WALK TO WARNSCALE BOTHY: THE ULTIMATE STEP-BY-STEP TRAIL GUIDE!

LOOKING TO COMPLETE THE WALK TO WARNSCALE BOTHY?

When we visited the Lake District, one of the easiest and rewarding trails we did was the walk to Warnscale Bothy! From our experience, we have created this visual step-by-step trail guide (using our own photographs) for you to follow.

We also cover the best place to park and prices, on-site facilities, what to expect and what to bring.

THE WALK TO WARNSCALE BOTHY:
A STEP BY STEP TRAIL GUIDE!

National Trust Honister car park to Warnscale Bothy lake District walking trail visual map — **© Google Maps** A visual infographic map overlay showing the walk to Warnscale Bothy from National Trust Honister car park, created by Jordie.

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HOW LONG IS THE WARNSCALE BOTHY WALK?

From the National Trust Honister car park, the walk to Warnscale Bothy is a relatively straight 2.1km, and could take you anytime from 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.

Allow a short time at Warnscale Bothy, admiring the view, before heading back the way you came.

In total, this Warnscale Bothy walk will take approximately 3 hours return.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE WARNSCALE BOTHY WALK?

It is the beginning of the walk that will get your blood pumping! Start off with moderately steep stone steps before changing to a straight uphill path.

One you reach the hilltop, you’ll be relieved to know it does level out flat until Dubs Hut. From Dubs Hut to Warnscale Bothy, the gradients are moderate, but not too challenging.

POINT 1

Drive along Honister Pass road until you come across the YHA / National Trust Honister car park on the left-hand side.

Be sure to make use of the free toilets here before you begin your Warnscale Bothy walk!

National Trust Honister car park - the best place to park to walk to Warnscale Bothy in the Lake District UK — Point 1. Just outside the facility block. There is are toilets / a gift shop / cafe. You can also get slate signs personally made here! Photograph taken by Jordie.

Did You Know: This Warnscale Bothy walk is included in our long weekend Lake District travel itinerary!

POINT 2

Start walking up the obvious gravel road leading away from the right-hand of the car park. After about 20 metres, take the signposted ‘Great Gable Haystacks’ route, which begins to veer up the hill (and off the road) to the left.

Photos of the walk to Warnscale Bothy Lake District from National Trust honister car park — Point 2. Look out for this signpost for the start of the route. Photograph taken by Jordie.

To start, it is a stepped pathway gently ascending up the hill.

The start of the walk to Warnscale Bothy Lake District from National Trust honister car park — Point 2. (Looking forward) Walk from the right-hand side car park, up the road approx. 20 metres and take the signposted route left up the hill. Photograph taken by Jordie.

POINT 3

The initial path is purposefully inlaid large stone steps. Be careful and watch where you walk as some steps are at strange angles.

As you ascend up, the incline of the hill gets slightly steeper, so you may want to take your time and pace yourself.

the walk to Warnscale Bothy Lake District from National Trust honister car park — Point 3. The initial path is purposefully laid large stone steps. Photograph taken by Jordie.

POINT 4

The large stone steps fade away and reveals a dead straight uphill gravel path. The incline is moderate and gradual.

Just take your time and stop for short moments if needed.

Other great easy to moderate Lake District walks include:

Crummock Water to Scale Force waterfall walk

Loughrigg Fell to Rydal Caves circular walk

POINT 5

Woohoo! You’ve made it to the top of the hill! Take a few moments to catch your breath, have some water and take in the scenery around you.

POINT 6

From here, your legs will be glad to know its a relatively flat walk for 15 minutes before reaching your first bothy – Dubs Hut! The trail is obvious and made up of small gravel rocks.

walk-to-warnscale-bothy — Point 6. Flat walk leading you straight to Dubs Hut. Photograph taken by Jordie.

POINT 7

Your path will take you briefly through an impressive slate walkway. As you emerge through, you will see your first Lake District bothy, Dubs Hut, straight away on your right!

Spot and explore inside Dubs Hut bothy on route to Warnscale Bothy in the Lake District — Point 7. Impressive slate walkway just before you see Dubs Hut on the right.

Take some time to explore inside and the outside courtyard of Dubs Hut bothy.

POINT 8

Passing Dubs Hut, you will see a small stream at the bottom of the short hill. Make your way down the hill and cross the stream.

After crossing the stream, follow the thin gravel path around the right-hand side of the hill in front of you.

POINT 9

Keep walking around the foot of this hill. There is a small path at the start to follow, nearing the edge of a short hill slope, so just mind your footing!

You will begin to see a sneak peak of the valley opening which sits directly in front of Warnscale Bothy. When you see this, you know you are close!

POINT 10

The first thing you will notice is the amazing view of distant Lake Buttermere and Crummock Water as the valley view finally reveals itself!

Next, look for the incredibly huge and distinct pile of slate on the hillside. At the bottom of that, you will see the extremely camouflaged Warnscale Bothy! You made it!

Have an explore inside the small Bothy, check out the window view, relax and read through the guest book and take time or have a packed lunch at this beautiful spot. You’ve earned it.

When you’re ready, return back exactly the same way you came!

What an incredible view of Buttermere Lake from Warnscale Bothy in the lake district! — Point 10. WHAT A VIEW! The incredible valley view of Lake Buttermere and distant Crummock Water behind it. For context, Warnscale Bothy is directly behind you. Photograph taken by our trusty self-timer!

A photo of a very camouflaged Warnscale Bothy in the Lake District — Point 10. Outside Warnscale Bothy: A very camouflaged Warnscale Bothy surrounded by a pile of hillside slate! Photograph taken by Jordie.

BEST PARKING FOR WARNSCALE BOTHY

The best and closest place to park for the Warnscale Bothy walk is the National Trust Honister Pass car park, a large car park with great facilities located in a working slate mine.

As you enter, there is parking available on both sides, with a large shop, cafe and toilet facility block in the centre.

Ideally, look to park to the right-hand side of the facility block as this is where the trail to Warnscale Bothy begins.

HOW MUCH IS PARKING AT THE NATIONAL TRUST HONISTER PASS CAR PARK?

The parking fee is £5 for a full day, paid by cash or card at the cashier inside the rear shop. You will receive a red parking token.

WARNSCALE BOTHY WALK PACKING LIST

IN THE WARMER MONTHS

Loose comfortable clothing. T-shirts, thin activewear leggings / shorts.
Refillable water bottle!
Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip and ankle support.
High factor sun cream.
Additional sun protective clothing, including a sun cap and sunglasses.
A packed lunch to enjoy with a view when you reach Warnscale Bothy! Take all your rubbish back with you.

IN THE COLDER MONTHS

Lightweight day jacket, we love our Regatta jacket!
Lots of layers of loose clothing to take off / keep on dependant on how cold it is. We would recommend full-length leggings, t-shirts, fleece layer, thick socks, gloves, scarf, bobble hat, etc.
Refillable water bottle!
Comfortable hiking shoes with good grip and ankle support.
A spare pair of normal shoes to change into before you get back in the car! It is likely your boots will get a bit muddy here especially in the Winter months.

WHERE TO STAY IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

Much of the Lake District is unaccessible to be “cut across” by road due to the mountain ranges and fells. Therefore, there are only a few key roads you can use to get to specific places, and if you’re on the wrong side of a fell, can take ages to drive round it.

While there are multiple towns and villages in the Lake District, from our personal experience we soon realised that around the town of Keswick is the ideal area to stay.

Keswick’s convenient location allows access to all of the key roads you’ll need to carry out your Lake District itinerary.

See our top accommodation picks near Keswick below:

Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa (2 people, premium)

The Mary Mount Hotel (2 people, premium)

Lyzzick Hall Hotel (2 people, mid-range)

Tarn Rigg Cottage (holiday home, 4 people)

ABOUT WARNSCALE BOTHY:
“KNOW BEFORE YOU GO” FAQ’S!

WHAT IS A BOTHY?

For those unfamiliar with the term, a Bothy (pronounced “Boffy“) is an open and very basic shelter that visitors can use for free. They are usually in remote locations where travellers may need to stop and rest.

Aesthetically, they basically look like derelict houses. They considerably range in size, and usually have no main facilities (i.e. toilet, running water, sink, lights or bed).

However, it is common for a Bothy to have just a sleeping platform to put your sleeping bag on and a wood-fire stove to burn logs and keep warm! You may also find items kindly left by previous visitors (i.e. long-life foods, cooking utensils etc).

Inside warnscale bothy in the lake district - the room with a view! — Pictured inside Warnscale Bothy: A fireplace with kindly left goods from previous visitors and a cute visitor book to sign!

HOW MANY BOTHIES ARE IN THE LAKE DISTRICT?

There are five bothies in the Lake District: Warnscale Bothy, Dubs Hut, Black Sail, Lingy Hut and Mosedale Cottage. On the walk to Warnscale Bothy route listed above, you will see two of them – Dubs Hut and, of course, Warnscale Bothy!

WHAT IS WARNSCALE BOTHY?

Warnscale Bothy is a tiny mountain Bothy in the Lake District. It is made almost completely from slate, causing it to blend in incredibly with its rocky surroundings. Originally, it is said to have been a quarry workers cottage way back in the 18th century!

Through hard work of volunteers, this long-time derelict hut was completely restored back to a safe and suitable standard for all visitors to now enjoy.

WHAT MAKES WARNSCALE BOTHY SPECIAL? WHY SHOULD YOU VISIT WARNSCALE BOTHY?

You may be thinking, why should I even visit Warnscale Bothy? What is so special about it? Firstly, Warnscale Bothy is famously described as “A room with a view” for good reason.

This Lake District bothy has just one window which frames the most ‘picture perfect’ valley view of Buttermere Lake and Crummock Water. This view will take your breath away and is worth every step to see!

The epic window view from inside Warnscale Bothy you will see after completing your walk to Warnscale Bothy. This is one of the top walks to add to your Lake District itinerary! — The reason why Warnscale Bothy is called “A room with a view”. The most picturesque Lake District bothy!

CAN YOU SLEEP IN WARNSCALE BOTHY?

Yes! Warnscale Bothy is always left completely unlocked and is a great free spot for anyone who may wish to stay overnight there.

Being the smallest Lake District bothy, inside is pretty small and would probably fit 2 people on the sleeping platforms, and maybe 3 people on the floor at a push.

HOW DO I GET TO WARNSCALE BOTHY?

Warnscale Bothy is located deep on a steep hillside with (obviously) no vehicular access. The only way to reach it is by one of many walking trails.

See above our step-by-step guide detailing one of the easiest routes to Warnscale Bothy, starting from Honister car park.

A photo of Jordie, the author of this specific blog post and owner of the wesbite.

This blog post was written by Jordie Flain!

Founder of TheFlainsTravel.com

A travel-obsessed Sagittarius creating honest, easy-to-follow guides. Powered by tea, chocolate and a slightly concerning amount of tomato ketchup.

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