Get Lost Mountaineering

Rannerdale Knotts

Start/Finish

Parking, especially free parking, is hard to find around here. The nearest car park, holds about 8 cars, is below Rannerdale Knotts on the road by Crummock water at about NY 163 183. There is some on road parking but park very sensibly. In dry weather, Rannerdale Farm often opens a field for parking which was £4 in 2024 and they also have a snacks/refreshments kiosk and outdoor seating area.

Distance/Time

4 km   About 2 hours

Peaks

Rannerdale Knotts, 355 m, NY 167 182.  OL4 North Western Lakes

Introduction

This is one of the most scenic short walks in the area with excellent views over Buttermere and Crummock Water as wellas to Fells such as Melbreak, Fleetwith Pike, Haystacks, the Red Pike and High Stile Range, Starling Dodd and Great Borne, Grasmoor and Whiteless Pike to name just a few.

Route

(1) Find your way to the car park indictaed above then continue along the road towards Buttermere to soon reach an obvious path slanting left and uphill. If walking from Buttermere, the path will be a reverse fork before you reach the car park. Follow the path uphill, taking the left options every time it splits. There is a steep stepped section and, overall, it may feel quite strenuous for some. The path leads to the summit where there is a small cairn but a tiny cairn on an adjacent rock might be higher if one assumes the highest point has to be on solid ground. This is Rannerdale Knotts, 355 m.

(2) Continue along the good path which is often just below the crest on its south side. There is a slightly awkward section where one needs care stepping down a rocky groove. Continue along the mainly grassy ridge until the path splits, Take the left fork and follow it down to the path in the valley heading back towards Crummock Water. Lower down, a gate goes through a wall but do not cross the bridge. Instead follow the path back to the road with the stream on your right to begin with.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 28^th July, 2024.