Walk Haystacks, Lake District, Cumbria, England

Amazing walk to Haystacks summit from the gorgeous Buttermere Lake. Dog friendly.

 

Haystacks by Buttermere walk Information:

  • Distance: 12km
  • Duration: 4h
  • Ascent: 618m
  • Level: Medium
  • Car park: Several ones at Buttermere village or Gatesgarth, National Trust car park at the entrance of Buttermere, fees apply to all car park.
  • Dog friendly: Yes- no stiles, some fields with cows and sheeps
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Haystacks is one of the most famous peaks in the Buttermere Valley. It is also visible from the edges of the lake from where starts the path to access it. Mid-September, we decided to discover this summit which reveals two tarns and a beautiful ridge that allows to easily go from one small summit to another.

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The path we have chosen is quite easy because the slope is as gentle to climb as to go down and it is visible and wide. Only the summit of Haystacks requires a small part of scrambling. Once up a vast plateau opens to the walkers with a beautiful view of Buttermere on one side and the Ennerdale Valley on the other. Then come the two tarns of Innominate Tarn and Blackbeck Tarn. After crossing several streams, the trail descends zigzagging along the side of Fleetwith Pike before reaching the shores of Buttermere Lake. Like many places in this valley, you will find a lot of people at the top of this summit.

Find the walk around Buttermere here and around Ennerdale lake here.

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To do this hike, it is possible to park in the village of Buttermere (for a hike of around 12km) or to Gatesgarth farm (for a short of around 7km)

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Here are the key steps to do this hike:

  • If you start from the village, at the lake turn right on the shores towards the undergrowth and the waterfall. Continue straight on this path along the lake until you reach almost the end of the lake. Turn right on the stone path to Warnscale, Scarth Gap and Haystacks.
  • If you start from the farm take the path that goes to the edge of the lake. Go through the gate and take the path to the left that climbs to Warnscarle, Scarth Gap and the summit of Haystacks.
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  • Once at the top of Haystacks, take the direction of Innominate Tarn and Blackbeck Tarn. Once past these two tarns, cross Warnscale Beck twice before turning left onto the wide path that goes down to the valley. Continue straight on this path until you reach Gatesgarth Farm.
  • If you are parked in the village of Buttermere, you will have to follow the Honister Pass road for a little while before you see on the left a path that joins the shores of the lake and runs along it to the village.

Do you know this summit and this hike?

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Find all our dog friendly walks in the Lake District National Park in this page. To discover our adventures in the United Kingdom it is here.

10 thoughts on “Walk Haystacks, Lake District, Cumbria, England

  1. Just did this 2 weeks ago! But started from Gatesgarth, mainly because Buttermere village was full by the time I arrived! (Despite being out of the main holiday season). It wasn’t too busy on top of Haystacks, mind. Most people seemed to be just walking around the lake

    Liked by 1 person

  2. J’aime beaucoup votre blog. Un plaisir de venir flâner sur vos pages. Une belle découverte et blog très intéressant. Je reviendrai m’y poser. N’hésitez pas à visiter mon univers. Au plaisir.

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