Whiteless Pike

Wainwright called Whiteless Pike the Weisshorn of Buttermere, and from Rannerdale you can see why, as it rises in a neat pyramid above the valley. It is the last real summit on the ridge that runs south-west from Crag Hill over Wandope towards Buttermere village.

Buttermere is the obvious start. A good path climbs from the village to Whiteless Breast, a broad shoulder at about 440m, then up the ridge to the top. The other way in is from Crummock Water. Go into Rannerdale and follow Squat Beck up to the bend in the ridge between Rannerdale Knotts and Whiteless Pike. Walk Lakes' round from the small car park below Rannerdale Knotts climbs Grasmoor by Lad Hows and comes back over Crag Hill, Wandope and Whiteless Pike and down into Rannerdale, 12.2km with 966m of ascent. In late spring Rannerdale is famous for its bluebells, so keep to the paths.

Both sides of the ridge are steep all the way. Above the summit, Whiteless Edge climbs from the col at Saddle Gate to Wandope. It is narrow and airy, but the path is obvious and there is no scrambling.

The top is small, with a cairn among loose stones, and it feels a little tame after the ridge below. The steep slopes give the view depth. The Scafells look fine, the Helvellyn range and the Western Fells are well seen, and Buttermere, Crummock Water and Loweswater all lie below. Grasmoor, close at hand, is the dull part.

From the summit the ridge turns south to Whiteless Breast, then twists sharply north-west to continue as Rannerdale Knotts, which makes a neat circuit of the Rannerdale valley.