Belles Knott

Four scrambles up Belles Knott in the central Lake District above Easedale Tarn.

Summary verdict: rather a hike to reach but like an outdoor climbing centre with lots of options to iteratively and quickly build from grade 1 to grade 2 scrambles

Route in: from Grasmere, walk up past Sourmilk Gill and Easedale Tarn; or starting from New Dungeon Ghyll, walk up by Stickle Ghyll and above Stickle Tarn

Start point: at the south-east of the base around OS ref NY 29776 08547

Grading: graded 2 by the ‘Scrambles in The Lake District South’ book but you can get to the top via everything from walking up the grass at the back to grade 3 ascent up the front rock wall; I scrambled four different routes culminating in a just-sub-grade 2 route

Notes: a photo of three of the routes can be found at the end of the video

Warning: after prolonged rain bits of the grass / moss may readily detach underfoot, and after any rain the rock may be slippery

End point: the highest rocks at the top of Belles Knott

Route out: return the way you came to Grasmere or Dungeon Ghyll

Map link: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-january-12-2025-abcc532

Time: a little under 2 hours from car park or bus stop to Belles Knott; you can scramble up in less than 10 minutes but the point is to try several different routes; just over an hour to return

Combine with: Wray Gill or Sourmilk Gill and Easedale Gill from Grasmere side; Stickle Ghyll and Jack’s Rake from Dungeon Ghyll side

Gear: climbing helmet if undertaking more difficult scrambles

Verdict: it’s a long way to get to but you can drop your rucksack, treat Belles Knott like an outdoor climbing centre, and spend a pleasant hour or more trying different routes – the more rock and less grass, in general, the better – and easy to repeat as there’s no need to downclimb

Category: Standard

Score: 7/10

Video guide: