High Stile ridge up Red Pike: route map, distance and time
755 m · Cumbria
Red Pike is the reddish-topped fell above Buttermere, climbed from the village past Bleaberry Tarn and the first top on the High Stile ridge.
Climb Red Pike, follow the ridge over High Stile and High Crag, and return via Scarth Gap and the lake shore.
High Stile ridge at a glance
| Distance | 3.4 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 649 m |
| Time up | 1h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 25m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Buttermere village car park |
| Start grid reference | NY 175 169 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 160 154 |
High Stile ridge 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 Hotel0.1 km
- Syke Farm Tea Room0.0 km
- Croft House Farm Café0.1 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Syke Farm Campsite0.3 km
- Dalegarth Guest House Camp Site1.4 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the High Stile ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 25m | 2h 0m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 45m | 2h 25m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 2h 10m | 3h 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 14:43 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 14:41 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 25m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Red Pike summit weather for this route
There is no recent summit forecast cached for Red Pike right now. The main Red Pike page loads the live forecast when you open it. Open the live Red Pike forecast.
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
About Red Pike
Red Pike is the reddish-topped fell above Buttermere, climbed from the village past Bleaberry Tarn and the first top on the High Stile ridge. More about Red Pike, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Dodd (641 m), 0.4 km north-east
- High Stile (806 m), 1 km south-east
- High Stile (807 m), 1.1 km south-east
- Starling Dodd (633 m), 1.9 km west
- High Crag (745 m), 2.5 km south-east
- Rannerdale Knotts (355 m), 2.9 km north
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 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 Crag
- Buttermere via Scarth Gap up High Crag
- 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 Red Pike up Starling Dodd
- Buttermere via Whiteless Pike up Wandope
- Buttermere via Whiteless Breast up Whiteless Pike
Other routes up Red Pike
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn | 4.6 km one way | 670 m | 2h 0m | Moderate |
| Bowness Knott via Great Borne and Starling Dodd | 6.5 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 175 169, the summit at NY 160 154), 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.
High Stile ridge: questions and answers
How far is the High Stile ridge?
The High Stile ridge is 3.4 km one way to the summit of Red Pike, with 649 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.8 km.
How long does the High Stile ridge take?
About 1h 45m to the summit of Red Pike and 2h 25m 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 3h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the High Stile ridge?
The High Stile ridge starts from Buttermere village car park. The grid reference is NY 175 169.
Is the High Stile ridge 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 Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn.
What time should I start the High Stile ridge today?
By 14:43 at the latest. Sunset on Red Pike today is 18:08, The High Stile ridge takes about 2h 25m 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 High Stile ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).