Ard Crags
581m (1906ft)
The North Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
You can find Ard Crags & all the walks that climb it on these unique free-to-access Interactive Walk Planning Maps: (click/TAP to select)
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See Ard Crags and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
See Ard Crags and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Map:
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 6ml (9.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 1,894ft (577m) |
| Time: | 4 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Little Town - Newlands Church - Keskerdale Farm - Knott Rigg - Ard Crags - Rigg Beck - Birkrigg - Gillbrow - Little Town
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 14.5ml (23km) |
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| Ascent: | 5,409ft (1,648m) |
| Time: | 11 hrs |
| Grade: |  (Very Hard) |
Route Summary:
Hawes End - Derwent Water - Skelgill Bank - Woodford's Path - Cat Bells (Catbells) - Maiden Moor - High Spy (North Top) - High Spy - Dalehead Tarn - Dale Head (Newlands) - Hindscarth - Littledale Edge - Robinson - High Snockrigg - Moss Force - Newlands Hause - Knott Rigg - Ard Crags - Birkrigg - Keskerdale Beck - Newlands Church - Newlands Beck - Little Town - Skelgill Farm - Hawes End Derwent Water.
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Ard Crags
Neil Walker walked up on August 21st, 2025 [from/via/route] Rowling End Farm [with] Emma [weather] Cloudy - Out-and-back walk from Rowling End. Tough slog up Ard Crags from Ill rigg, then easy walking on the plateau to Knot Rigg
James Hughes climbed it on August 2nd, 2025 [from/via/route] c345 Knott Rigg & Ard Crags from Little Town [weather] Warm, sunny spells, breezy on tops. - Pleasant afternoon stroll from carpark near Newlands Church (honesty payment). Easy walk up road to cross fields to road near Keskerdale Farm. Not clear where to take path up to Knott Rigg, but farmer assisted. Through gate opposite farm, make for tree & then climb over gate at top (to keep sheep in). Path is clear from there cutting up side of hill to ascend to Knott Rigg. Really easy over top to Ard Crags. Then steepish but easy descent off top. Clear path bears left to path at base of Causey Pike. Took a less distinct path due to following instructions which ended up on this path anyhow. Path joins road at bridge & then returned on road back to Newlands Church. Easy. Pint of Landlord at Swinside Inn. Generally underwhelmed.
Caroline Winter bagged it on March 26th, 2025 [from/via/route] Quarry CP, Rigg beck, Ard crags, Ard top, Knott Rigg, Newlands Hause, road back [with] Solo [weather] Warm excellent views - Excellent for fell top spotting from Blencathra & Dodds, to Grassmoor & beyond.
Nick Tippins hiked it on March 24th, 2025 [from/via/route] c345: Knott Rigg & Ard Crags from Little Town [with] Fran
Martin Hartshorne summited on March 21st, 2025 [from/via/route] Rannerdale parking area [with] finley [weather] Started warm & sunny, then strong winds clouded over quite cold
Charlotte Hewson conquered it on August 18th, 2024 [with] Rose
Sarah Gunn scaled on July 28th, 2024 [from/via/route] From Littletown [with] Martin Gunn
Ian Ashton walked up on June 30th, 2024 [with] Solo - Ì
Geoff Hand climbed it on May 2nd, 2024 [from/via/route] Walk c345,Walked up from Kesterdale farm having walked from Little Town. Many false summits! Followed the ridge onto Ard Crags & then wound down to Birkrig Farm. NB Some young cows looked very interestedin us as we were ambling down the hill so we cut down to the road earlier than shown on the map. [with] Tess, my Jack Russell [weather] Sunny Intervals, warm in the sun. Very windy from the north east. - Nice easy walk bearing in mind I am doing Coniston Fell race on Saturday 4th.
Kate Peacock bagged it on January 6th, 2024 [from/via/route] Main car park [with] Sheila and both dogs [weather] Beautiful day, perfect - Amber's first walk
David Higginbottom hiked it on July 6th, 2023 [from/via/route] Route 142 & 345 combined 23k [with] Carolyn [weather] Good
Steve Lucas summited on May 29th, 2022 [with] On my own
Paul Macey conquered it on June 10th, 2023 [from/via/route] Using walk c345 [with] Luke [weather] Sunny & hot some high cloud
Angeline Grieveson scaled on January 22nd, 2023 [with] Dotty
Diane Edgar walked up on July 20th, 2022 [from/via/route] Walked from Moss Force. [with] Gil [weather] Sunny but breezy - The best view of Causey. Im going to the peak..... the peak of my endurance!
David Butterfield climbed it on July 22nd, 2022 [from/via/route] Newlands Hause [weather] Cloudy
Richard Marchant bagged it on July 18th, 2022 [from/via/route] Started out from the car park at Newland Hause & basically walked up the ridge to Knott Rigg & on to Ard Crags & back to the car the same way. [with] On my Own [weather] Clear hot sunny day with little or no breeze.
Steve Cookson hiked it on March 23rd, 2022 [from/via/route] C345 from Little Town [with] Gillie [weather] Sunny & calm
Claire Murray summited on April 30th, 2022 [from/via/route] Knott Rigg & Ard Crag [with] Vitor - Lovely easy walk
Christine Shepherd conquered it on May 31st, 2010 [from/via/route] Walk c345 from Littletown Climbed again via the same route 07.09.21 Climbed for a third time from Newlands Hause on 7.6.22 [with] On my own [weather] Hot & sunny
Richard Fulcher scaled on May 8th, 2022 [from/via/route] Parked in the Chapel Bridge car park near Little Town in the Newlands valley. We set off to Rigg Beck & started our ascent of Ard Crags up the valley below Causey Pike. We followed the easy ridge walk along Ard Crags & across to Knott Rigg before taking a sharp right down an initial feint path that gradually descends down the side of the fell to Keskadale farm. We completed the circuit by crossing fields until we reached the single track road that goes to Low High Snab .. following this back to the car. [with] Jen [weather] Light breeze with sunshine & clear views.
Claire Rigg walked up on January 30th, 2022 [with] Heidi [weather] Sunny
Dan Milman climbed it on April 12th, 2018 [with] Milly & Jonah [weather] Cool & clear
Tim Winn bagged it on August 11th, 2021 [from/via/route] Cow Bridge Car Park, Brothers Water [with] Barry [weather] Good
Iain Jones hiked it on May 27th, 2021 [from/via/route] Braithwaite (Trail Run).
Darren Wilson summited on November 25th, 2020 [from/via/route] Knott Rigg & Ard Crag [with] Lone [weather] Beautiful day
Stuart Rigby conquered it on September 29th, 2020 [from/via/route] Newlands Hause car park [with] Mandy Rigby [weather] Sunny Clear very few clouds hardly any breeze.
Dave Eyes scaled on September 29th, 2020 [from/via/route] Parked at Newlands Hause. Walked up the ridge to Knott Rigg & then on to Ard Crags. returned by same route. [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Lovely Sunny Day - Brilliant Views
Andrew Flynn walked up on August 8th, 2020 [from/via/route] c459 The Greater Newlands Horseshoe from Hawes End [with] Nicola [weather] Very very sunny - Ran out of water with approx 7 miles to go. A lot of lessons learnt that day.
Simon Myerscough climbed it on December 9th, 2019 [from/via/route] C345 from Little Town [with] Joanne Myerscough [weather] Lovely day, bright, cold & dry very breezy at top
Frances Thornton bagged it on November 29th, 2019 [from/via/route] Little Town [with] Richard, Erdee, Maggie and Gill [weather] Glorious cold day - Knott Rigg
Andrew Johnson hiked it on November 25th, 2019 [from/via/route] Newlands Pass [with] Tom and Ted [weather] Misty
Charlotte Hill summited on August 8th, 2019 [from/via/route] From Newlands Hawes with Paul, Lewis & Alex. Left family at Knot Rigg [with] Paul, Lewis and Alex [weather] Dry
Simon Boddy conquered it on July 1st, 2018 [from/via/route] Little Town [with] My girlfriend [weather] Very warm & sunny
Lucy Perchard scaled on May 15th, 2018 [from/via/route] From Knott Rigg - felt very small walking along the ridge under the shadow of the Coledale Horseshoe ridge [with] Tony [weather] Dull but dry
Richard Beardsley walked up on May 6th, 2018 [from/via/route] From Knott Rigg, walking route c345 [with] Gillian [weather] Sunny, beautiful day.
Christina Lander climbed it on June 6th, 2018 [from/via/route] Little Town - Rowling End - Causey Pike - Scar Crags - Ard Crags - Knott Rigg - Newlands Hause - Robinson - High Snab Bank - Little Town [with] Dick [weather] A perfect sunny day on the high fells
Vic Royle bagged it on April 6th, 2018 [with] Team Wiggle [weather] Blowy mcpunchbags - Death valley descent - 'I don't fuckin know' , Milting around on the waterfall, 'you've got the most precious cargo just carry on'
John Tippins hiked it on March 29th, 2018 [from/via/route] Started at Newlands Pass, via Knott Rigg. [with] Solo [weather] Bright, sunny day & warm enough to walk in a t-shirt, if you're hardy.
Chris Sheard summited on September 13th, 2017 [from/via/route] Up from Newlands pass [with] Alan [weather] Wild force 6 with blustery showers & hail - Very steep up & long gracefull ridge with great views over the valley
Derek Parkin conquered it on April 2nd, 2016 [from/via/route] Knott Rigg [with] Lynn Parkin [weather] brezzy
Richard Marshall scaled on August 13th, 2017 [from/via/route] Little Town [with] Volkan and Bo [weather] Sunny
Neil Bennett walked up on August 5th, 2017 [from/via/route] Walked from Newlands Hause via Knott Rigg. [with] Pam Bennett, Oliver Bennett, Thomas Bennett. [weather] Overcast & blustery with sun breaking through.
Craig Steeland climbed it on June 7th, 2017 [from/via/route] From Newlands Hause car park via Knott Rigg [with] Sue [weather] Dry & cool with absolutely ferocious winds
Wayne Baxter bagged it on April 14th, 2017 [from/via/route] Little Town, Kesadale farm, Knott Rigg, Ard Crags, Aikins Knott, Birkrigg & Little Town [with] Sue ,Wendy & Trevor [weather] Cloudy & raining at first with sun later
Anthony Thorpe hiked it on March 11th, 2017 [with] Sean [weather] Misty
John Almond summited on January 25th, 2017 [from/via/route] go4awalk c345 - From car park near Little Town [with] Solo [weather] Sunny with strong winds on tops - Still a couple of storm damaged footbridges missing over Keskadale Beck
Mark Davidson conquered it on June 9th, 2003 [with] Alone [weather] Lovely & sunny
Nick Dobson scaled on August 1st, 2016 [from/via/route] Robinson then Knott Rigg [with] Margaret & Ralph [weather] Sunny - An excellent walk round Newlands
Anthony Scott walked up on July 19th, 2016 [from/via/route] buttermere [with] me [weather] Exceptional! Sunny & hot
Clive Ward climbed it on June 26th, 2016 [from/via/route] See Hindscarth
Elaine Evans bagged it on June 2nd, 2016 [from/via/route] From old quarry near New Town, followed road to Moss Force then ascended Knott Rigg & followed the ridge to Ard Crags [with] Sue [weather] Beautiful - sunny and, warm with an occasionalgentle cool breeze. - Long walk along road first. Ben traumatised by being chased by a sheep!
David Noble hiked it on October 31st, 2015 [from/via/route] Little Town [with] Kelly and Jack [weather] Overcast claggy & rain but warm no views
Phillip Bulley summited on September 6th, 2015 [from/via/route] Knott Rigg [with] Judith and Toby. [weather] Sunny & windy
Steve Frank conquered it on August 16th, 2015 [from/via/route] Buttermere
Desmonde Talbot scaled on September 16th, 2011 [from/via/route] go4walk c345 from Little Town [with] Allan Talbot [weather] Occasional rain, heavy cloud, up to 40mph strong gusts - Wet & boggy in places & path through thick heather very narrow & at times hard going.
Keith Eastman walked up on August 5th, 2014 [from/via/route] c345
Christine Knowles climbed it on June 13th, 2014 [from/via/route] Newlands Hause via Knott Rigg [with] Graham [weather] Quite good, close.
Graham Coules bagged it on May 20th, 2014 [from/via/route] Knott Rigg & Ard Crags from Little Town, Newlands Valley [with] Dale [weather] Sunny spells & warm
Jacqueline Debbie Tonks hiked it on April 11th, 2014 [from/via/route] Newlands hause [with] Pete Tonks [weather] clear, good views, cold wind blowing.
Sandra Wallace summited on April 8th, 2014 [from/via/route] Up from new lands house & along to knott Rigg & down to Rigg Beck [with] Is he went back to newlands house for the car [weather] Cold when we started very windy, but on descent the sun came out. - Found the wind a bit difficult to start with, but got used to it. The walk was about 3 1/2 miles & about a thousand ft of ascent. A more positive day.
Harry Meijer conquered it on June 5th, 2014 [from/via/route] Ard Crags Evening Walk [with] The Lake District Walker
Chris Bramley scaled on January 19th, 2014 [from/via/route] Braithwaite road [with] Daz, Harry [weather] Damp muddy
Gill Watson walked up on October 27th, 2010 [from/via/route] from top of pass from buttermere [with] Gill
Raymond Barnett climbed it on October 16th, 2013 [with] self [weather] wet
Doug Martin bagged it on September 25th, 2013 [from/via/route] Disused quarry Ard Crags Knott Rigg High Snockrigg [with] Brampton Fellwalkers [weather] Misty low cloud but mild with very little wind which was why cloud took so long to shift. Quite balmy really
Darren Mortimer hiked it on July 27th, 2013 [from/via/route] Little Town [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] Warm & sunny
Kevin Parnham summited on June 9th, 2013 [from/via/route] From Little Town via Knott Rigg [with] Jo and Charlotte [weather] overcast but warm - great views of previous days walk
Tony Aspden conquered it on May 20th, 2010 [from/via/route] Swinside Farm to Burnthwaite Farm [with] Andy [weather] Sunny & clear
John Cave scaled on May 1st, 2013 [from/via/route] Knott Rigg & along ridge to Ard Crags, continue along ridge to bear right to road. [with] Ann, John & Jenny Parkin [weather] Mixed, see Knott Rigg
Iain Taylor walked up on April 2nd, 2013 [from/via/route] Stoneycroft NY23286 21215
Dale Verrall climbed it on March 15th, 2012 [from/via/route] Little town - Walk number C345 [with] Amber [weather] Nice afternoon
Charlie Housley bagged it on July 9th, 2012 [from/via/route] Along the ridge from Knott Rigg. [with] Solo. [weather] Overcast & dark with the threat of heavy rain...which never appeared, thank goodness.
Dale Sexton, Stephen Byrne, Neil Smith, Michael Austin, Patrick Rogozinski, Andrew Thornton, Andrew Martin, Clare Houlihan, Erin Ryan, Jenny Godfrey, Peter Thwaites, Karen Lythgoe, David Hallam, Maxine Down, Peter Clark, Melanie Dunn, David Kelley, Andrew Foster, Ian Gate, David Watson, Louis Smith, David Shaw, David Laws, Jacqui Smith, Elaine Grayson, Louise Sandwith, Jonathan Tobin, Mike Wilson, Patricia Dilley, Linda Mckeogh, Simon Duerden, Colin Egan, Adrian Roberts, Michael Nolan, Tracey Cowell, Paul Booth, Rob Barklamb, Tracey Cordes, Trevor Williams, Paul Henderson, Paul Stevens, John Cuthbert, Victoria Bates, Stephen Millington, Jeanette Coward, Ray O'hara, Linda Walker, Simon Smith and Libby Burns have all walked, climbed & bagged Ard Crags.To add (or remove) your name and experiences on this page - Log On and edit your Personal Mountain Bagging Record
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More Photographs & Pictures of views from, on or of Ard Crags
The summit of Ard Crags with the shoulder of Robinson and High Snockrigg beyond
Grasmoor, Crag Hill (Eel Crag), Sail, Ard Crags and Knott Rigg from the summit of Wandope
Knott Rigg (foreground left), Buttermere (just poking out) with Red Pike (Buttermere) beyond and Whitelees Pike & Wandope (centre right) from Ard Crags
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