Route: Circuit of Rannerdale Knotts
Area: North Western Lake District
Date of walk: 18th August 2015
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 4.5 miles
Weather: Bright at start but clouded over, spots of rain at end
When I looked through the curtains at dawn this morning there was a low mist in Lorton Vale and so without ado I drove to the shore of Crummock Water in the hope of grabbing some atmospheric photos – a few of these are shown below
About 8 hours later I returned to the same place for the start of today’s short walk. I headed up Rannerdale and just beyond the foot of Rannerdale Knotts I crossed the footbridge over Squat Beck to continue up High Rannerdale to the end of the valley
As I gained height it gradually clouded over and the light became quite poor. At the top of the valley I turned right to descend down towards Buttermere village. When I reached the edge of the village I followed the road for a short distance before taking a path along the fellside signposted ‘Buttermere Hause’
This brought me round to the foot of Rannerdale Knotts, and I the followed the path below the rocks to complete the circuit of the fell. It just remained to cross Squat Beck again and retrace my steps back to the start
Rannerdale is famous for its bluebells which flower on the open fellside in May – if visiting in bluebell season, please read this note:
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
A dawn prelude to today’s walk - Crummock Water from Hause Point
Haystacks
Woodhouse Islands - the two small rocks to the left of the larger one qualify as islands according to the OS
Head of Crummock Water
Woodhouse Islands again, with Holme Islands on the far side of the lake
Heather on the fellsides across the lake
Back home and time for breakfast - for both of us
A few hours later - the start of the walk as I head towards Rannerdale Knotts. The earlier dawn photos were taken from near this spot
Looking across Crummock Water to Mellbreak
Closer to Rannerdale Knotts - the route up the fell lies to the right, but I’m not going up there today
Looking back to Mellbreak left and Low Fell beyond
Looking up the path to High Rannerdale
It’s worth visiting in late May to see this wonderful spectacle
Herdies
Crossing Squat Beck
Looking back along Rannerdale
I follow the path which rises gently to the head of the valley
Great Gable in the clouds - this is the highest point of the walk
Start of the descent towards Buttermere
Buttermere below
Head of Crummock Water
Haystacks
On the edge of Buttermere village, Cragg House Farm
A short road section, part of which can be avoided by following the track on the right
As I start the climb up to Buttermere Hause, I look down on the islands which I’d photographed at dawn
Walking round the hause
High Ling Crag at the foot of Mellbreak
Crummock Water
Walking below the crags of Rannerdale Knotts
Squat Beck
I cross over the bridge again to complete the circuit…
…and then retrace my steps back to the start
