Routes

Planner

Features

Updates

App

Get the App

Red Pike (Buttermere)

Red Pike (Buttermere)

Highlight • Climb

Red Pike (Buttermere)

Hiking

4.9

(101)

The High Stile range dominates the south side of the popular Buttermere Valley, a great mountain wall containing three high Wainwrights and plenty of potential for great hiking adventures. Red Pike is arguably the shapeliest of the big three summits, a towering peak that stands proud directly above Buttermere village.

A popular summit in the magnificent High Stile range

The quickest routes to Red Pike leave Buttermere village, climb through woodland and alongside the tumbling Soul Milk Gill to Bleaberry Tarn, an absolute jewel of a mountain pool. Nestled in the cwm between Red Pike and High Stile, it is one of the most scenic tarns in Lakeland. From here, paths ascend to the Saddle between Red Pike and its subsidiary top, Dodd, before a steep final pull up to the summit.

Approaches from Crummock Water are also magical, via the impressive Scale Force waterfall and the picturesque Scale Beck. During the tough final ascent to the summit, the origin of the fell’s name becomes clear in the red-hued syenite rock below your feet. It’s not the only Red Pike in the region either, the fell shares its name with another high fell above Wasdale.

The High Stile range enjoys marvellous views southeast to the giants of Pillar and the Scafells, and northeast across the northern Lake District and down into Buttermere. On a good day, five lakes can be spotted from the summit. A continuation along the ridge to Wainwright’s favourite fell, Haystacks, is one of the classic hill walks in the national park.

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Lake District National Park

Save

Location: Buttermere, Allerdale, Cumbria, North West England, England, United Kingdom

Save

See nearby routes

Take Me There

Tips

Tom

June 17, 2019

Hiking

So called due to the red coloured soil and stone, do be careful going down Red Pike as the paths have all but eroded and its mainly loose stones. If you park at Buttermere village and make Red Pike your first climb, then you can more or less keep going all day. High Stile, High Crag, Haystacks, Fleetwith Pike, Honister, and Dale Head are all on a circular route if you have the energy and time.

Adventurer Nic

February 3, 2020

Hiking

On a good day you can see 5 of the Lake District lakes from this summit. Can you name them?

David Howells

June 12, 2021

Hiking

I came to Red from Little Dodd but went down Red Pike to bag Dodd. Very loose shale and rocks on the way down so be careful. A beautiful peak though. Must be a bit of a slog to come up from the valley.

Nearby routes

Best routes near Red Pike (Buttermere)

4.7

(91)

852

hikers

#1.

High Stile Summit – Buttermere loop from Buttermere

13.3km

05:19

790m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate with device

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

4.8

(8)

118

hikers

#2.

Buttermere Lake – Innominate Tarn loop from Buttermere

18.3km

06:34

910m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

Navigate with device

Send to Phone

Save

Hard

4.7

(19)

201

hikers

#3.