Whiteless Pike

Whiteless Pike

Whiteless Pike rises to 660 m above the Buttermere valley. Seen from Crummock Water it has a pointed, almost separate outline, but the ridge behind it leads on towards Wandope and the higher North Western Fells. It makes a worthwhile summit on its own, with a much shorter day available than the full round over Grasmoor. The climb is still a proper fell walk, with steep ground and rocky steps above Whiteless Breast.

The summit is at NY180189. The highest ground is an unmarked spot about five metres west of a small pile of stones, rather than the top of a large cairn. Leave the stones where they are. In clear weather, Crummock Water and Loweswater lie below, the High Stile ridge fills the skyline across the valley, and the Scafells and Helvellyn range can be picked out farther away.

From Buttermere and back

For a direct visit, start at the National Trust car park on the edge of Buttermere. Take the fell path behind Crag Houses, join the path over High House Crag and climb to the Low Bank col above the head of Squat Beck. Turn towards Whiteless Breast rather than following Low Bank towards Rannerdale Knotts. The path steepens, crosses the shoulder and climbs the south ridge of Whiteless Pike through bands of rock.

Return by the same route to the car park. The full out-and-back is approximately 5.2 km, calculated from a published 1.6-mile outward route. Allow time for a careful descent as well as rests. The stone-pitched steps help with the climb, but wet rock and loose material still need attention. Turning round at Whiteless Pike keeps the day separate from the more exposed ridge beyond it.

A longer round from Rannerdale

A full circuit starts at the small roadside parking area northeast of Hause Point, NY163184. Walk into Rannerdale, stay on the southern side of Squat Beck and climb towards Low Bank to join the Whiteless Breast path. After Whiteless Pike, descend to Saddle Gate and continue over Whiteless Edge to Thirdgill Head Man and Wandope. From Wandope, follow the Addacomb Hole escarpment to Crag Hill, return to the col between Crag Hill and Grasmoor, then climb Grasmoor.

Retrace the summit plateau to the Lad Hows descent. Follow that ridge down, turn towards Cinderdale Beck and return by the Squat Beck footbridge to the starting point. This documented circuit is about 12.9 km with 892 m of ascent. It does not include Rannerdale Knotts. The recorded walk also visits the western viewpoint on Grasmoor before returning across the summit plateau. Plan it as a substantial mountain day rather than a small extension of the direct ascent.

Whiteless Edge has steep slopes on either side. The upper Lad Hows descent is very steep and loose, so it is a poor place to be hurrying at the end of a long day. In cloud, the broad ground around Wandope, Crag Hill and Grasmoor also needs careful navigation. Carry a map and compass and know how to use them; an obvious path in sunshine can be much less helpful once visibility closes in.

Planning the walk

Buttermere has pay-and-display parking and public toilets. Use marked parking spaces and leave gates and passing places clear. The small Rannerdale start is separate from the village car park, so choose the right start before setting off. Take food, water and warm waterproof clothing for the whole walk.

The 77/77A Honister Rambler links Keswick and Buttermere seasonally. Check the current timetable and the last return before making plans around it, particularly outside the main visitor season. The separate Cockermouth shuttle has finished its 2026 season.

Strong wind makes the open ridges harder going. Snow and ice change the rocky ascent and steep descent considerably, and winter conditions call for suitable equipment and experience. Rannerdale's spring flowers are best enjoyed from the paths, without cutting across the vegetation.