Rannerdale Knotts Walk
Visit Rannerdale Knotts and Whiteless Pike on this circular walk in the beautiful Rannerdale valley. It's a small fell but its proximity to Buttermere and Crummock Water make it an attractive option for walkers. There's also good footpaths, fine views and a section through the lovely bluebell valley.
You can start the walk from the small car park off the B5289, next to Crummock Water. Then head north through the bluebell valley. The area is managed by the National Trust and is a stunning sight in the spring months, when carpets of bluebells cover the hills. You then head east through High Rannerdale, passing along Squat Beck. Near Whiteless Breast you turn west and ascend to the 355 m (1,165 ft) summit of Rannerdale Knotts. It's a wonderful spot with views back down to Crummock Water and Buttermere Lake.
To extend your walking in the area you could try the Crummock Water and Buttermere walks. Both lakes have lovely waterside paths to try.
For a more challenging climb you could try the Grasmoor walk which starts from the nearby Rannerdale Bridge.
Rannerdale Knotts Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Rannerdale Knotts Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Rannerdale Knotts OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Rannerdale Knotts Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
The Fish Inn in Butteremere village is a lovely place to go for some post walk refreshment. The inn has an interesting history being one of the oldest inns in the Lake District. They do good food and there's a comfy lounge with sofas and a fireplace to relax in indoors. There's also seating outside with fabulous views of the surrounding fells. You can easily find it in the village at postcode CA13 9XA.
The Bridge Inn is also located right in the village. There's another fine garden area with one of the best views in England here.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
For more walking ideas in the area see the Lake District Walks page.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
The view from Rannerdale Knotts. Visible in the photo are Whiteless Pike, Wandope and the flanks of Grasmoor clustered around the cleft of Rannerdale Beck.
Rannerdale Knotts. Viewed from the northern end of Mellbreak during a day long temperature inversion. To the right of and in front of the Knotts Crummock Water would normally be visible.
This is the view from the top of Rannerdale Knots, down over Crummock Water. Further over you can see the lake of Loweswater, and in the far distance you can just make out the sea and the hills of Scotland to the North. And did you know, "there is only one lake in the Lake District? Bassenthwaite Lake. All the others are Meres, Tarns and Waters ..."
From the Knotts. Looking up Crummock Water. Beyond Loweswater over the Solway, Dumfries is in view.
Path on up on the Knotts. The steepest section of the path up Rannerdale Knotts has recently been improved by stepping it. I have mixed feelings about these paths but here it is a great improvement. The previous path was a thin but eroded and slippery ugly scar at the base of the crag. Much safer for the grannies and toddlers (and me) who climb Rannerdale Knotts.
Low Bank and Rannerdale Knotts. Low Bank is a ridge culminating in the Knotts at the western end, the ridge separates Rannerdale from the eastern end of Crummock Water.
Rannerdale Beck From Low Bank on Rannerdale Knotts. The beck is a great route up onto Wandope Moss if you want to get away from the crowds. A green helicopter is flying down Rannerdale
Rannerdale Knott from Cinderdale Common