Route: Rannerdale Knotts
Area: Western Lake District
Date of walk: 29th June 2019
Walkers: Andrew, Gilly, David and Becca
Distance: 3.0 miles
Ascent: 1,100 feet
Weather: Cloudy with a few few sunny patches – very warm, humid and hazy
Rannerdale Knotts is one of the smallest lakeland fells, standing at the modest height of 1,160 feet. We’d planned a more ambitious walk today, but thunderstorms were predicted, so it seemed more sensible to climb one of the lower fells.
What Rannerdale Knotts 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. The hazy conditions and flat white sky made for poor light for photography, and the photos which follow don’t show the surroundings at their best I’m afraid
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Looking back along Crummock Water and the Buttermere road at the start of the climb
High Ling Crag on the far side of Crummock Water
Herdie
Haystacks
Looking back down the path as we gain height...
Rannerdale Farm below
Great Borne in the distance
Looking across to Grasmoor and Whiteless Pike
The High Stile Range from Rannerdale Knotts
Becca and David on the summit of Rannerdale Knotts
Looking down to the head of Crummock Water
We set off along the knobbly summit ridge
Buttermere
We follow the path along Low Bank
Crummock Water - our return will be along the path at the bottom of the picture
Buttermere, and Haystacks at its head
Further along Low Bank
Buttermere village
We turn right at the fork in the path ahead
Buttermere and Haystacks again
Start of the descent, which is initially in the direction of Buttermere
We turn right just before the line of trees on the right, known as Grassgarth Coppice
We follow a narrow path through the ferns
High Stile and Red Pike
Wood House, set in a wonderful position at the head of Crummock Water
Crummock Water islands
We drop down to join the wider path below
Looking back towards Fleetwith Pike
Becca and David rejoin our original ascent path
We retrace our steps back to the start
From the car park, a view along the path leading into Rannerdale
