Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike up High Stile: route map, distance and time
807 m · Cumbria
High Stile is the highest point of the ridge between Buttermere and Ennerdale, a rocky summit above Bleaberry Tarn with crags falling to the north.
Climb beside Sourmilk Gill to Bleaberry Tarn and up to Red Pike, then follow the stony ridge south-east to High Stile.
Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike at a glance
| Distance | 5.0 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 757 m |
| Time up | 2h 15m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 3h 15m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Buttermere village car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 183 156 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 170 148 |
Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike 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 Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 15m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 0m |
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 13:53 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 13:51 to be down before dark, allowing 3h 15m for the walk and an hour for stops.
High Stile summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for High Stile right now. The main High Stile page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live High Stile forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About High Stile
High Stile is the highest point of the ridge between Buttermere and Ennerdale, a rocky summit above Bleaberry Tarn with crags falling to the north. More about High Stile, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Hewitt, Nuttall, Marilyn, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- High Stile (806 m), 0.3 km west
- Red Pike (755 m), 1.1 km north-west
- Dodd (641 m), 1.1 km north-west
- High Crag (745 m), 1.3 km south-east
- Pillar Rock (780 m), 2.4 km south
- Pillar (892 m), 2.7 km south
Challenges that include High Stile
- Lake District 24 Peaks Challenge · 24
- Ennerdale Horseshoe · 14
- Hewitts · 523
- Nuttalls · 442
- Marilyns · 1,555
More walks from Buttermere village car park
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Buttermere ridge traverse up High Crag
Other routes up High Stile
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gatesgarth via Scarth Gap and High Crag | 5.0 km one way | 776 m | 2h 20m | Hard |
| Buttermere via Dodd and Red Pike ridge | 6.0 km one way | 760 m | 2h 30m | Hard |
| Buttermere via Scarth Gap | 8.5 km one way | 790 m | 3h 0m | 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 170 148), 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 Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike: questions and answers
How far is Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike?
Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike is 5.0 km one way to the summit of High Stile, with 757 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 10.0 km.
How long does Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike take?
About 2h 15m to the summit of High Stile and 3h 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 4h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike?
Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike starts from Buttermere village car park. The grid reference is NY 183 156.
Is Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike today?
By 13:53 at the latest. Sunset on High Stile today is 18:08, Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike takes about 3h 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 Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn and Red Pike?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).