Hard Knott

This article is about the mountain. For the road, see Hardknott Pass. For the fort, see Hardknott Roman Fort.

Hard Knott
Looking to the summit of Hard Knott, with Crinkle Crags and Bowfell behind.
Highest point
Elevation	549 m (1,801 ft)
Prominence	154 m (505 ft)
Parent peak	Scafell Pike
Listing	Marilyn, Wainwright
Coordinates	54°24′37″N 3°11′11″W
Geography
Hard Knott Location in the Lake District Hard Knott Location in Copeland Borough
Location	Cumbria, England
Parent range	Lake District, Southern Fells
OS grid	NY231023
Topo map	OS Landrangers 89, 90, Explorer OL6

Hard Knott is a fell in the English Lake District, at the head of Eskdale.

The northern and western slopes of Hard Knott are in the civil parish of Eskdale, while the southern and eastern slopes are in the civil parish of Ulpha. Both are in the unitary authority area of Cumberland and the ceremonial county of Cumbria.

Geology

Rhyolitic lava-like tuff of the Bad Step Tuff forms the summit rocks with the dacitic lapilli-tuffs of the Lincomb Tarns Formation to the north west. Border end shows outcropping plagioclase-phyric andesite lavas of the Birker Fell Formation.

Summit

Hard Knott reaches a height of 549 metres (1,801 ft), the summit knoll bearing a cairn. There are other named tops on the ridge in addition to the summit, with Yew Bank to the north and Border End to the south. Hard Knott is famous for its superb view of the Scafell massif to the north, while Harter Fell dominates the vista to the south. For a fabulous view of Eskdale it is recommended that the walker visits Border End half a mile to the south of the main summit.

Ascents

The fell is usually climbed from the top of the Hardknott Pass where there are several parking spaces. It is also possible to begin the ascent from the foot of the pass in Eskdale, although this will triple the length of the walk and the height gained. However, the best plan is probably to climb Hard Knott in conjunction with the neighbouring fell of Harter Fell making a horseshoe walk starting and finishing in Eskdale. From the top of the pass it is a short ascent to the fell summit following an electric fence that skirts to the right of the dangerous looking Raven Crag and takes the walker to the summit in a short time. Other possible routes include a pathless ascent from the Esk via The Steeple, a circuitous walk via the head of Moasdale and an ascent of the eastern flanks via Dod Pike.

References

Panorama shot from the summit of Hard Knott showing from left to right the fells of Slight Side, Scafell, Scafell Pike, Great End, Esk Pike, Bow Fell and Crinkle Crags.