk are utterly stunning and, whilst you could argue that they are nothing you can’t see from lower down, the higher perspective really transform the landscape in my opinion. 

The Buttermere Valley is, understandably, a very popular destination, but even at peak season, it’s possible to get away from the crowds on this walk and that’s one reason I think I keep coming back to it.

Fleetwith Pike Walk Parking & Transport

Parking

There’s a paid carpark at Gatesgarth right at the start of the walk. However, this carpark has very limited spaces, and I’ve often arrived to find it full, even when I get there early.

At the time of writing, the Gatesgarth car park only accepts cash. The parking fee has been a flat £4 for 24hrs for a very long time, but there’s no way I know of to check up to date prices in advance (because it’s privately owned), so, as I don’t tend to carry cash anymore, I always make sure to have some extra change just in case the rates have gone up!

If you can’t find parking at Gatesgarth, you can head into Buttermere village where there’s several paid car parks accepting both card, cash and, increasingly, app-based payment. There’s also a small National Trust car park just past Buttermere towards Crummock Water. 

On particularly busy days, local farmers in Buttermere also often make their fields available for parking. This can be a great value option relative to the main car parks, but they usually only accept cash payment.

Alternatively, if you head in the opposite direction to Buttermere village from Gatesgarth, you can continue along the Honister Pass where there are a few large laybys with free parking and paid car parks further along.

At busy times you’ll often see cars parked along the side of the road on the Honister Pass but this can cause serious obstruction on a busy, narrow road that’s also a bus route, so it’s best not to do this!

If you end up having to park in Buttermere village or on the Honister Pass, bear in mind that it will add extra distance to the walk.

In both cases, the extra walk is very scenic and relatively flat, but walking from the centre of Buttermere to Gatesgarth, for example, will add an extra 3km each way (assuming you walk on the road. It’s longer still if you follow the lakeside path)

Buttermere is a victim of its own popularity and on good days (especially during school holidays) finding parking in the area can be very difficult, even if you arrive early. Be prepared to have to try a few different parking locations and be sure to factor in time for this and the extra distance this might add to your walk.

Public Transport

The Buttermere Valley is served by the 77 and 77A bus routes from Keswick. This is a seasonal bus and only runs from Spring to Autumn each year.

The journey takes around 50 minutes and there’s stops at the Gatesgarth Mountain Rescue Point (at the trailhead for this walk) and also in Buttermere village, which is ideal if you want to extend your walk. 

Fleetwith Pike Walk Optional Route Extensions

As I’ve mentioned before, the climb up Fleetwith Pike from Gatesgarth is very steep. If you don’t fancy this, or are just looking for an alternative route, it’s also possible to reach the summit of Fleetwith Pike from the Honister Slate Mine Visitor Centre. 

This not only reduces the amount of climbing needed to reach the summit by around 200m, but it’s also a far less steep and exposed route. I’ve added in a separate All Trails map for this route here.

If you are interested in peak bagging, and also want a much longer walk that ventures into more challenging terrain, you can also extend the route to take in extra summits such as Haystacks.

I’ve included a route taking in Haystacks (and an alternate descent route that passes the Buttermere infinity pool) here. We also have a full article on our sister site, This Expansive Adventure about the Buttermere Infinity Pool routes and further routes in the area.

In theory you could continue along the ridge line as far as you want to go. One longer option would take you Red Pike, from which you could descent to Buttermere village via Bleaberry Tarn.  I haven’t personally done this variant yet, but it’s definitely on the cards!

Of course, the parking situation in the Buttermere Valley can also force a route extension onto you! If you need to park in the Village, for instance, you have at least an extra 3km each way to get to the start of the trail and back afterwards.

We haven’t provided route maps for any of these as there’s a lot of possible variants, but in all cases you can either follow the road to Gatesgarth or, if relevant, there’s a really nice, but slightly longer path along the shore of Buttermere.

Other Walks in the Area

The Buttermere Valley is a great area of the Lake District for walking, and the area offers routes ranging from child-friendly gentle strolls to full-on mountaineering.

Buttermere itself is a great place to start and it’s possible to walk around the lake in a few hours.  Beyond this, there are numerous trails on the Western side of the lake, including a boggy, but enjoyable walk to the utterly spectacular Scale Force waterfall. 

Looking slightly further afield, two of the three roads into the Buttermere Valley come via the Honister and Newlands Passes and both these stunning valleys offer plenty of potential to explore.

What to Bring on the Fleetwith Pike Walk

You’ll need much the same gear for the Fleetwith Pike walk as you will need for most other longer walks in the Lake District. Remember that the weather can change very quickly here, so it’s a wise move to bring waterproof layers even if you have a good day forecast.

• Waterproof jacket
• Proper hiking footwear: Ideally waterproof as there are boggy sections on this walk
• Warm layers
• Food and water: There’s nowhere to get refreshments along the route
• Hiking poles: These are very useful on steep ascents and descents
• Offline route map: You can’t depend on the mobile signal in the area

Additionally, if you’re going to attempt this walk in winter, I’d recommend the following extra items:

• Microspikes or Crampons if there is heavy snow on the ground
• Ice Axe: If there’s very heavy snow, and knowing how to self-arrest with it
• Insulated jacket
• Warm gloves and hat

For a full breakdown of what I usually bring hiking in the Lake District, I’d recommend reading our UK hiking essentials, what to wear hiking and day hiking checklist guides on our sister site This Expansive Adventure.

Why Trust Our Lake District Walking Guides

As someone who lives in the Lake District, this guide was written to actually help you get out and enjoy the Fleetwith Pike walk as much as possible. The aim with all of our guides is to give you the information you actually need, including maps and the right level of detail to get you out and feel prepared.

When I write a walking guide, it means I’ve done this walk multiple times, assessed it using my years of experience in the fells and spent time thinking in detail about what is actually important for you to know.

This just means that when you know what to expect, it’ll feel safer, you’ll feel better prepared and overall, this has a better impact on you and the place you’re visiting, so it’s a win-win.