Route: Rannerdale Knotts
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 3rd March 2019
Walkers: Andrew, Rob and Sarah
Distance: 3.0 miles
Ascent: 1,100 feet
Weather: Cloudy, hazy and very windy on the top
Rannerdale Knotts is one of the smallest lakeland fells, standing at the modest height of 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 fell we’ve climbed numerous times and we could never tire of it
We parked in the National Trust car park at Hause Point and from here the ascent starts almost immediately. Within a few minutes there were lovely views over Crummock Water and Buttermere. After a steep section up a rocky staircase we were soon on the north top enjoying more good views
We carried on along the knobbly summit ridge 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 retrospective views back to Haystacks and Fleetwith Pike are particularly good. Near Hause Point we met up with our original ascent path and from here retraced our steps back to the start of a wonderful short walk
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