Rannerdale Knotts [and the Bluebells]

Rannerdale Knotts might be one of the smaller Wainwrights but is definitely worth a visit, especially when the famous Rannerdale bluebells are in full bloom. This walk explores the bluebell valley and climbs to the summit to enjoy the views.

A view of Rannerdale Knotts — Rannerdale Knotts and Crummock Water

Rannerdale Knotts is a small but prominent fell at 355m above sea level in the North-Western Fells which stands above the eastern shore of Crummock Water and has spectacular views down over Buttermere.

Rannerdale Bluebells

Rannerdale Knotts is said to be the site of a battle between the native Cumbrians and Norsemen who were resisting the invading Normans in the late 11th or early 12th Century. According to local legend, the bluebells are said to have sprung from the spilt blood of the slain Norman warriors. Whether this is true or not, the display of bluebells is spectacular when they’re in full bloom (late April to early May). These beautiful wild flowers are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 meaning picking the flowers or digging up the plant or bulb is prohibited. Bluebell colonies take years to establish (around 5-7 years to get from seed to a flower) and they take years to recover after being trampled. The bluebells at Rannerdale are cordoned off to protect them.

A white enamel sign with black text saying "The bluebells are a historic feature of Rannadale. Please leave for others to enjoy. Avoid trampling or picking the blooms"

Our walk started from a small car park just off the B5289, leading into Buttermere and beyond to the Honister Pass. There are three small car parks at the base of Rannerdale Knotts but these fill up really quickly so get there early. We went on a Wednesday morning during term time and even arriving at 9am the car parks were pretty full. There is further parking in Buttermere village. We followed the stream up the hillside to join a track running south-east, then went through the gate into the area containing the bluebells.

A white wooden sign with hand written text "Tek Care, Lambs Ont Road"

A view of Rannerdale Knotts

The path winds through the bluebells, and gives stunning views over to Rannerdale Knotts itself.

A view of Rannerdale Knotts

We came to a wooden bridge over the stream where there is a gate – we didn’t go through the gate but carried on the path beside Squat Beck, passing around Dale How and leading to another small car park. We turned left out of the car park to reach the public footpath leading up from Hause Point. This starts out as stone steps and switchbacks its way up the steep hillside. It’s easy to follow.

A path through the bluebells

Rannerdale bluebells — Looking back along the streamside path through the bluebells

A steep path up the mountain flanked by yellow gorse either side

The path up to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts — The path up to the summit – it’s rough and rocky in places

Near the summit the path passes through a gap in the rocks and then turns left – it looks like it’s dropping off the edge of the fell but winds back on itself to reach the summit, marked by a small cairn. The views from here over Crummock Water and Buttermere are stunning, with Great Gable just visible.

A gap in the rocks leading to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts — Go through the gap and turn left!

Views from the summit of Rannerdale Knotts

We carried on over the summit, down the small scramble section onto Low Banks, a grass topped wide ridge which runs back down towards the valley. After about 0.6 miles (995m) the path splits and we took the left hand fork heading down the valley, following Squat Beck.

A woman with blondie hair, wearing black, walking along a grassy ridge

Views from a fell path — The split in the path – we took the left hand fork

A view down a Lakeland valley — Squat Beck

A wooden bridge in the foreground with a pointy mountain shaped mountain in the background — Wooden bridge over Squat Beck

The path reaches the gate we didn’t go through before, but this time we passed through the gate and back over the footbridge and retraced our steps back to the car park.

This was a beautiful walk on a sunny day, and if you didn’t want to climb up Rannerdale Knotts you could just wander around through the bluebells.

Rannerdale Knotts Walk Details: