Crummock Water walk, Lake District

This dramatic circular walk follows the shores of Crummock Water beneath some of the Lake District’s most spectacular fells.

By Vivienne Crow

Published: Thursday, 22 June 2023 at 12:00 am

With a gauze of mist hanging lazily over its dark waters and the bracken providing a vegetated backdrop,  Crummock Water is an atmospheric place to visit no matter what the season.

On both sides of the lake, imposing fells rear up, adding drama to the scene.

Buttermere is our starting point for the circuit of Crummock Water, but first we climb to the head of Rannerdale to enjoy a stroll down this hidden side valley…

Looking for more great walks in the Lake District? We have plenty of routes nearby, including Cat Bells, Tarn Hows and Helvellyn.

Lake District walks

Of all the national parks in Britain, the Lake District in North England is arguably the most celebrated – discover the area’s fells, rivers, waters and towns with our guide to the best walks in the Lake District National Park.

"The

Crummock Water walk

7.3 miles/11.7km | 4 hours | moderate | 295m ascent

1. Start

The small gate on the far side of the B5289, opposite the Bridge Hotel, provides access to an oak woodland trail. Leave via a gate and cross diagonally left, ascending a narrow trail. Keep right as another trail goes left. At the next junction, turn right, bear left at a fork and then go straight over a crossing of paths.

2. Rannerdale Knotts

Reaching Rannerdale Knotts’ grassy ridge path, turn right and immediately descend left. Go left again at the bottom of the drop, now descending through the steep-sided valley of Rannerdale with Crummock Water ahead. Nearing the valley’s western end, go through a gate, cross the bridge and continue downstream.

"Rannerdale
View towards Rannerdale Knotts and Crummock Water/Credit: Getty

3. Crummock shores

About 0.6 miles beyond the bridge, ford a beck above a parking area. Drop to the road, turn right for about 190 yards and then go left through a kissing-gate. Descend beside a wall, soon following a lake path north. The open aspect gives way to wooded shores.

4. High Stile view

Approaching Crummock Water’s northern end, drop to some benches near the water’s edge.

Continue beside the lake, crossing three footbridges, with improving views down the lake towards the High Stile range.

After passing to the right of an old pumphouse, keep close to the lake. A gate at the far end of a shingle beach gives access to the damp western shore, directly beneath Mellbreak. On the lake’s far side is Grasmoor, its western face dissected by crags and gullies frequented by scramblers.

Looking for another walk?

Buttermere and Rannerdale Knotts

7.5 miles/12km | 4.5 hours | moderate | 374m ascent

This lake and fell walk includes some of the Lake District’s most beautiful trees and forests, where myth and legend tangle with the Scots pines and the golden needles of larches.

"Beautiful

5. Scale Knott

As the slopes to the right ease back, cross the first of two bridges. Beyond these, continue south-east across boggy ground, keeping about 200 yards back from the lake.

Before long, a better path is joined. This crosses another two footbridges before finally parting company with Crummock Water.

6. Buttermere Dubs

Take the next turning on the left, crossing Buttermere Dubs. Follow the track to its junction with a wider one. Turn left to return to Buttermere village.

Crummock Water map

Crummock Water walking route and map

"Crummock

Useful information

Starting point

Bridge Hotel, Buttermere CA13 9UZ. There are pay-and-display car parks in Buttermere and the village is served by Stagecoach bus 77/77A from Keswick (April to early November).

Terrain

Woodland; short climb up grassy hillside; lakeshore (boggy in places); rough tracks.

Map

OS Explorer OL4

Eat/drink

There are several pubs and cafés in this village, including the Bridge Hotel (017687 70252)

Stay

Buttermere has B&B accommodation, a campsite and a YHA hostel.