Lake District 6 Peaks Challenge

The Buttermere Horseshoe

The Buttermere Horseshoe comprises 6 Lakeland Peaks and is a high level circuit around arguably the finest valley in England with its summits in close configuration.

This is a strenuous walk that presents no technical difficulties (ie no mountain scrambling or rock climbing). It starts and ends at the village of Buttermere, which is situated on the shores of the lake with the same name.

We start the day from Buttermere Dubs footbridge and then take the stone stepped path through Burntness Wood and up to Bleaberry Tarn before climbing the path to The Saddle and ascending Red Pike.

We then continue along the ridge taking in High Stile and High Crag before descending the steep slopes of Gamlin End to Scarth Gap where we start our ascent to the twin summits of Haystacks.

From Haystacks the path descends past Innominate Tarn and Blackbeck Tarn.

The very fit may want to detour here to take in the spectacular views from Fleetwith Pike. However, for normal, mortal beings, six peaks is usually enough for one day.

We then follow the path to Honister Hause and the famous Honister Slate Mine before starting the long slog up to the summit of Dale Head.

On a clear day there are stunning views from the delightfully crafted summit cairn at Dale Head towards Blencathra, Skiddaw and the fells around Newlands Valley. As seen in the photo above.

From Dale Head we now embark on the eastern leg of our circuit following the ridge path along Hindscarth Edge to reach the summit of Robinson – our final peak.

The route back is then reasonably straightforward, traversing rough open moorland of High Snockrigg (which can offer spectacular sunset views over Red Pike) before starting out on a knee jarringly steep descent to the Newlands Road above the church.

This is a tough high-level circuit of Buttermere that can be extended into a 7 Peak event, if you take in Fleetwith Pike.