Buttermere ridge traverse up High Crag: route map, distance and time
745 m · Cumbria
High Crag is a 745 m fell at the south-eastern end of the High Stile ridge, above Buttermere, reached from Scarth Gap up the scree of Gamlin End.
Climb Red Pike past Bleaberry Tarn and follow the ridge south-east over High Stile to High Crag, descending by Gamlin End to Scarth Gap.
Buttermere ridge traverse at a glance
| Distance | 2.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 637 m |
| Time up | 1h 40m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Buttermere village |
| Start grid reference | NY 183 156 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 180 139 |
Buttermere ridge traverse map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Buttermere Court Hotel1.5 km
- Syke Farm Tea Room1.5 km
- Croft House Farm Café1.5 km
- Public toilets1.5 km
- Dalegarth Guest House Camp Site0.4 km
- Syke Farm Campsite1.6 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the Buttermere ridge traverse takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 20m | 1h 50m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 40m | 2h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 0m | 2h 45m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 14:53 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 14:51 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
High Crag summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 7°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 13 mph gusting 17 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 34 mph gusting 42 mph, 29% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for the Buttermere ridge traverse: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 17 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour High Crag forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -3°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About High Crag
High Crag is a 745 m fell at the south-eastern end of the High Stile ridge, above Buttermere, reached from Scarth Gap up the scree of Gamlin End. More about High Crag, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High Stile (807 m), 1.3 km north-west
- High Stile (806 m), 1.5 km north-west
- Haystacks (597 m), 1.5 km south-east
- Pillar Rock (780 m), 1.9 km south-west
- Pillar (892 m), 2.1 km south-west
- Looking Stead (628 m), 2.3 km south
Challenges that include High Crag
More walks from Buttermere village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike up High Stile
Other routes up High Crag
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and Gamlin End | 3.4 km one way | 681 m | 1h 50m | Moderate |
| Buttermere via Dodd and Red Pike ridge | 7.7 km one way | — | — | Hard |
| Buttermere via Scarth Gap | 6.9 km one way | 690 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 183 156, the summit at NY 180 139), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Buttermere ridge traverse: questions and answers
How far is the Buttermere ridge traverse?
The Buttermere ridge traverse is 2.9 km one way to the summit of High Crag, with 637 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.8 km.
How long does the Buttermere ridge traverse take?
About 1h 40m to the summit of High Crag and 2h 15m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 45m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Buttermere ridge traverse?
The Buttermere ridge traverse starts from Buttermere village. The grid reference is NY 183 156.
Is the Buttermere ridge traverse suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and Gamlin End.
What time should I start the Buttermere ridge traverse today?
By 14:53 at the latest. Sunset on High Crag today is 18:08, The Buttermere ridge traverse takes about 2h 15m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Buttermere ridge traverse?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).