Buttermere along the ridge up Rannerdale Knotts: route map, distance and time
355 m · Lake District C&W · OS grid NY167182
Rannerdale Knotts is a small rocky ridge above Crummock Water, a short steep climb with a big view of the Buttermere valley and its fells.
Walk north from the village and gain the ridge from its southern end, then follow the knobbly crest to the summit.
Buttermere along the ridge at a glance
| Distance | 2.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 252 m |
| Time up | 0h 55m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 1h 30m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Buttermere village |
| Start grid reference | NY 175 169 |
| Summit grid reference | NY167182 |
Buttermere along the ridge map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Buttermere Court Hotel0.1 km
- Syke Farm Tea Room0.0 km
- Croft House Farm Café0.1 km
- Public toilets0.2 km
- Syke Farm Campsite0.3 km
- Dalegarth Guest House Camp Site1.4 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long the Buttermere along the ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 45m | 1h 10m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 55m | 1h 30m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 10m | 1h 50m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 15:38 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 15:36 to be down before dark, allowing 1h 30m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Rannerdale Knotts summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Mainly clear, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -3°C, summit wind 7 mph gusting 19 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08.
-
Good Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Overcast, up to 12°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 2°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 31 mph, 29% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for the Buttermere along the ridge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 19 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Rannerdale Knotts forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -3°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Rannerdale Knotts
Rannerdale Knotts is a small rocky ridge above Crummock Water, a short steep climb with a big view of the Buttermere valley and its fells. More about Rannerdale Knotts, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Whiteless Pike (660 m), 1.5 km north-east
- Mellbreak (511 m), 1.9 km west
- Grasmoor (852 m), 2.2 km north
- Dodd (641 m), 2.5 km south
- Wandope (774 m), 2.6 km north-east
- Red Pike (755 m), 2.9 km south
Challenges that include Rannerdale Knotts
More walks from Buttermere village
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Buttermere via Whiteless Pike up Crag Hill
- Buttermere via Scarth Gap up Fleetwith Pike
- Buttermere via Whiteless Pike up Grasmoor
- Buttermere via Red Pike and the Ennerdale ridge up Great Borne
- Buttermere via Dodd and Red Pike ridge up High Crag
- Buttermere via Scarth Gap up High Crag
- Buttermere via Dodd and Red Pike ridge up High Stile
- Buttermere via Scarth Gap up High Stile
- Buttermere via Bleaberry Tarn up Red Pike
- High Stile ridge up Red Pike
- Buttermere via Red Pike up Starling Dodd
- Buttermere via Whiteless Pike up Wandope
Other routes up Rannerdale Knotts
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinderdale Common up the north-west ridge | 1.8 km one way | 230 m | 0h 45m | Moderate |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 175 169, the summit at NY167182), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Buttermere along the ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Buttermere along the ridge?
The Buttermere along the ridge is 2.6 km one way to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts, with 252 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 5.2 km.
How long does the Buttermere along the ridge take?
About 0h 55m to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts and 1h 30m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 1h 50m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Buttermere along the ridge?
The Buttermere along the ridge starts from Buttermere village. The grid reference is NY 175 169.
Is the Buttermere along the ridge suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start the Buttermere along the ridge today?
By 15:38 at the latest. Sunset on Rannerdale Knotts today is 18:08, The Buttermere along the ridge takes about 1h 30m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Buttermere along the ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).