Buttermere and Crummock Water Circuit

The route

This 17.5 km loop strings together the two lakes of the Buttermere valley on good, low paths. With only around 20 m of ascent it is one of the gentlest long runs in the area, which makes it a fine recovery day or a first attempt at the distance. There are no fells to climb here, so the effort comes purely from the kilometres.

Starting from Buttermere village you follow the Buttermere lakeshore first, a flat and mostly firm path beneath the towering slopes of Fleetwith Pike and High Stile. Partway round you pass through the short rock tunnel, hewn through a crag so the shoreline path could continue, which always raises a smile mid run.

The two lakes

A brief link past the village takes you onto the second half around Crummock Water, the larger of the pair. The western shore here is quieter and a little rougher underfoot, with the bulk of Mellbreak rising straight from the water. Views back to the head of the valley, with Haystacks and the Buttermere fells stacked behind, are some of the best lake level scenery in Lakeland.

Why it works

It is honest, low level running with huge mountain surroundings and none of the navigation or exposure of the high routes nearby. Footing is good enough for steady running throughout, with a few stony and rooty sections to keep you paying attention. Pair it with a swim on a warm day, or use it as a relaxed leg stretch between bigger outings. There is parking and a tea room in the village, so you are never far from a brew at either end. The valley feels remote despite the easy going, and in autumn the bracken on the surrounding slopes turns deep copper, making this one of the most photogenic low runs anywhere in Lakeland.