“A fine view of the valley but impresses most when the evening sun lights up it's colourful rocks and screes”
A Wainwright
A great walk taking in some of the less frequented summits at the western end of the Buttermere Fells ridge including Great Borne and Starling Dodd with wonderful views over the Ennerdale Valley.
A great days walking away from the crowds.
“The view has the merit of presenting old favourites from an unusual angle”
A Wainwright
From Bowness Knott car park we will climb the rugged northern flank of Bowness Knott climbing above Brown How onto the steep southern slopes of Herdus or Great Borne climbing by Rake Beck to the summit Great Borne.
From the summit of Great Borne we will follow the ridge east, following the old fence-line climbing again to the summit of Starling Dodd, our second summit of the day before traversing across Little Dodd (not generally classed as a separate summit) before our final climb of the day onto Red Pike.
The summit of Red Pike is a wonderful viewpoint over the Buttermere Valley and of the high Fells around the Ennerdale Valley and north over Buttermere as far as Skiddaw in the Northern Fells.
From Red Pike we will descend to the south, loosing height quickly as we drop down between the plantations above the Ennerdale Valley before reaching the forest track along the valley by High Gillerthwaite.
The track takes us back by Low Gillerthwaite and along the Ennerdale Water lake-shore back to Bowness Knott 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: Bowness Knott, Ennerdale
Postcode: CA23 3AS (approximate)
Grid Reference: NY 109 153
Directions
From Cockermouth: Follow the A5086 south from Cockermouth, until shortly after the Lamplugh Tip pub is passed to the right turn left, on the road signposted to Kirkland and Ennerdale Bridge.
Follow the road to Kirkland turning left at the crossroads in the village, at the end of this road turn right at the t-junction.
Follow the road down the hill, turning left at the junction into Croasdale, continuing on this road to the Bowness Knott Car Park, crossing the cattle grid, we will meet in the larger car park to the left.
Bus Services
There are no bus services to Bowness Knott.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here