Red Pike, Buttermere

For me, a circuit of Red PIke, High Stile and High Crag was the ‘icing on the cake’ of my summer days spent with the family in Buttermere. The route could expand to include Great Borne, Starling Dodd, Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike when time and family commitments allowed. My preferred ascent of Red Pike is via Bleaberry Tarn, but the ascent via Scale Force is also an option.

A recent variation, collecting Wainwrights, consisted of Red Pike, Starling Dodd, Great Borne, Hen Comb and Mellbreak (north and south tops).

Syenite in the rock and subsoil of the fell produces the rich red colouring that has given Red Pike its name. While my image reflects the three main tops of the classic circuit, Red Pike, High Stile and High Crag the other two colours are borrowed from Bleaberry Tarn and Haystacks.