Rannerdale Knotts walk - Rannerdale bluebells

Route: Rannerdale Knotts

Area: North Western Lake District

Date of walk: 18th May 2016

Walkers: Andrew and Gilly

Distance: 3.0 miles

Ascent: 1,000 feet

Weather: sun and cloud, warm

Rannerdale Knotts is relatively short in stature at 1,160 feet, but what it lacks in height it more than makes up for in its rugged mountainous character and the beauty of its surroundings

This is a walk we’ve done numerous times and we could never tire of it. The climb up the fell and return via the valley takes less than a couple of hours, and was an ideal choice for us as we had limited time available

Rannerdale is also famed for its amazing display of bluebells in May, unusual as they grow on open fellside instead of their usual woodland habitat, so this provided another good reason for choosing this place for today’s walk

We parked in the National Trust car park at Hause Point from where the climb starts almost immediately. Within a few minutes there were lovely views over Crummock Water and Buttermere. There was good visibility and we could see the Solway Firth and the hills of Scotland beyond. After a steep section up a rocky staircase we were soon on the north top and from here we made our way across the knobbly summit ridge known as Low Bank

We then descended into Rannerdale valley where the bluebells were looking spectacular. A short walk but a classic one and highly recommended – with or without bluebells

IMPORTANT NOTE: I’ve been asked by the National Trust (North Lakes) to add this message to my post, and I do so willingly in order to try and help safeguard this wonderful display:

“Rannerdale’s bluebells are renowned as a natural wonder, beloved of visitors and photographers; however, they are being ‘loved to death’. Once the plants are damaged by trampling they can’t photosynthesise enough energy and it can take them years to recover. Over the last 5 years, nearly 25% of the bluebells have been lost. To save the bluebells, and access to them, the National Trust are asking visitors to fight the urge to get in amongst the flowers and just simply stick to the path. Only by protecting them today can we ensure everyone has a chance to enjoy this special spring display in the future.”

Could I please urge anyone following this walk to comply with the message

For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box

Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)

Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow

Next day, while heading back from east to west, we stopped off at Rutter Falls near Appleby

After arriving in the Lake District, the start of the walk as we leave the National Trust car park near Hause Point and start the climb up Rannerdale Knotts