Fleetwith Pike

Fleetwith Pike is a fell in the Lake District overlooking Buttermere and Honister Pass. It stands 648 metres high and forms the north-western shoulder of Grey Knotts. The fell is bounded by Honister Pass to the north and Warnscale Bottom to the south-west. Two streams from these valleys unite beneath the fell in Buttermere. Fleetwith Edge rises almost from the lakeshore at Gatesgarth and is a striking feature from all directions. The fell has been quarried for green slate since the 1750s at Honister Crag on its Honister Pass side. Slate mining ceased in 1986 but restarted in 1997. Fleetwith Pike is often climbed with nearby fells such as Haystacks and Grey Knotts. Strong walkers may also include Great Gable and Green Gable. There are two starting points: Gatesgarth in Buttermere valley and the top of Honister Pass. The summit cairn sits a short distance from the top of Fleetwith Edge among grass and heather. The view from the summit covers Buttermere valley and the lakes of Crummock Water and Loweswater. Close by are the fells of Pillar and Great Gable. The ascent from Honister Pass goes through the Honister Slate Mine workings and over Black Star, the highest point of Honister Crag. The Gatesgarth route passes a white cross erected in memory of Fanny Mercer, who died in 1887.