People wait to view the Rannerdale bluebells all year, and it’s simple to understand why. The sight is incredible; whether you come down from Rannderdale Knotts or another way, it will make you stop and gaze for a long time.
Rannerdale Valley is a fell hiker’s paradise, with hard pathways and varied terrain, but what awaits at the summit is enough to drive even the most hesitant walker. As you might expect, our walk of the week is Rannderdale Knotts, which includes the bluebells.
The valley takes hikers to the hill with beautiful views of Buttermere and back down the valley. Less experienced hikers commonly choose the path because of the beauty of the bluebells.
You’ll be able to enjoy a leisurely pint in the Buttermere Court Hotel once you’ve done the trek and can tear yourself away from shooting photos. The hotel’s High Stile Kitchen is the ideal place to enjoy a lunch or evening meal.
Walk Details:
Walk 100m up the Cinderdale Beck from the Cinderdale Common car lot to the trail directly above you and turn right. Cross the brook and continue up the valley. The Rannerdale Valley becomes blue with a carpet of bluebells in early to mid May.
Cross a bridge over Squat Beck and turn right to follow the stream’s left bank. Continue on this trail beneath Rannerdale Knott’s crags until you reach the little parking area at Buttermere Hause.
You’ll then need to go across the parking lot and turn left along the road, parallel to Crummock Water.
Almost immediately, follow an upward road on your left that is rough at first but eventually becomes green. As you climb, disregard the two weak grassy trails to your left and stay on the same route. You will reach a fork in the trail from which you can see Buttermere Lake.
The trail will then bear left and begin to rise sharply after passing through a grassy section. Beyond Crummock Water, you can see Loweswater. The trail bends to the right in front of a couple of rocky outcroppings and climbs pretty steeply. The trail curves to the right, becoming a little scrambly over rocks in spots.
Follow the route past the cairns and over the long undulating rocky ridge with views of Buttermere hamlet and lake from the summit.
As you approach the ridge’s end, you’ll come to a five-way intersection. Take the trail to the left to reach the valley below. Turn left when you reach the trail and continue it down the Rannerdale Valley. Cross the bridge that you crossed at the beginning of the trip and retrace your steps back down the valley to the car park.
A former British Military Officer, Eddie went on to study History and then Journalism at Sheffield Hallam University. A keen outdoorsman, he has co-written several books on Outdoor Survival and Wild Camping. Now living in Penrith, Ed is a keen fellrunner.
