Buttermere via Scarth Gap 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.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Buttermere village National Trust car park.
Buttermere via Scarth Gap starts at about 130 m and gains 621 m over 6.9 km to 716 m on the track. The first 4 km are the easy part, averaging 0%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 6.9 km, which climbs 182 m at an average of 21%, with a 500 m stretch from 6.3 km at about 33%. That last pull ends at the summit. About 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Buttermere via Scarth Gap at a glance
| Distance | 6.9 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 690 m |
| Climb on the track | 621 m up, 40 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 101 m to 716 m (summit 745 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 33%, from 6.3 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 24% of the way |
| Time up | 2h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 55m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Buttermere village National Trust car park, CA13 9UZ |
| Start grid reference | NY 172 172 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 180 139 |
| Parking | Buttermere village National Trust car park |
Buttermere via Scarth Gap map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Buttermere Court Hotel0.4 km
- Syke Farm Tea Room0.4 km
- Croft House Farm Café0.4 km
- Public toilets0.4 km
- Syke Farm Campsite0.3 km
- Dalegarth Guest House Camp Site1.9 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Buttermere via Scarth Gap GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Buttermere via Scarth Gap kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 110 m | -20 m | -2% | NY 173 169 |
| 2 km | 107 m | -3 m | 0% | NY 173 161 |
| 3 km | 115 m | +8 m | 1% | NY 181 155 |
| 4 km | 139 m | +24 m | 2% | NY 187 148 |
| 5 km | 338 m | +199 m | 20% steep | NY 187 138 |
| 6 km | 535 m | +197 m | 20% steep | NY 185 134 |
| 6.9 km | 716 m | +182 m | 21% steep | NY 180 140 |
How long Buttermere via Scarth Gap takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 5m | 3h 15m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 30m | 3h 55m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 5m | 4h 50m |
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 13:13 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:11 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 55m 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 Buttermere via Scarth Gap: 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 National Trust car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Buttermere via Whiteless Pike up Crag Hill
- Buttermere via Scarth Gap up Fleetwith Pike
- Buttermere via Whiteless Pike up Grasmoor
- Buttermere via Red Pike and the Ennerdale ridge up Great Borne
- Buttermere via Dodd and Red Pike ridge up High Stile
- Buttermere via Scarth Gap up High Stile
- Buttermere along the ridge up Rannerdale Knotts
- Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn up Red Pike
- High Stile ridge up Red Pike
- Buttermere via Red Pike up Starling Dodd
- Buttermere via Whiteless Pike up Wandope
- Buttermere via Whiteless Breast up Whiteless Pike
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 ridge traverse | 2.9 km one way | 637 m | 1h 40m | Hard |
| Buttermere via Dodd and Red Pike ridge | 7.7 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 172 172, 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 via Scarth Gap: questions and answers
How far is Buttermere via Scarth Gap?
Buttermere via Scarth Gap is 6.9 km one way to the summit of High Crag, with 690 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 13.8 km.
How long does Buttermere via Scarth Gap take?
About 2h 30m to the summit of High Crag and 3h 55m 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 4h 50m for the round trip.
How steep is Buttermere via Scarth Gap?
The steepest 500 m averages about 33%, starting 6.3 km from the start, and 24% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Buttermere via Scarth Gap climbs 621 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Buttermere via Scarth Gap?
Buttermere via Scarth Gap starts from Buttermere village National Trust car park (postcode CA13 9UZ). The grid reference is NY 172 172. Buttermere village National Trust car park
Is Buttermere via Scarth Gap 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 Buttermere via Scarth Gap today?
By 13:13 at the latest. Sunset on High Crag today is 18:08, Buttermere via Scarth Gap takes about 3h 55m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Buttermere via Scarth Gap?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.