Rannerdale Knotts

Rannerdale Knotts

Route: Rannerdale Knotts

Area: Western Lake District 

Date of walk: 12th November 2022

Walkers: Andrew and Gilly

Distance: 3.0 miles

Ascent: 1,100 feet

Weather: Some distant sunny patches, but mostly heavy cloud

Rannerdale Knotts is one of the smallest lakeland fells, standing at the modest height of 1,160 feet. What Rannerdale Knotts lacks in height it more than makes up for in its rugged mountainous character and the beauty of its surroundings

We made an early start and parked in the small National Trust car park at Hause Point. From here the ascent starts almost immediately. Within a few minutes there were lovely views over Crummock Water and Buttermere. It’s a steep climb but made much easier in recent years thanks to the addition of a rock staircase. We were soon on the north top enjoying good views over Crummock Water 

We set off along the knobbly summit ridge, clambering down a slightly awkward gully at one point, before reaching an easier grassy section known as Low Bank. At the end of the ridge there’s a choice of return routes – either back along Rannerdale or along the Crummock Water side. We opted for the latter today, as the valley route has restricted views. Such a choice would be unthinkable in May, when the famous Rannerdale bluebells are in flower. The sight – and scent – of huge swathes of these flowers growing on open fellside is unmissable

We descended towards Buttermere down the easy grassy slopes and then joined a narrow path which runs at mid-level above Great Wood, giving good views over Crummock Water along the way. The path is quite faint and little used, and it can be hard to locate when the bracken is high. The key to navigation is to keep Grassgarth Coppice, Great Wood and the post and wire fence close by on your left. Beyond the wood we continued to traverse the fellside, and near Hause Point we met up with our original ascent path. From here we retraced our steps back to the start

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

Previous walk: « | Next walk: »