Grasmoor and Rannerdale Knotts

About

Viewed from the west Grasmoor looks like a simple pyramidal peak but this is deceiving. Behind its giant west face it's a complex range of deep cut gills and valleys ringed by high crags and fine grassy ridges. Exploring this fine mountain is a delight with different views and secretive corners to be uncovered at every turn. This walk gains the main ridge of the range via a steady ascent up the outrider Rannerdale Knotts and over the subsidiary peaks of Whitless Pike and Wandope - then after topping out on Grasmoor it returns by descent into the depths of Gasgale Gill from where you can spy the impressive rocks of Dove Crag and Gasgale Crags. For those with excess energy, instead of returning to Buttermere via the road the pleasant path that circles round Crummock Water can be taken.

Grade: Intermediate
Start/Finish: Buttermere (NY174170)
Distance: 11.2 miles (18km)
Time: 5.5 hours
Height gain: 837m
Terrain: lakeside road, steep sided truncated spur, narrow crest, steep fellside, high rounded ridges summit plateau and steep craggy valley
Maps: OS Landranger 89, OS Outdoor Leisure 4, Harveys' Superwalker (1:25 000) and Walker (1:40 000) North West Lakeland.

1. From Buttermere village head North West along the road to Hause Point. Just round the bend from Hause Point leave the road and pickup the footpath and climb it steeply East to the summit of Rannerdale Knotts.

2. Head South East along the crest to the col below Whiteless Breast. At the col turn left and climb North East to Whiteless Breast then North to Whiteless Pike.

3. From Whiteless Pike the exposed but easy Whiteless Edge is followed North East to the rounded summit of Wandope.

4. The angle relents considerably after Wandope. To gain Grasmoor it is simply a matter of heading North West then West across the broad grassy col. The col and the summit plateau are featureless and ringed by crags so in poor visibility you should constantly check your bearings.

5. From the summit of Grasmoor backtrack East across the summit plateau then descend North East down the grassy gill to Coledale Hause. From Coledale Hause turn left and descend West down the narrowing Gasgale Gill path to join the road at Lanthwaite. At the road turn left and follow it back to Buttermere.

5a. If you are going to walk round the lake you should turn onto the lakeside footpath on the right 1km South of Lanthwaite.