Lakeland Fellranger: North-Western Fells - Walks in the Lakes

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Reviews

View Sample Route Map

1 Ard Crags (581m/1905ft)

Travellers wending up the Newlands valley will come upon the impressive little ridge crowned by Ard Crags as they take the sharp bend on Rigg Beck, spying the sudden upthrusting ridge of Aiken Knott and wondering what mighty height they behold. With Knott Rigg it forms a simple sickle-shaped ridge of comparatively modest height well befitting the attention of anyone new to fellwalking. A ‘there-and-back’ outing from Newlands Hause, keeping to the ridge as far as Aiken Knott, will give you a real sense of the magic of fell country, with no route doubts. The fell-name is unusual, but does not ally with the Scottish for ‘headland’, however attractive a notion; possibly this was originally Hard Crags.

ASCENT from Rigg Beck (24)

Via Rigg Beck  410m/1345ft, 2.8km/1¾ miles

The starting point is close to the former site of the Purple House – now the very modern and ingenious New Riggbeck, cleverly concealed in the trees. 1 The more circumspect line. This route takes advantage of a peaceful pedestrian connection with Buttermere leading naturally up the Rigg Beck valley. The path seems to have coped well with the wear and tear of time. The old oak copse set high on the heather slopes of Causey Pike is a fascinating survival, replicated by a similar wood above Ill Gill on the opposite side of Ard Crags. Reaching the natural level pass, curve left off the regular path and find a tangible, if sketchy, path slanting half-left up the grassy slope direct to the summit.

Via Aiken Knott  410m/1345ft, 2.4km/1½ miles

2 The head-on climb. Leave the road from the old quarry at the hairpin bend following the regular path up the valley of Rigg Beck. Where the wall enclosure ends bear off left, ford the beck and take the long diagonal line to the gently rising ridge. There is a well-evidenced path through the bracken. The path comes onto the pasture ridge and moves positively onto the real meat and matter of the ascent, and a stiffer, narrower ridge begins winding through the heather onto Aiken Knott. The climb provides handsome views north to Causey Pike and the ancient oakwood clinging to the steep slopes high above Rigg Beck. Mounting through the heather, the full delight of the climb comes to fruition as the path runs along the comparatively narrow ridge top to the summit cairn.

THE SUMMIT

A simple cairn on a continuing ridge immediately east of an obvious notch. The notch gives a lovely bird’s-eye view down on Keskadale Farm. The heather spilling off at either hand down the abrupt slopes is a pleasing attribute, as too is the grand panorama – for so modest a fell it provides a real sense of scale. The near bulk of Causey Pike, Scar Crags and Sail contrast with the balanced perspective on Robinson due south.

SAFE DESCENTS

The two ascents are reliable in descent, although the continuing ridge to the north-east via Aiken Knott is steep and uncomfortable should a biting easterly wind prevail.

RIDGE ROUTE

KNOTT RIGG  D 60m/200ft  A 50m/165ft  1.6km/1 mile

Anyone new to ridge walking will find this the perfect introduction. For one thing all neighbouring fells are higher, so you are treated to a grandstand view, and it is grassy all the way, with no deviations to tempt you off course in mist.