Grey Knotts
697m (2287ft)
The Western Fells, The Lake District, Cumbria, England
You can find Grey Knotts & 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 Grey Knotts and the surrounding tops on our free-to-access 'Google Style' Peak Bagging Maps:
See Grey Knotts and the surrounding tops on our downloadable PDF Peak Bagging Map:
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 5.75ml (9km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,340ft (731m) |
| Time: | 4½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Honister Pass - Honister Hause - Grey Knotts - Brandreth - Green Gable - Windy Gap - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Moses' Trod - Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk - Honister Pass
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 6.25mls (10km) |
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| Ascent: | 2,756ft (840m) |
| Time: | 5.25hrs |
| Grade: |  (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Honister Pass - Honister Hause - Bell Crags - Hopper Quarry - Honister Quarries - Honister Crag (Black Star) - Burnt Scarth - Fleetwith Pike - Dubs Hut - Dubs Quarry - Warnscale Beck - Green Crag (Buttermere) - Blackbeck Tarn - Innominate Tarn - Hay Stacks (Haystacks) - Innominate Tarn - Loft Beck - Coast to Coast Walk - Brandreth - Grey Knotts - Honister Hause.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 7.5ml (12km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,289ft (1,002m) |
| Time: | 6 hrs |
| Grade: | (Moderate) |
Route Summary:
Honister Pass - Honister Hause - Grey Knotts - Brandreth - Green Gable - Windy Gap - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Kirk Fell - Moses' Trod - Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk - Honister Pass
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 8.5ml (13.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,260ft (1,298m) |
| Time: | 7.25hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Honister Pass - Honister Hause - Green Crag (Buttermere) - Black Beck - Blackbeck Tarn - Innominate Tarn - Hay Stacks (Haystacks) - Scarth Gap - Ennerdale - River Liza - Black Sail Hut (Youth Hostel) - Black Sail Path - Kirk Fell - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Beckhead Tarn - Beck Head - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Windy Gap - Green Gable - Gillercomb Head - Brandreth - Grey Knotts - Honister Hause.
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 9ml (14.5km) |
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| Ascent: | 3,965ft (1,208m) |
| Time: | 7½ hrs |
| Grade: | (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Honister Pass - Honister Hause - Grey Knotts - Brandreth - Blackmoor Pols - Base Brown - Mitchell Cove - Green Gable - Windy Gap - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Beck Head - Beckhead Tarn - Kirk Fell (East Top) - Kirk Fell - Moses' Trod - Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk - Honister Pass
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Vital Statistics:
| Length: | 10.5ml (17km) |
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| Ascent: | 4,693ft (1,430m) |
| Time: | 8½ hrs |
| Grade: |  (Hard) |
Route Summary:
Seatoller - Strands Bridge - Borrowdale - The Combe - Thornythwaite Fell - Comb Head - Glaramara - Looking Steads (Glaramara) - Red Beck - Red Beck Top - Allen Gill - High House Tarn - High House Tarn Top - Allen Crags - Esk Hause - Ruddy Gill - Sprinkling Tarn - Sty Head - Great Gable - Westmorland Cairn - Windy Gap - Green Gable - Gillercomb Head - Brandreth - Grey Knotts - Honister Hause - Honister Pass - Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk - Seatoller
Fellow go4awalkers who have already walked, climbed, summited & bagged Grey Knotts
James Hughes walked up on August 10th, 2025 [from/via/route] c417 Base Brown, Great Gable & Kirk Fell from Honister [weather] Warmish, sometimes overcast, sometimes sunny. - Stomp up to Grey Knotts from Honister - didn't feel too bad as started at decent height. Easy yomp over to Brandreth before hitting the path to descend to Base Brown. Good views then steepish ascent back to Green Gable. Good vista of Great Gable & Moses Trod below. Hard trek up Great Gable on rocky terrain. Topped & then overshot after the memorial to return to path down to Kirk Fell. Took one of the false boulder paths cited by Wainwright which ended in scree Sunday. The error of my ways became more apparent looking back as the scree looks quite severe. Had actually ascended Great Gable before from Kirk Fell col which was easier, although easy to understand how it would be hard in the mist. Another there & back on Kirk Fell - big flat top. Return via Moses Trod back to tramway track. Pint of Wainwright Amber Ale at Borrowdale Hotel. Average.
Paul Roddam climbed it on July 19th, 2025 [with] Barb, Bri [weather] Muggy
Andrew Gayne bagged it on May 15th, 2025 [from/via/route] From Honister Pass, Tin Slate Mine [with] Becky Gayne [weather] Really sunny & hot day. - Overnight stay at Ravenstone Manor near Bassenthwaite having walked Howtown to Glenridding the previous day, went up Grey Knotts then Brandreth before going up Green Gable & finally Grey Gable. Steepish scramble up & down Grey Gable. Visited Westmorland Cairn for amazing views
Geoff Hand hiked it on April 9th, 2025 [from/via/route] Went up from Honister Slate mine to clear this one off as I missed it last year when doing Gt Gable & Kirk Fell [with] Solo [weather] Lovely Sunny day - Done & dusted.Saw the RAF whizz down Honister path Awesome!
Tim Winn summited on October 27th, 2024 [from/via/route] Honister Slate Mine [with] Barry, Paul and Roger [weather] Dry.
Angeline Grieveson conquered it on June 27th, 2024 [with] Rick & Dotty & Anu
Simon Myerscough scaled on October 1st, 2023 [from/via/route] Honister Hause - National Trust car park [with] Joanne [weather] Drizzle to start with then clouds diminished -quite windy - Joanne slipped on rocks towards top of Green Gable so decide to cut short the walk - pushed for time too
Christine Shepherd walked up during July, 2003 [from/via/route] Honister Slate mine [with] Miriam, Andy and Ishmay aged 7 [weather] Sunny - Climbed again on a bright Autumn Day on 30.11.19. Made my third ascent on 8.6.23 using walk 417 in gorgeous sunshine with a pleasant breeze.
Ian Ashton climbed it on May 13th, 2023 [with] Jph
John Ramsbottom bagged it on April 10th, 2023 [from/via/route] walk c442 [with] Lola [weather] misty/rainy/windy - visibility bad
Richard Fulcher hiked it on April 3rd, 2023 [from/via/route] Parked in the NT car park at Honister Slate Mine & walked up the steep path to Grey Knotts. We then traversed over the rock strewn ridge to Brandreth & across Gillercomb Head to Green Gable. Just before reaching the top of GG I diverted left down the fell & across to Base Brown. I then returned by the same route & we carried on up to the summit of GG after having some lunch. After a slippery descent from GG to Windy Gap we then started the rocky ascent to Great Gable. We returned to WG by the same route & then descended down another scree strewn path to join the Moses Trod path before branching off towards the dismantled tramway at Honister. The rocky paths continued pretty much all the way back. [with] Jen [weather] Sunny, blue skies, cold at times when in exposed sections, very good visibility. - Be prepared for some climbing over rocks in certain stretches esp. up Great Gable.
Martyn Atherton summited on September 20th, 2020 [from/via/route] c338 Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, Great Gable, Kirk Fell [with] Martyn and Paul [weather] Cloudy at first then very warm & sunny - Great view of the mines
John Tippins conquered it on April 12th, 2012 - And again on 11th July 2022, with Afia & Farah.
Paul Macey scaled on June 6th, 2022 [from/via/route] C417 in revert [with] Luke [weather] Cloudy but cloud above summits
Michael Austin walked up on June 17th, 2021 [from/via/route] C417
Neil Heywood climbed it on May 29th, 2021 [from/via/route] honnister [with] logan Heywood [weather] Mixed
Kevin Foster bagged it on May 14th, 2021 [from/via/route] Honister Pass (slate mine) [with] By myself. [weather] Low clouds down on tops gradually lifting - No visibility from summit meaning Grey Knott lived up to it's name.
David Butterfield hiked it on May 26th, 2021 [from/via/route] Black Sail YHA - Biked from Bowness Knott.
Darren Wilson summited on September 20th, 2020 [from/via/route] Grey Knotts & Brandreth from Honister Slate Mine [with] Mike [weather] Beautiful day
Dave Eyes conquered it on August 20th, 2019 [from/via/route] Parked at Honister Slate Mine [with] Christine Eyes [weather] Cloudy with a few spots of rain - decent views
Richard Beardsley scaled on July 29th, 2020 [from/via/route] Route C442 from Honister Pass. [with] Gillian, Lisa, Andy, Abigail (10) and Jessica (7). [weather] Overcast all day with partial sunshine & windy on summits. - Parked at slate mine (£5) & commenced walk at 1100hrs. Followed the route guide throughout & summited Grey Knotts & Brandeth where we had lunch. Continued onto the tops of Green Gable & Great Gable along with other walkers taking advantage of a rain free day. After a careful descent from Great Gable we strolled back to the car park arriving back at 1730hrs. A thoroughly enjoyable day out with tired children.
Richard Marshall walked up on May 31st, 2020 [from/via/route] Great Gable from Seathwaite [with] Bo and Andy Pratt [weather] Sunny low wind & very hot. Middle of Pandemic
Andrew Johnson climbed it on November 8th, 2019 [from/via/route] Honister [with] Ted [weather] Cloudy
Richard Marchant bagged it on November 3rd, 1989 [from/via/route] Parked the car at Honiston Hause & took the path to Fleetwith around Brandreth & straight to Great Gable, the return route took me from here on to Green Gable-Brandreth & finally Grey Knotts & back to Honiston Hause. Spent most of the day in the clouds but still a awesome experience & great to be in the Lakes. [with] On my own [weather] A cold damp day with snow & ice on the tops & the cloud level down to the 600m mark - A 3 day trip to the Lakes on my own from Plymouth. I stopped in Windermere at a Navy Pal's Andrew (Ali) Mcgraw Mum & Dad's house.
Louis Smith hiked it on December 29th, 2018 [weather] mist
Jill Dean summited on September 22nd, 2018 [from/via/route] Honister pass [with] Grez, dexter & me!
Tony Rogerson conquered it on February 20th, 2018 [from/via/route] Seathwaite Gillercombe Base Brown Gillercombe Head Brandreth Grey Knotts [with] Floss [weather] Sunny
Christina Lander scaled on January 7th, 2018 [from/via/route] Honister Slate Mine - Moses Trod - Great Geable - Green Gable - Brandreth - Grey Knotts - Honister Slate Mine [with] Dick and Meg [weather] Beautiful sunny day
John Almond walked up on September 17th, 2017 [from/via/route] go4awalk c417 from Honister Slate Mine - GREY KNOTTS - Brandreth - Base Brown - Green Gable - Great Gable - Kirk Fell - Wainwright 116 [with] Solo [weather] Good, improving throughout the day. Light cloud on summit of Great Gable. - Horrible direct descent from Great Gable via scree/boulder field to Beck Head Tarn, not recommended! Probably better to descend via NW ridge to Beck Head as described in go4awalk walk c417 route description
Iain Jones climbed it on July 29th, 2017 [from/via/route] Honister Hause (The Wainwright 60 - Day 1 (Ennerdale)) [with] Graeme High
Nick Dobson bagged it on June 24th, 2017 [from/via/route] Honister pass car park to Brandreth then back over Grey Knotts [with] Margaret & Ralph [weather] Dry & breezy with cloud cover - A nice easy walk with no difficulty.
Chris Sheard hiked it on October 14th, 2004 [from/via/route] Across from Honister [with] George & Baz [weather] Wet horrid blustery & cloudy - Blacksail was a gem to aim for
Chris Bramley summited on March 26th, 2017 [from/via/route] honister [with] jacqui, blake and janet [weather] warm sunny skies
Elaine Evans conquered it on December 2nd, 2016 [from/via/route] From Honister slate mine to Grey Knotts then on to Brandreth. [with] Sue [weather] Fine, clear & mild. - Patchy areas of snow - deep in places.
Gillian Atkinson scaled on September 18th, 2016 [from/via/route] from honister [with] tony and alan club weekend
Mark Davidson walked up on October 17th, 2005 [with] Mike [weather] Quite good for October - some good views
Anthony Scott climbed it on October 10th, 2016 [from/via/route] Honister Hause [with] me [weather] Very sunny
Tracey Cowell bagged it on February 25th, 2016 [from/via/route] Honister mine/grey knotts/beandreth/green gable/moses trod [with] Sister [weather] Sun/cloud/frost in valleys/snow abive 800m
Victoria Bates hiked it on February 24th, 2016 [from/via/route] C417 [with] Mark [weather] Clear, snow showers, clear
Craig Steeland summited on September 27th, 2015 [from/via/route] From Honister Hause [with] Sue [weather] Sunny & clear
Harry Meijer conquered it on September 1st, 2015 [from/via/route] custom walk [with] The Lake District Walker
Steve Frank scaled on May 23rd, 2015 [from/via/route] Honister Pass
Claire Lloyd walked up on August 28th, 2004 [from/via/route] Honister Pass [with] Family
Kevin Parnham climbed it on December 30th, 2014 [from/via/route] From Honister Pass [with] Jo [weather] Cold & windy with intermittent low cloud - Steep pull up from the pass
David Noble bagged it on November 9th, 2014 [from/via/route] Honister Pass Seatoller [with] Chris [weather] Drizzlee - Remembrance Sunday
Ann Davis hiked it on October 18th, 2014 [from/via/route] honister mine [weather] grey wet windy
Phillip Bulley summited on September 8th, 2014 [from/via/route] Brandreth [with] Judith and Toby [weather] Sunny
Clive Ward conquered it on July 24th, 2014 [from/via/route] Gatesgarth car park, via Fleetwith Pike, Great Gable, Haystacks [with] Ian Jackson and 6 others - see Great Gable [weather] Hot, sunny
Keith Eastman scaled on June 14th, 2014 [from/via/route] c417
Derek Parkin walked up on March 18th, 2011 [from/via/route] honister slate mine [with] lynn parkin
Charlie Housley climbed it on May 29th, 2014 [from/via/route] From the slate mine car park at Honister. [with] Solo. [weather] Overcast but dry all day. A nice cooling breeze in places which was much needed as there was a bit of humidity in the air.
Graham Coules bagged it on May 21st, 2014 [from/via/route] Great Gable & Kirk Fell from Honister [with] Dale [weather] Overcast, sunny spells. Cloud approx 2600 ft clearing later - Slight deviation in mist on route down Great Gable ended up with scree slide on Kirk Fell side.
Joanne Mcgawley hiked it on February 16th, 2014 [with] Rich [weather] Deep snow & Windy
Wayne Baxter summited on August 25th, 2013 [from/via/route] Seatoller, Honister hause, Grey Knotts, Brandreth, green Cable, Base Brown & Seatoller [with] Sue [weather] Cloudy & warm
Gill Watson conquered it on April 16th, 2003 [with] All
Martin Leighfield scaled on September 10th, 2012 [from/via/route] Coast & Coast [with] Andrew Leighfield [weather] Wet (extremely)
Beth Webster walked up on June 19th, 2012 [with] Hannah Phillips
Dale Verrall climbed it on March 14th, 2011 [from/via/route] Honister Pass - Walk number C417 [with] Amber [weather] Blue skies
Raymond Barnett bagged it on January 1st, 2013 [from/via/route] Honister [with] myself [weather] cold snow mist & rain
Iain Taylor hiked it on March 14th, 2010 [from/via/route] Honister Pass Slate Mine (NY 22471 13550)
Darren Mortimer summited on September 29th, 2012 [from/via/route] Honister [with] Dermot Palmer [weather] wet & windy with a little bit of sun thrown in from time to time
Tony Aspden has conquered it [from/via/route] Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, Great Gable [with] Andy [weather] Fine & sunny
Stephen Littlewood scaled on May 16th, 2012 [from/via/route] Completed on Coast to Coast Walk - Fluke really as I took wrong turning so bagged this as I rejoined correct route...
Christine Knowles walked up on May 22nd, 2012 [from/via/route] From Seatoller via Seathwaite [with] Graham [weather] Lovely - very hot
Aileen Robinson climbed it on July 6th, 2010 [from/via/route] Honister Slate mine [with] School, Jude, Linda, Andy S [weather] Sunny
Stephen Byrne, Matthew Thomas, Patrick Rogozinski, Andrew Thornton, Melanie Dunn, Jenny Godfrey, Alex Jones, David Hallam, Maxine Down, Wendy Sockett, Angela Moroney, David Watson, Jonathan Tobin, Doug Jeffries, Trevor Longman, Paul Kendell, Jo Dixon, David Shaw, John Walter, David Laws, Carl Abbott, Louise Sandwith, Patricia Dilley, Simon Duerden, Colin Egan, Michael Nolan, Paul Booth, Adrian Roberts, Tracey Cordes, Linda Mckeogh, Trevor Williams, Paul Henderson, John Cuthbert, Phyllis Mcgibbon, Jacqui Smith, Patrick Buckland, Stephen Millington, Chris Bede, Rob Barklamb, Martyn Rouse, Jeanette Coward, Pete Howes, Ray O'hara, Libby Burns and Rebecca Hardy have all walked, climbed & bagged Grey Knotts.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 Grey Knotts
Looking NW from Grey Knotts above Honister Slate Mine to Fleetwith Pike (left) and Robinson, Littledale Edge, Hindscarth and Dale Head (Newlands) on the other side of the valley
Innominate Tarn with Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, Great Gable and Kirk Fell forming the backdrop
Robinson towering above Honister Pass from the lower slopes of Grey Knotts
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