Knott Rigg: Height, Walks and Views at 556 Metres

Knott Rigg is a grassy ridge fell above Newlands Hause, rising to 556 metres between Keskadale and the valley of Sail Beck. Its appeal lies less in height than in position: higher fells stand close around it, while the ridge towards Ard Crags gives the walking a clear, satisfying shape. It is a modest summit with a strong sense of its place in the North Western Fells.

A ridge between two valleys

Knott Rigg forms the south-western end of the ridge that continues north-east to Ard Crags. Keskadale lies on one side and the valley of Sail Beck on the other. This position gives the fell its distinctive character: an elongated grassy crest rather than a broad summit plateau, with steep slopes falling away into the valleys below. Its summit stands at 556 metres, or 1,824 feet, at grid reference NY197188.

The ridge is the feature that makes Knott Rigg more than an isolated summit visit. From its upper ground, the continuation towards Ard Crags is an obvious part of the landscape. Grass is the dominant impression along much of the crest, in contrast with the rockier faces of some neighbouring fells. The summit itself is understated; the shape of the ground and the surrounding relief supply the interest.

Close views of the North Western Fells

Knott Rigg belongs to Alfred Wainwright’s sixth volume, The North Western Fells, and ranks 145th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its neighbours include Ard Crags, Sail, Crag Hill and Wandope. These are not simply names on a distant skyline: the compact arrangement of ridges and valleys here brings several substantial fells into a relatively small area, making Knott Rigg a useful place to understand how this part of Lakeland fits together.

Robinson rises across Keskadale, while Sail and Wandope occupy the higher ground beyond Sail Beck. The outlook is therefore strongly shaped by nearby fells rather than by an uninterrupted distant horizon. There is particular pleasure in seeing the larger ridges from below their summits, with their slopes and intervening valleys in view. Knott Rigg’s comparatively low height is part of that perspective, not simply a limitation.

Walking from Newlands Hause

Newlands Hause, the road pass between the Newlands valley and Buttermere, is a familiar starting point for Knott Rigg. Because the pass already stands well above the valley floors, an outing from here involves less ascent than the summit height alone might suggest. Knott Rigg and Ard Crags are commonly walked together, linked by their continuous ridge.

That pairing is the fell’s best-known walking association. It offers a shorter alternative to the larger rounds over the surrounding high fells, without losing the interest of ridge walking. The crest remains exposed to wind and changing weather, and its modest elevation is no reason to leave navigation or suitable clothing behind.

Where Knott Rigg stands

Summit at grid reference NY197188 · open full map

The real Knott Rigg

Walking Knott Rigg

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• Knott Rigg Route One (wainwrightroutes.co.uk)
• Magnificent Seven, Cumbria, England - 121 Reviews, Map (alltrails.com)
• Hindscarth, Robinson to Knott Rigg and Ard Crags (penninewalker.net)

Weather on Knott Rigg

Conditions estimated at summit height (556 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Knott Rigg on your wall

A painting of Knott Rigg can hold onto what makes this corner of the Lakes distinctive: the long grassy crest, the folds of Keskadale and the higher fells beyond. As a print or canvas at home, it recalls a familiar ridge without needing to explain the whole walk.

Own “Sunlit Knott Rigg Ridge” — our painting of Knott Rigg → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The North Western Fells

• Sail 773 m
• Crag Hill 839 m
• Wandope 774 m
• Ard Crags 581 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.