Favourite Fell Days: Ard Crags and Knott Rigg

the views from ard crags’ summit

Last March we decided to visit a relatively unexplored area for us, the Newlands Valley. We'd climbed Catbells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Dale Head and Hindscarth, so we'd essentially walked some of the ridges above the valley, but this time we would actually be right in the thick of it. The weather was perfect; clear, sunny but just cool enough.

We parked at Little Town and would have gone further to the spaces at the head of Rigg Beck but we couldn’t make the turn over tiny Chapel Bridge in the Land Rover, so we walked the mile or so to where we would have parked at Birkrigg Quarry. It was a pleasant, flat walk by Rigg Beck through the little valley of the same name, with Causey Pike towering over us to the right and Ard Crags looking huge and slightly menacing from this viewpoint.

An obvious crossing point of the beck and faint path diagonally up through the bracken signalled the beginning of the climb up to the foot of Aikin Knott (sounding like something a chiropractor could fix) as the summit of Ard Crags was no longer visible from this point. There was an enormous grassy bank to overcome and, in the heat of the morning, it was a real slog.

Ard Crags looking menacing

from aikin knott looking back at the huge grassy bank - you can just see the couple following us, right of centre on the path

Once we reached the foot of Aikin Knott, there was a narrow, steep path to negotiate which would have been straightforward for us, but we had to consider the dog who wasn't as agile as he had once been There were one or two tricky areas, but they were easily overcome and the dog managed well. We were glad of the breeze once on the ridge as we’d got a little warm on the climb up , but the views were magnificent. Causey Pike, Eel Crag and Sail to one side, the Newlands Valley to Dale Head, Robinson and Hindscarth the other, the ridge to Knott Rigg ahead, Skiddaw and Blencathra looming behind.

The ridge was flat and wide and it was a simple walk to the summit of Ard Crags. We had lunch there, cooling off, enjoying the scenery and chatting to the a couple who had followed us all morning, which was lovely. It was then a simple down and up to Knott Rigg further along the ridge, with its wonderful views of the Buttermere valley and the High Stile range.

Almost at the summit of Ard crags looking into the NEWLands valley

keskadale farm, our return route, from ard crags

the ridge from ard crags to knott rigg

Knott Rigg summit

After a pause to take some photos, enjoy the weather and the views, we set off following a faint but obvious path down towards Keskadale Farm in the Newlands Valley. The going was good and fast on springy turf and heather which was dry underfoot. The dog, at 12 years old, flew along like he always did downhill, and before long we were half way down. The other couple, still following us, were soon quite a way behind. I stop to take more photos and admire the views than Bro, but we were soon over a stile by the farm's rather smelly dog kennels and out onto the road, where it was an easy yomp back to the car.

Just as we were changing out of our boots and having a quick drink, the other couple arrived, having parked next to us!

Unbelievably stunning views in all directions, perfect weather and a lovely couple to chat to on the way round made this a really memorable and wonderful day.

on the way back down - ard crags summit is visible top left

stunning views of Newlands