Buttermere
Buttermere, which derives its name from a corruption of 'Boethar', a Norse chieftain who bestowed his name on the lake, is approached via the bleak Honister Pass. The lake, which is one and a half miles long , just under a mile across at its widest point, and over 90 feet deep, was divided from adjacent Crummock Water when a larger lake silted up at its centre.
Buttermere
There is a footpath which circumnavigates the lake. Buttermere is surrounded by the dramatic high fells of Red Pike, High Stile, Scarf Gap and High Crag. To the south of the lake stand Warnscale (which derives from the old Norse 'Skali'- summer passtures)Haystacks, and Fleetwith Pike. Haystacks at 1,959 feet (597metres) is perhaps the easiest summit in the ridge to climb and is an impressive and inspiring sight, it was one of Alfred Wainwright's favourie mountains. (OS grid ref:- NY194132) Its summit has a profusion of small pools, tarns and marshland. The best views of the lake are from the west across to Fleetwith Pike
The area saw large settlement of Vikings in the 9th and 10th centuries and many names of Norse origin linger in the area, streams are termed becks, from the Old Norse 'bekr', mountains are 'fells' from the Norse fjall, waterfalls forces (fos), ravines 'gills' and small lakes are termed tarns which derives from 'tjorn', meaning teardrop.
Rannerdale on the lake's north shore, is famous for its spring carpet of bluebells. Rannerdale Knotts at 1160ft, can be accessed from Buttermere village, its summit offers superb views of Crummock Water, Buttermere and the surrounding fells. Most of the Buttermere and the land surrounding it are owned by the National Trust.
Buttermere seen from above Crummock Water. Click to enlarge
Buttermere contains trout and char, a species left over from the Ice Age. One of the most popular walks around the lake is the one to Scale Force, the highest waterfall in the Lake District.
See also:-
A walk at Rannerdale
Distance :- four and a half miles (7.2km)
Duration :- 3 hours
*Commencing at the roadside parking area at Cinderdale Common, beneath Grasmoor, walk up beside Cinderdale Beck for around 50 yards (46m) cross the beck, following the broad track leading up to Rannerdale Knotts.
*As the path reaches the entrance to Rannerdale, cross the footbridge over Squat Beck, turn left to a gate and take the path which rises up to Rannerdale.
*Continue on the path to the highest point of the dale, from where excellent views of Robinson unfold.
*Turn right at the top of the dale to the path that runs along the top of a ridge. The route down keeps initially to the right of the top of the Knotts, it reaches a low col between the main summit and a minor peak lower down. Turn left here and descend into a rocky gully.
*Turn left at the bottom of the gully, then right through bracken, descending to Hause Point. When the road is reached, turn right and then turn and cross a parking area. Follow the wall and then turn into the entrance to Rannerdale. Recross the bridge over Squat Beck and retrace your route to Cinderdale Common.