NY2014 : Old Miners Hut, Honister Crag
Route-dependent; scrambling on Fleetwith Edge

Fleetwith Pike

649m Elevation
118m Prominence
England Country
Find walking friends Explore routes

Good walks are even better shared.

NY2014 : Old Miners Hut, Honister Crag

Iain Lees Photo source

Overview

Fleetwith Pike rises to 648.9 m above the head of Buttermere in the Lake District’s Western Fells. Honister offers a high starting point, while Fleetwith Edge is a steeper approach with rocky scrambling steps. The summit overlooks Buttermere and Crummock Water.

Fleetwith Pike

Overview and summit

Fleetwith Pike is a 648.9 m Wainwright in the Western Fells above Buttermere. The recorded high point is a rock 5 m from the cairn at NY 20592 14166; higher ground may be concealed beneath the cairn. Views include Buttermere, Crummock Water and the surrounding fells.

Walking routes

The Honister out-and-back, Fleetwith Edge circuit and combined Haystacks circuit have different starting points and demands. See the route cards for each complete itinerary and its measurements. Every listed route visits Fleetwith Pike’s summit and returns to its own start. Fleetwith Edge involves steep rocky steps and minor scrambling. The Warnscale Head Bothy variant crosses a ford and uses a rough descent; the alternative north-bank descent omits the bothy and is not the same measured circuit.

Access and facilities

Use Gatesgarth Farm parking for the valley circuits or the mine parking at Honister Pass for the high-start route. Seasonal buses stop near Honister; check the timetable and return service. Café and toilets are at Honister’s visitor centre during opening hours. Bring drinking water. Keep to walking routes around the quarry and follow restrictions; via ferrata and other commercial attractions are separate activities.

Conditions

Carry mountain clothing and navigation equipment. Wet rock, loose gravel, wind and mist can make progress harder. Snow and ice require winter skills and equipment, particularly on Fleetwith Edge. Do not attempt the Warnscale ford in high or fast water. Allow daylight for the whole return and follow local access notices.

Geology and history

The green slate at Honister formed from volcanic-fragment rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group. Old quarry tracks, tramways and workings remain visible around the fell. Mining restarted in 1997. Haystacks is a neighbouring fell; Grasmoor is a separate objective across the Buttermere valley.

Explore routes near Fleetwith Pike

Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.

Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route

14.1 km ~7h Hard

View route

Scafell Pike via Brown Tongue and Hollow Stones

8.1 km ~4h Hard

View route

Steeple, Scoat Fell and Haycock from Ennerdale

View route

Whinlatter dark skies walk

View route

Route planning notes

These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.

Fleetwith Pike from Honister (out and back)

Start at Honister Slate Mine. Follow the quarry track towards Drum House, then take the summit path to Fleetwith Pike. Return by the same route to Honister. The full walk is approximately 6.4 km (4 miles); allow 2–3 hours. Follow walking paths and quarry signs; the commercial via ferrata is a separate activity.

6.4 km Moderate mountain walk

Fleetwith Pike and Haystacks from Gatesgarth

From Gatesgarth Farm, climb Fleetwith Edge to Fleetwith Pike’s summit. Descend to Dubs Hut and continue via Blackbeck Tarn and Innominate Tarn to Haystacks. Return west over Scarth Gap, then via Peggy’s Bridge to Gatesgarth. This complete circuit is 8.9 km with 758 m ascent; allow about 5 hours. Expect steep rocky steps, scrambling and careful navigation.

8.9 km Strenuous walk with minor scrambling

Fleetwith Edge and Warnscale Head Bothy circuit

From Gatesgarth, bypass Low Raven Crag on its left and climb the rocky Fleetwith Edge to Fleetwith Pike’s summit. Continue over Black Star, then descend quarry tracks to Dubs Hut. Ford Warnscale Beck, visit Warnscale Head Bothy and descend the rough path to the lower footbridge; follow farm tracks back to Gatesgarth. The full circuit is 7.4 km with 589 m ascent. The ford may be impassable in spate. The north-bank descent from Dubs Hut is a different, shorter alternative without the bothy; these metrics describe the ford-and-bothy route.

7.4 km Steep mountain walk and minor scrambling
Browse more walks on the map

Make a day of it, together

Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.

Find walking friends Plan a walk here
Hill facts and local notes

Classifications

Hump Simm Hewitt Nuttall Wainwright Birkett Synge Fellranger

Elevation

649m

2,129 ft

Prominence

118m

Coordinates

54.5166, -3.2282

NY205141

OS Map

89 90

Explorer: OL4S

At the Summit

Rock 5 m from the summit cairn at NY 20592 14166. DoBIH notes that higher ground may be concealed beneath the cairn; there is no summit trig point recorded.

Terrain & Geology

Quarry tracks rough upland paths and boggy patches steep rocky steps and nearby cliffs on Fleetwith Edge rough descent and a ford on the Warnscale Head Bothy circuit

Honister’s green slate is cleaved volcanic-fragment rock of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, particularly the Eagle Crag Member of the Birker Fell Formation. The slate workings extend into the mountain as well as across its slopes.

Views & Scenery

From the summit, enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding lakes, including Buttermere and Crummock Water, as well as the towering peaks such as Haystacks and the High Stile Ridge.

History & Heritage

Historical Significance

The slate workings and old tramways are prominent features around Honister. The mine reopened in 1997, and a commercial via ferrata followed in 2007. These attractions are separate from the ordinary summit walking routes.

Getting There & Facilities

Parking

Paid parking at Gatesgarth Farm, NY194149, for the valley circuits. For the Honister route, use the slate mine car park at the top of Honister Pass. Honister currently lists £5 day parking after the first free hour; check signs on arrival. Buttermere village parking is farther from these starts.

Public Transport

Seasonal Honister Rambler buses serve YHA Honister Hause near the mine. Check the current timetable and last return before planning a bus-based walk; do not assume year-round service.

Nearby Facilities

Honister Slate Mine has the Bait Cabin café and toilets in its visitor centre, subject to opening hours. The operator says mains drinking water is unavailable, so carry water. These facilities are at Honister, not Gatesgarth Farm.

Safety Information

Known Hazards

  • Fleetwith Edge has steep rocky steps requiring hands, loose ground and cliffs close to the path.
  • Mist can make route-finding difficult across the upland paths and quarry tracks. Keep clear of restricted workings and follow local signs.
  • The Warnscale Head Bothy circuit crosses a ford: do not attempt it when water is high or fast.

Seasonal Hazards

Wet rock and loose gravel require care. Snow or ice makes the steep ridge substantially more serious; choose a route suited to your skills and equipment. Check the mountain forecast and allow enough daylight for the return.

General Safety Tips

  • Check weather conditions before setting out
  • Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
  • Let someone know your planned route
  • Take a map, compass, and GPS device
  • Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch

Hills

Some common questions about the hills answered

Are there group walks up Fleetwith Pike?

Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Fleetwith Pike through the maps

Are there other walkers around Fleetwith Pike?

Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Fleetwith Pike search or of course create your own walk for Fleetwith Pike

Can I organise a walk to Fleetwith Pike?

Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.

If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Fleetwith Pike.

How do I find a walk up this hill?

There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.

Can I suggest a new route up Fleetwith Pike?

Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.

Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Fleetwith Pike here

The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?

We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible

Location

Fleetwith Pike location map

Grid reference: NY205141

View on OpenStreetMap

Opens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.

Nearby Hills

Great Gable

Great Gable

899m

High Stile [Grey Crag - High Stile]

806m

 Pillar

Pillar

892m

Crag Hill [Eel Crag]

839m

 Scafell Pike

Scafell Pike

978m
See 5 more nearby hills