Route: Rannerdale
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 7th May 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 2.5 miles
Ascent: 250 feet
Weather: Cloudy with a few bright spells
Mid-May is the perfect time to enjoy the annual spectacle of the Rannerdale bluebells. They are very unusual in that they grow on open fellside instead of their usual woodland habitat, and they tend to flower a little later than their woodland cousins
This is a very popular place in season and the usual parking spaces at Cinderdale Common were full, so we parked a little further away in a layby near Crummock Water. We followed a path with the Buttermere road on our right and the lower slopes of Grasmoor on our right. Before long we entered into the bluebell area and were greeted by the wonderful sight – and scent – of huge swathes of these lovely flowers
After admiring the display for a while we continued up the valley for a short distance and then crossed the footbridge over Squat Beck. We followed a path below the crags of Rannerdale Knotts, enjoying more displays of bluebells, which were peaking.
We arrived at the Buttermere road and followed it for a while before rejoining our original path and taking a slighly more elevated route back to the start
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 ask anyone following this walk to comply with the message. Please also note that dogs must be kept on a lead
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
Earlier in the week, a red squirrel in the garden...
The day before the walk, a pied flycatcher checking out one of our new nestboxes. These birds are Red Listed due to recent declines in breeding populations and range
Next day, and the start of the walk from a small layby near Crummock Water
We follow a path above the Buttermere road, with the High Stile Range on our right
Even though it's a small fell, the north face of Rannerdale Knotts is quite imposing
Looking back
We ford Cinderdale Beck
Looking back to Mellbreak and Low Fell
Rannerdale Knotts ahead...
Mellbreak on the far side of Crummock Water
We pass through this gate to enter into the bluebell area
Herdwick sheep grazing among the bluebells (which are toxic to them so won't be eaten)
Looking across to Crummock Water
The distinctive outline of Whiteless Pike
For several years now, the path has been roped off to prevent trampling, which ruins the display as the bulbs can't photosynthesise enough energy to recover
Looking across to Crummock Water...
Looking back towards Mellbreak
We approach the far point of the walk, and the return will take us back below the rocks at the foot of Rannerdale Knotts
We cross the bridge over Squat Beck and turn right
Crags at the foot of Rannerdale Knotts
Looking back across Squat Beck
Heading towards Crummock Water
A sea of blue below Grasmoor
We follow the roped path towards Crummock Water
Looking back
Approaching the Buttermere road
A last look back to the bluebell area
We arrive at the Buttermere road and turn left. For anyone looking to extend the walk, the ascent of Rannerdale Knotts starts at the rocky footpath on the left
We follow the road past Rannerdale Farm
Looking across to Crummock Water
We take a slightly more elevated path back to the start, turning left below the crags
We make our way back down to the Buttermere road, and the end of a wonderful short walk
