Favourite Fell Days: Ard Crags and Knott Rigg

ard crag summit

Last March we decided to tackle a relatively unexplored area for us, the Newlands Valley. We'd done 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 it. The weather was perfect; clear, sunny but cool enough just for a fleece.

We parked at Little Town and would have gone further to the spaces at the head of Rigg Beck but our Land Rover wouldn't fit easily over Chapel Bridge, 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 (sounds like something a chiropractor could fix) as the summit of Ard Crags is no longer visible from this point. There is one enormous grassy bank to overcome and, in the heat of the morning, it was a real slog. We hate walking up grassy banks and much prefer a rocky path - concentrating on where to put your feet takes your mind off what you're doing! 

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 bottom of Aikin Knott, there was then a narrow, steep path to negotiate which would have been straightforward if it weren't for considering the dog who wasn't as agile as he had been, so we had a few tricky rocky patches to get past, but they were easily overcome and he managed well. We were glad of the breeze once on the ridge as we’d worked up a bit of a sweat, as we were of the views which were magnificent; Causey Pike, Eel Crag and Sail to on one side and across the Newlands Valley to Dale Head, Robinson and Hindscarth the other, with the ridge ahead to Knott Rigg; Skiddaw and Blencathra behind.

The ridge was flat and wide and the summit of Ard Crags was easily reached. We had lunch there, cooling off, enjoying the scenery and chatting to the one couple who had followed us all morning, which was lovely. Then it was 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 bit of a rest, some photos, enjoying 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; springy turf and heather and it was dry underfoot, so we made quick progress. The dog, at 12 years old, flew down like he always did, and before long we were half way down. The other couple, still following us, were soon a way behind. I stop to take more photos and admire the views than Bro, so it takes me a while to catch up, but we were soon over the 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 turned up and found they had actually 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 top left

stunning views of Newlands