How to Walk Fleetwith Pike in Lake District

If you’re looking to conquer the Fleetwith Pike Walk while visiting the Lake District, this article is for you. This guide will arm you with everything you need to know about hiking Fleetwith Pike and help you prepare for the adventure ahead.

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Fleetwith Pike Walk FAQs

Fleetwith Pike Hike Height

Fleetwith Pike stands at the height of 648 metres, equivalent to 2126 feet. This puts Fleetwith Pike 115th on the list of the tallest Wainwright Fells. 

Fleetwith Pike Walk Difficulty

While Fleetwith Pike might seem modest in relation to the taller Wainwright Fells, this is still a moderately tough hike requiring a reasonable fitness level and suitable hiking gear.

You can take a few different routes to the top, which I cover further down. Some are easier than others, but all require a fair bit of scrambling as you approach the summit.

With that in mind, I would only recommend attempting Fleetwith Pike during good weather.

How Long to Climb Fleetwith Pike

Naturally, this will vary from person to person and also depends on which route you take. On average, it takes around 1-2 hours to hike from the very bottom to the summit of Fleetwith Pike.

Parking at Fleetwith Pike

If you’re travelling by car, there is a car park at the foot of Fleetwith Pike, which is a great place to start and end your walk.

At the time of writing, it is £4 to park for the entire day. There are also various National Trust car parks in the surrounding area.

Fleetwith Pike Walk with Dogs

We completed the Fleetwith Pike hike via Fleetwith Edge with our Jack Russel cross Chihuahua, Ronnie. This was Ronnie’s first time attempting fell walks of this kind, and he loved every minute of it.

We had read various contradicting reviews about taking dogs on this walk. However, we needn’t have worried. Ronnie raced up the trail with no troubles at all.

We had tested the waters on the easier Catbells hike a few days earlier, so we had an idea of his capabilities on tougher terrain.

I suggest doing the same if your dog is new to hikes like this one. Test the waters with a less demanding hike trail and see how they get on.

Tip – You’ll encounter sheep and other wildlife along the route. For their safety and your pet’s safety, please keep all dogs on leads.

Fleetwith Pike Walking Routes

There are many different walking trails that lead to the summit of Fleetwith Pike. Here I’ll list the most popular routes.

Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere Walk

If you want to add some distance and variety to your hike, it’s worth doing a circular walk to Fleetwith Pike from Buttermere (view map).

Since we were camping near Buttermere in our campervan, this is exactly what we did.

We started and ended the hike at Syke Farm Cafe, and the total round distance was approximately 7 miles. We were gone for 5 hours, but only 3-4 hours of those were actual moving time.

From the cafe, we walked along the eastern shore of Buttermere lake. Stunning vistas ring this idyllic expansive lake, so it’s certainly not a dull walk.

The sharp ridge of Fleetwith Pike is unmissable from the lake’s edge. From afar it seems to steep to be able to climb it. But as you edge closer you make out the two primary trails that lead to the summit.

Fleetwith Pike via Fleetwith Edge Walk

The most strenuous trail ascends alongside the narrow ridge line. To take it, follow the signpost to Fleetwith Pike at the foot of fell.

This route starts out steep but with no real technical difficulty, zig-zagging its way to the upper portion of the trail.

It isn’t long before you’re rewarded with breathtaking views back over Buttermere and the surrounding fells.

You will encounter a white cross nestled alongside the trail. It’s a memorial to Fanny Mercer – a young woman who slipped and died while descending the ridge.

Things get a bit hairy around the midway point when the trail transforms into a succession of rocky terrain. Seasoned hikers will have no trouble making the ascent but be prepared for a fair amount of scrambling.

All in all, the trail is relatively easy to navigate. There were a couple of sections where we had to stop and assess the route, but the well-trodden path helped lead the way.

One thing to note is that looks can be deceiving. Just as you think you have reached the top, the trail continues up another 200 metres or so.

Thankfully, the exhilarating climb and sweeping vistas help with the final push. You’ll know when you get there as a sizeable cairn marks the summit.

Fleetwith Pike via Warnscale Quarry Walk

Take a right at the signpost and follow the trail through Warnscale quarry for a more gradual climb to the summit with less scrambling involved.

This trail is arguably more interesting than Fleetwith Edge, albeit slightly less exhilarating. That’s because there’s a fair bit more to see and encounters a diversity of terrain.

It’s also a slightly longer route measuring in at around 2.5 miles from foot to summit.

Along this route, you will encounter Warnscale Beck, a series of waterfalls and streams that cascade down through the quarry.

There are also a couple of mountain bothies – one at Warnscale and one at Dub Slate. I wish we’d known about them beforehand, as we’d have most certainly taken this route back down.

The route meanders alongside Fleetwith and snakes its way through Dub Slate Quarry before making a final ascent to the summit.

For an enjoyable circular walk to Fleetwith Pike, I recommend ascending via Fleetwith Edge and descending via Warnscale Quarry (view map).

Fleetwith Pike From Honister Walk

The easiest walking route to Fleetwith Pike is from Honister Slate Mine.

In fact, it’s much easier than the two routes above since you start at the top of the Honister Pass, reducing the climb to ‘just’ 285 metres.

Don’t be fooled, though. You can still expect a strenuous leg workout. Although straightforward to navigate, the trail is steep, and you can expect some scree as you approach the summit.

Unlike the other routes, this one is suitable for younger children and adults or dogs who may be less able.

To park at Honister Slate Mine will set you back £5 for the entire day.

Enjoy this Fleetwith Pike Walk!

That’s everything you need to know about hiking Fleetwith Pike. Check out our Lake District series for more travel tips and advice.

If you love the Lake District, you’ll also love the Peak District! Check out our peak district series.

If you have any questions, please ask. Otherwise, I wish you happy and safe travels.

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