Fleetwith Pike & Buttermere Infinity Pools

How it went

There's something about standing on top of Fleetwith Pike that puts everything else in perspective. Our first hike back as SOLNA took us from Gatesgarth Farm up the steep heather ridge to the summit, down past Dubs Bothy, and finished with a wild swim in the Buttermere infinity pools — cold, ridiculous, and exactly what everyone needed.

• Approx. 5 miles
• 4–5 hours with stops
• Around 600m of climbing
• Steep ascent with easy scrambling

The route

1. Meet at Gatesgarth Farm car park at the head of Buttermere.
2. The direct ascent of Fleetwith Pike — steep, a bit of hands-on-rock, and the views open up behind you the whole way.
3. Summit stop looking straight down the length of Buttermere and Crummock Water.
4. Down the back via the old quarry tracks past Dubs Bothy.
5. Warnscale Beck and the Buttermere infinity pools — swim if you dare, paddle if you don't.
6. Back along the valley to Gatesgarth.

Who came

Regular faces, people new to mountain days, and the next generation — a couple of walkers had never been up a fell before. Nobody got left behind.

What's included

A guided day out — no route-planning or overthinking required. Experienced leaders who carry first aid, navigation and emergency kit, and set a pace nobody gets left behind at. A bottle of water each. And 25% of your ticket to CALM, because Solna isn't just about the miles.

Meeting point: Gatesgarth Farm, Buttermere. A kit list is sent when you book — you don't need expensive gear to start.