A nice morning undertaking a low-level circuit of beautiful Buttermere and in the afternoon an ascent of Ling Fell and Sale Fell.

Walk: Buttermere Circuit
Date: Monday 17th May 2021
Company: Myself and Kate

This morning we visited Buttermere, one of my favourite locations in the Lake District.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

After parking next to the small church, we descended to the village and then undertook an anti-clockwise circuit. I opted to carry my heavy DSLR hoping to see plentiful wildlife. We saw plentiful sheep but not much else .

Buttermere :


The views from the West end of Buttermere this morning were fantastic.

Buttermere reflections:


The wildlife highlight of the walk was spotting and photographing a couple of Red-breasted Merganser.

Red-breasted Merganser:


I last walked the length of Buttermere in 2019 when ascending Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag.

It would have been fantastic to ascend Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike today but I had set off without a rucksack, without water and carrying a heavy DSLR. These would therefore have to wait for another day.

East end of Buttermere and Fleetwith Pike:


Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks from Peggy's Bridge:


Kate enjoyed seeing lots of Herdwicks .

Herdwicks:


Looking back towards Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks:


As we progressed back along the other side of Buttermere we had to pass through a small cave.

Small cave on path:


Nice green water:


On returning to the village we decided to have lunch at Syke Farm Tea Room. Worth a visit as they do nice pies and home made ice cream.

Syke Farm Tea Room:



After our circuit of Buttermere, we returned north for an ascent of two easy Wainwrights.

Hill: Ling Fell
Date: Monday 17th May 2021
Company: Just myself
Distance: 1.9km, Ascent: 185m
Time: 36 Mins

It was originally my intention to follow a landrover track up Ling Fell. However, on spotting a much more direct ascent route I decided instead to simply head straight up.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

Steep direct ascent of Ling Fell:


Looking back during steep ascent:


During my ascent of Ling Fell I checked out my next small fell, Sale Fell.

Sale Fell from Ling Fell:


I first visited the summit (no feature) before returning to also visit the trig point.

Looking back to the trig point from the summit of Ling Fell:


View from Ling Fell trig point:


I then returned to the car via the same route.

Hill: Sale Fell
Date: Monday 17th May 2021
Company: Just myself
Distance: 2.4km, Ascent: 190m
Time: 39 Mins

After a quick drink, I next commenced my ascent of Sale Fell.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

Again, instead of taking the longer, gentler ascent route, I headed straight-up.

Initial steep ascent of Sale Fell:


View during ascent:


Beyond the initial steep ascent, it was a nice gentle grassy walk to the summit.

View towards the summit of Sale Fell:


At the summit of Sale Fell:


View from the summit of Sale Fell:


View from the summit of Sale Fell:


I then returned to the car via the same route.

Ling Fell from Sale Fell:


Steep descent:


A nice first day in the Lake District on the first day of hotels re-opening in England .