Rannerdale Knotts (up & return)

Sunday morning May 2nd 2021 Rannerdale Knotts was our destination and we had decided to walk up the valley past the bluebells and along the ridge to its summit and then return the same way rather than attempt the steeper descent from the summit. That enabled us to admire and enjoy the beauty of the bluebells twice. The weather was sunny with lots of clouds and the threat of the odd shower that never materialized. The wind was slightly breezy which had the bubble coats on and off a couple of times. We parked in a car park on the B2589 (CA13 9UY) thats suitable for about a dozen or so cars a few hundred yards away from the bluebells part of the walk. There are a couple of other carparks nearby too with similar capacity and once full, visitors started to park on the roadside so drive with caution when nearing the area.

Anyway, we walked out through the rear of the car park and immediately picked up the path heading towards Rannerdale Knotts. The path is a nice easy stroll whilst admiring your views all around. You will eventually round a bend and the bluebells section comes into view. There is a simple rope barrier keeping you on the path as walking amongst the bluebells will only damage them and spoil the spectacle for other visitors so please be mindful of the damage you could cause trying to get that better photo shot stood amongst the flowers rather than keeping to the marked paths. As it was early May they weren't in full bloom but that didn't deter from the fact that its was still a wonderful sight to witness. Just one of the Lake Districts numerous natural wonders. Once we'd had our fill of bluebells, we trotted onwards and came across a small wooden bridge that needs to be crossed to access the path up the valley.

The path is a well maintained grassy, gravel and stone path that gently winds its way up to the head of the valley with no steep or difficult sections to talk of.

The small beck that keeps you company for most of the way up needs to be crossed a couple of times.

You eventually come to a fork in the path. Either path can be taken. The one to the right is essentially a shortcut that misses out the head of the valley proper. Going straight on is only an couple of hundred metres extra in distance and a shallower gradient. Its also the direction to go for other hills and routes.

We took the shortcut on the way up and it involves bending the legs a little more than the other route but its only short and withing seconds you're on the path along the ridge. Ridge path showing the first of 3 lumps to be walked up to get to the summit.

The second lump that has a small section at the top to negotiate thats not a really a climb and its not really a scramble so its more of a clamble(if thats a word) It looks bigger and more difficult from further away actually. If the 5 year old in front of us managed it, I'm sure the rest of us can.

The 3rd lump is our destination for today and isn't too far away now.

Once the summit cairn has been visitied there are plenty of areas to sit and have a break and admire the amazing views all around. This is where we decided to have a nibble and a slurp and rest our groany old bones.

There is a 4th lonely old lump that nobody seemed to ascend whilst we were up there. We didn't either so maybe its one for another day.

As I mentioned earlier, we decided on a return route rather that attempt what we assumed might be quite a steep descent for us.

We retraced our steps and instead of using the shortcut we opted to follow the path to the head of the valley and then down and back to the bluebells. The head of the valley shows several paths but ours was the faint one immediately to the left. The one straight ahead is up to Whiteless Pike.

Down the valley

The path on the left here is the shortcut we took on our way up.

The descent down the valley. Mrs Twinkletoes taking her time as usual.

A couple of pics of the bluebells, although not in full bloom yet but still amazing to admire and enjoy.

The path back to the car park and another hill bagged.

We thoroughly enjoyed this small Wainwright and the bluebells. It would have been nice to see them in full bloom but even from what we saw you could easily imagine the full effect when they are. Definitely a place to visit to see the bluebells and throw in the walk up to Rannerdale Knotts for good measure for an nice morning or afternoon walk. Our distance covered today was just over 4.5 miles. Best Regards Mandy & Stu

CarlandHay and Jimearl6 like this post