Get Lost Mountaineering

Starling Dodd & Great Borne via Scale Force from Buttermere

Start/Finish

Buttermere village where free parking is very hard to find so arrive early if you don't wish to pay.

Distance/Time

18 km    About 6 – 7 hours

Peaks

Starling Dodd, 633 m, NY 142 158.

Great Borne, 616 m, NY 124 164.   OL4 North Western Lakes

Introduction

This is longish walk which is very rough underfoot in places especially when ascending the path by the side of Scale Force which, surprisingly, is not well signposted when one considers that most who visit are not experienced hillwalkers. The return from Great Borne crosses much soft ground but isn't too bad if the correct paths are followed. The path up the side of Scale Force is very rough and awkward in places.

Route

(1) In Buttermere, walk down the side of the Bridge Hotel and continue to the track at the bottom. Follow this to a right hand corner where the required track has a hedge only on its left; there is a signpost here but it's easily missed. The track ends after crossing an old stone bridge where one turns right. Follow the path over some footbridges with Crummock Water well to the right. Look for a good path going off left or take the next path which leads across a bridge then continues upstream to cross back over another bridge; the former path is more direct and does not cross the stream. Both routes lead to a bridge at the foot of Scale Force. With care it is possible to get nearer to the bottom waterfall.

(2) Take the path ascending up the side of the stream which has the stream to your right. Take care on the rough and awkwards and be aware that there are some big drops off the path. The trees obscure a lot of the view but there will be glimpses of Scale Beck and the odd waterfall. Higher up, when the angle eases, the path is little better. Eventually, the path leaves the beck and ascends roughly south east. At twp prominent small boulders, a faint path goes off right (straight ahead is for Red Pike) and picks its way onto the ridge between Red Pike and Starling Dodd wher ethere is a very obvious path. Follow the path WSW initially. A short diversion can be made to take in Little Dodd after which the main path is easily rejoined. Continue up easy slopes to reach a small plateau where a medium cairn marks the summit of Starling Dodd, 633 m.

(3) Continue on the same path which undulates and meanders before finally ascending by an old fence. At the highest point, go left onto a very stony area to reach a shelter cairn and trig point which marks the summit of Great Borne, 616 m.

(4) Return to the fence and follow it. It may seem to be going in the wrong direction but it soon reaches a corner then starts to descend increasingly more steeply. Follow the fence all the way down, not far from the minor lump of Floutern Cap. Cross the stile at the bottom and follow the grassy track but do not cross the second stile but keep going shadowing that fence where the second stile is. Go through a gate soon after the stile and keep heading, roughly east, passing the scenic Floutern Tarn. Ignore the stile near here and continue to cross the fence at a muddy gate. From here on, follow what looks like the best path, crossing two streams and passing an old ruin then an old animal enclosure. The path can be wet in places but does pass through the ferns without any difficulty. The path eventually leads to the foot of Scale Force but the final section is rough and crosses a landslip. From the foot of Scale Force, retrace back to the start.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 29^th July, 2024.