“Interest in the climb quickens at the foot of Aiken Knott. Bracken is succeeded by heather, through which a neat and charming track winds up the narrow ridge to the east top”

A Wainwright

A wonderful narrow heathery ridge links the tops of the Ard Crags and Knott Rigg, a delightful quieter walk above the Newlands Valley, a perfect ridge walk in miniature.

Summits included on this route:
Ard Crags581 metres / 1906 feet
Knott Rigg556 metres / 1824 feet

“In fell-climbing (as in other pursuits) there is a difference between achievement and satisfaction. One's sense of achievement is roughly in proportion to altitude gained by effort, but one's sense of satisfaction is not necessarily governed by the same rule. Lonely Ard Crags offers, especially in August, a climb up to a personal heaven of one's very own”

A Wainwright

After meeting at the small car park at Rigg Beck in the Newlands Valley we will follow the path alongside the beck for a short while until an easy route across the beck and up onto the ridge beyond is reached, once on the ridge the bracken covered slopes soon make way to a wonderful heathery ridge as we climb up over Aiken Knott.

Soon the gradient eases as we approach the summit of the Ard Crags, from here on the ridge is a wonderful easy walk, often much quieter than it's more famous neighbours, we cross the north top of Ard Crags before reaching the true summit.

The views over the Newlands Valley are wonderful, from Catbells to Robinson we have a great perspective on the Newlands Horseshoe and to the west the Causey Pike and Scar Crags ridge towers above us.

As we follow the ridge south the fells above Buttermere open up in front of us giving us a good panorama of the Buttermere Fells ridge as we reach our final summit, Knott Rigg.

From the top of Knott Rigg our descent is by the eastern ridge, above Ill Gill dropping down to Keskadale Farm and the roadside below Ill Gill. We now walk back along the lane to Rigg Beck and our start point.

Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.

Where to meet: Rigg Beck, Newlands
Postcode: CA12 5TS
Grid Reference: NY 229 201

Directions

From Keswick:
Follow the A66 west from Keswick, towards Cockermouth & Workington turning off the road at Braithwaite, Turn left as you enter the village, and left again over the bridge and follow the road to the Newlands Valley.

Follow this road, crossing a cattle grid, over the bridge at Stonycroft and continue to a sharp bend on a bridge, there is a small car park next to the bridge, we will meet here, Rigg Beck.

Bus Services

There are no buses along the Newlands Valley.

Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here

Each participant is expected to bring suitable personal equipment for the event.
This should include the following:

Kit List:

Walking shoes / Boots
Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
Warm tops
Packed lunch
Spare clothing
Water
Hat
Gloves

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Questions:

1 Answer

What is the minimum age for children on this event?

Posted by , Friday, 13 October 2017 on product Ard Crags & Knott Rigg Evening Walk

Question:

What is the minimum age for children on this event?

Answers:

Posted by John Scadding on Friday, 13 October 2017

We do not have a set minimum age for this event, however, you know your child best, therefore please bear in mind this is an open event of varying ages, if you are not confident your child can complete this event then hiring a private guide could be a more suitable option.

As this is an open event all under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.

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1 Answer

What happens if the weather is bad?

Posted by , Thursday, 12 October 2017 on product Ard Crags & Knott Rigg Evening Walk

Question:

What happens if the weather is bad?

Answers:

Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We plan to walk whatever the weather, unless it is dangerous to do so.

Mountain weather can be a little unpredictable, but we do keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to walks, should the forecast mean that the walk is not possible then we will contact you as soon as we have the forecast and offer you the following options:
- A more suitable walk on the same date taking into consideration the weather conditions
- A transfer to the same walk on another date
- A full refund

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1 Answer

Are dogs allowed on this walk?

Posted by , Friday, 22 September 2017 on product Ard Crags & Knott Rigg Evening Walk

Question:

Are dogs allowed on this walk?

Answers:

Posted by John Scadding on Friday, 22 September 2017

Yes, dogs are allowed on all our walks.

However we do cross farmland and common land where animals will be grazing, there will be large sections of the walk, if not all, where dogs will be required to be on a lead.

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