Starting point: NT car park, Buttermere  (NY 172173)  Distance: 2.5 miles  Ascent: 866'

An easy walk in good conditions, but we needed two attempts as we were driven back by high winds on our first visit at Easter.  Later in May, Beattie and I returned to visit the wonderful display of bluebells in Rannerdale valley, before returning the next day to climb to the top of this modest fell.

Route: From the NT car park, cross the road, over a stile and walk uphill to the start of the ridge of Low Bank turning WNW to traverse the undulating ridge to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts.  Return by the same route.

Rannerdale Knotts - Defeated!
The first visit at Easter on a breezy day (at valley level).  However, we did not realise just how powerful the winds were on the ridge of Low Bank.                 We were forced to retreat in worsening conditions.

Rannerdale Knotts from Rannerdale valley

The breeze is blowing across Crummock Water but we did not realise conditions would be so poor on top!

It's not raining at the moment, but bad weather is on its way!  Buttermere from the initial ascent.

The ridge of Low Bank.  It's blowing a gale up there but you would never guess from below!

Threatening weather over Haystacks ...

The rain is just about to hit us!  We continued up on to the ridge, but were very surprised by the strength of the wind.  A lost her hat into Rannerdale valley after on very strong gust, which forced us to sit down!  We decided to retreat ...

Rannerdale valley - Bluebells

In May, Beattie and I returned to explore Rannerdale valley and see for ourselves the fantastic display of bluebells.

It's a different day - sunny and warm heading into the valley of Rannerdale Beck

First look at the bluebells

A close-up view

Whiteless Pike - 'The Weisshorn of Buttermere'

Another view

Rannerdale Beck
In 1930, a local historian, Nicholas Size, wrote a romanticised tale of the Battle of Rannerdale: a skirmish between the invading Normans and the locals in the years after the Invasion of 1066.  The book was called The Secret Valley.  In the story, a Norman army under the command of Ranulf Meschin, Earl of Carlisle, advanced south from Cockermouth.  The local warriors were commanded by the Earl Boethar, who succeeded in drawing the Normans into the side valley of Rannerdale, then routed them with a surprise attack from above and behind.  Whether the battle actually took place is a matter for conjecture. 

According to local tradition, the bluebells are said to have sprung from the spilt blood of the slain Norman soldiers.

Alfred Wainwright knew of the story and wrote about it in his chapter on Rannerdale Knotts: 'This is Rannerdale Knotts, a mountain in miniature and a proud one.  Not even Gable has witnessed a real battle!  And, what's more, our side won!!' Rannerdale Knotts p. 1

Everything is peaceful today

Today, the only invaders are walkers ...

... and artists!

Rannerdale is an inspiring place for creativity!

Rannerdale Knotts - the ascent!

The following day, Beattie and I returned to complete our mission!

Trees in Grassgarth Coppice

An array of green!

Sunlight on the summit of Grasmoor

Beattie has a rest after trying to catch a mouse that appeared on the path.  It was too quick for both of us!

The path up to the summit

It's still breezy on top.
Made it, at last!

On the descent - ahead is Robinson

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Comment from Gary
Hi Derek - Rannderdale Knotts is a great little fell, I just love the views over Buttermere to Haystacks! Great photo's from your three visits this year, any more planned for later in the year???  Probably not to Rannerdale Knotts, as we have other fells to conquer! derek
It just goes to show how quickly the conditions can change as you start to gain height. We've found the same many times, I think the last time was when we did Raise from Glenridding last year. It was great in the car park, but a full blown blizzard when we reached the tops!
Gary ....

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Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2009 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved