A Circuit of Crummock Water, Rannerdale Bluebells and a walk up Rannerdale Knotts • Walking the Cumbrian Mountains

Name of walk	A Circuit of Crummock Water, Rannerdale Bluebells and a walk up Rannerdale Knotts
Date of walk	2012-05-05
Distance walked (miles)	12
Duration of walk	5 hours 0 minutes
Weather	Sunshine
Peaks on walk	Rannerdale Knotts (optional)
Walked with	Brendan
Parking	Road down to Buttermere Church

Yesterday Brendan and I drove to Buttermere, parking on the road down to the church. We were planning to do a circuit of Crummock Water, detouring to Scale Force Waterfall, The Kirkstile Inn, through the Rannerdale bluebells and up and over Rannerdale Knotts (1160ft), a walk of about 12 miles.

St. James Church.

The Wainwright Memorial.

Lambs!

Scale Bridge.

Crummock Water with Rannerdale Knotts behind.

Looking back to Buttermere, Robinson and Fleetwith Pike.

Panoramic view along the lake. Mellbreak ahead, Grasmoor, Whiteless Pike and Rannerdale Knotts right.

We head up in to the gorge that houses Scale Force Waterfall. This is the highest waterfall in the Lake District at 170ft

Then we head back down to the lakeshore path. Looking at our route up Rannerdale Knotts.

Heading for Low Ling Crag, the small promentary that is shaped like a dog`s head.

We then continued along the lake shore path before detouring up left for the road to the Kirkstile Inn. You can continue all the way around Crummock Water without ever having to walk on the road, but lunch and coffee was beckoning!

After lunch we headed for Scalehill Bridge where the walk through Lanthwaite Wood starts. We passed Roger and Ann Hiley`s Cottage. http://www.loweswatercam.co.uk/ Harry and Bethan were at the fence barking at us, so we had to stop and say hello. Ann was in the garden so we stopped for a chat. They are off to the Scottish Islands this week, but Harry had a thorn in is paw so they might not be able to do much walking. I look forward to seeing their photos on the website!

The pay and display car park at the start of the woodland walk.

When the track bifurcates just keep right to go to the lakeshore.

Looking towards Rannerdale Knotts on the left and the Red Pike range on the right.

There are weirs and bridges and a fish ladder at the north end of Crummock Water and we detour back the other way towards the pump house to explore the bit we missed by walking to the pub.

Looking across to the boat house and Grasmoor.

The pump house.

Looking down the lake from one of the weirs.

We then headed back the way we came. Panoramic view from the shore next to the boat house. Burnbank Fell on the right Low Fell ahead.

We followed the lakeshore path through the woods then out across fields. Eventually it comes out to a gate opposite Cinderdale car park, to join the path to Rannerdale.

Another view back with Mellbreak on the left.

Panorama of the entrance into Rannerdale.

Looking back from the grassy path into Rannerdale.

We walked amongst the bluebells. Twice in three days for me!

Heading up Rannerdale Knotts.

Looking towards Buttermere and the route of Thursday's walk up Warnscale Head and over Haystacks. Fleetwith Pike ridge on the left.

Looking north.

It is a steep route up.

Summit view south.

Summit view north. Loweswater now in view too.

Grasmoor and Whiteless Pike looming up behind us.

Panoramic summit view.

We then headed down the grassy slopes towards Buttermere village stopping at The Bridge for a drink and then an ice cream at the cafe.

An excellent walk. The only awkward bit is the long rocky path section that leads up to Scale Force, apart from that the rest is a gentle stroll. The climb up Rannerdale knotts which can be avoided by taking the lower path to Buttermere.

Jo.