Knott Rigg & Ard Crags
NY187168 Head north-east from your camp to reach a path junction. Continue north-east and descend steeply on the good path down to the car park at the top of Newlands Pass, next to Moss Force waterfall. Take the wide grassy path heading north-north-east. Climb an initial hump, continue over a brief flat section and then ascend a very steep, grassy slope to gain the ridge at the 470m contour line. Continue north-north-east, sticking to the narrow trod along the apex of the ridge. As the gradient lessens, veer north over the plateau before ascending gently to Knott Rigg’s summit.
NY197188 Continue north-east along the undulating ridge and over a subsidiary top. Veer slightly right and descend easily to a col. Climb north-east on a well-trodden path up heather-clad slopes to arrive at the Ard Crags summit, which is adorned with a small stony cairn. The easiest option here is to return via the route of ascent, but a more interesting option is to head north-west on an unofficial (but welltrodden) shortcut path to the opposite hillside. Descend this steep, grassy path into a little valley before ascending briefly to reach another path. Turn left and head south-west on the path, which is clear underfoot. Where another path joins from the right, continue west to traverse and gently descend over grassy slopes and then scree to reach Addacomb Beck. Cross the beck and traverse south-west to arrive at Third Gill.
NY186188 Cross the stream’s steeplycut valley, following the path as it completes a V-shaped turn. Traverse south-west to cross an un-named stream to the south of Bleak Rigg, looping sharply left and right. Fork left at a junction and take the path descending southwest, following the line of Mill Beck which is down to your left. Next to a wall, continue south-west and follow a fence to reach the edge of a woodland. Turn left through a gate and down steps to enter the National Trust’s Ghyll Wood. Head south and south-west through the wood on an easy-tofollow path. Go through a metal gate next to a wall and emerge at the road next to the Bridge Hotel. Turn left, cross the little bridge over Mill Beck and turn right to enter Buttermere Village.