Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
The Williamson Monument on the top of High Knott was in the past vandalised. The
monument was built by the Reverend T Williamson in 1803 in memory of his father.
Rebuilt after the act of vandalism, all access to the summit was forbidden by the land
owner. Stories abound about how zealously the farmer enforces this restriction on
a lot of the various forums I have seen.
Fellow completers of the 116 Outlying challenge have in the past only been able to
go up as far as the retaining wall as warning signs on most of the approach gates
specifically state Trespass and intention of prosecution etc etc. I have even heard that
the Wainwright Society will accept the bagging of this Fell even if you only go as
far as the retaining wall.
This walk from Ullthwaite Bridge does NOT pass through any gate with a warning
sign on it and whilst there is a reasonably steep scramble to get up towards the
retaining wall, it is in essence a simple short walk with a very rewarding view and
I have to thank Dave Glenn Hewitt (The Hiking Viking)
https://www.youtube.com/@DaveGlennHewitt
for his research in devising this route to the summit
From the A591 turn right to go through Staveley and head out on the single track road
as if you were going to Kentmere. Pass Scroggs Bridge along Brow Foot Lane and
carry on towards Ullthwaite Bridge. There are free parking spaces for about 3 or 4 cars
just by the bridge. The walk starts from here
About a hundred yards or so South a road branches off to the right which leads
to Ullthwaite Bridge
As we cross the bridge High Knott can be seen in the far distance
Cross the bridge and look out immediately for a path branching off to the left
Go through the gate and follow the walled path
The track leads towards Brow Foot Farm
Passing through the Farm
At the bottom end of the Farm yard a track veers off to the left
Turn left at the top of the rise. This is looking back down the track
leading to the farm
Follow the road for about a quarter of a mile or so and watch out for a broken metal
gate on the right. This will need to be scaled so as to get on the open fellside
Once over the gate start to climb steeply upwards towards a line of trees.
This is initially pathless, but a path of sorts appears near the treeline
Tee faint grass trod can be followed for a short distance, however the ultimate
aim is to climb higher still towards a gate in a retaining wall
The gate in the retaining wall
Follow the footpath through the gate as it rises gently. The next objective is
to climb higher still to a second retaining wall
Heading towards the second retaining wall, we aimed for the large boulder
Looking towards the Kentmere Horseshoe
At this point we are walking parallel to the wall along a faint grass trod
The trod follows the wall down into a dip where a gate on the right
gives access to the summit approach of High Knott
Through the gate and keep close to the wall on a decent track
At the top of the climb and the summit cairn comes into view. Turn right through the gate
Through the gate and follow the wall to another open gate just before the monument
Approaching the summit of High Knott
Sue and Spud at the summit of High Knott and the Williamson Monument
Click here for a 360 degree view
Looking across towards the Langdale Pikes, Crinkle Crags and Bowfell
Looking towards the Kentmere Horseshoe from the summit
