Height: 549 metres / 1801 feet Grid reference: NY 23193 02369 Category: The Southern Fells

Border End and Hard Knott across Eskdale

Angus and Connie on Hard Knott

Hard Knott from the Duddon Valley
Height: 549 metres / 1801 feet Grid reference: NY 23193 02369 Category: The Southern Fells
Border End and Hard Knott across Eskdale
Angus and Connie on Hard Knott
Hard Knott from the Duddon Valley
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 14:40
Weather: Sunny. 8°C
Sunshine was all around today and it was really quite warm and pleasant too. Today I was with Dougal alone, even on this relatively short and easy walk, as I have retired Casper from fell walking. His age has caught up with him now and he can no longer manage to wander the fells with us – sad but true. He will be retiring in comfort though with the knowledge he has led a great life getting to places other dogs can only dream of; we have spent many happy hours together. In the future I think he will be joining the Love the Lakes team as Chief Shop Dog so I think he will be regaling all and sundry with his tales from the fells should he be asked!
What a beautiful day and warm enough for shirt sleeves (for a while anyway as once over the top of Border End there was an icy wind blowing down the valley so fleece, hat and gloves were required!).
Scafell Pike, Broad Crag and Ill Crag with the lower subsidiary summit of Scafell Pike, Pen, foremost.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 14:30
Weather: Warm and sunny. 14C
Shorts and t-shirt was the attire for today as there was a bit of sunshine on my back and a return to warm weather – lovely it was too and what fantastic views this afternoon.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 13:35
Weather: Hot, clear. 20C
What a change in the weather over this weekend, it only seems like minutes ago I was dressed in full winter gear but today it was absolutely boiling, shorts and tee shirt was the order of the day. Dougal and Casper are still sporting their winter attire, but not for much longer I reckon – any small bog, any little droplet of moisture up there today and they were in it. Sean Scissorhands is on the prowl…
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour Start Time: 13:35
Weather: Sunny and bright. 9C
I just had time to squeeze a quick walk in sunny conditions this afternoon up to Hard Knott. I love the view to the back of the Scafells from here and it was lovely and quiet up there today.
Walked on
Start point: Cockley Beck (NY 246 017)
Cockley Beck – Moasdale – Hard Knott – Cockley Beck
Distance: 3.9 miles Total Ascent: 319 metres Time Taken: 2 hours
Weather: Cold and overcast. 0ºC
It was even colder today than yesterday, mainly because the sun never came out at all so temperatures struggled to get above freezing. Up on the top of Hard Knott there was a strong icy blast and definitely more than a hint of more snow to come.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 1 hour
Weather: Overcast with showers. 12C.
I had an early walk this morning to clear the cobwebs after a break in sunnier climes; I think Casper was desperate to get out on the fells after his enforced holiday so we were going out whatever the weather. Unfortunately it wasn’t so great with rain and cold blowing in but would I rather be abroad in 20C warmer sunshine, sipping a glass of red wine and having a thoroughly relaxing time with my family? Er…yes, of course I would – pass me another glass!
...and a look the other way into Upper Eskdale, the Scafells obscured by the low cloud this morning.
Looking in the opposite direction into Mosedale - Esk Pike, Bowfell and Crinkle Crags not in view today.
The top of Hardknott Pass. I mentioned we had been in sunnier parts of the world and we did make a couple of mountain visits...
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Eskdale Needle – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.6 miles Total Ascent: 188 metres Time Taken: 45 minutes
Weather: Cold and clear. 2ºC.
The blue skies returned today and once again there was fabulous winter clarity for a short walk up to Hard Knott from the top of the pass, taking in Border End and Eskdale Needle. The hardest part once more was actually the road journey up to the pass as the road was icy and one or two cars had failed in their mission to get to the top. Not to worry, we managed it and were rewarded with some of the finest views the Lake District has to offer.
What a fantastic view of Scafell Pike above Great Moss today with Broad Crag and Ill Crag beyond the spur of Pen.
Scafell and Mickledore. I've never noticed that ridge in the foreground before, but it looks interesting and may be worthy of a look sometime.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass (NY 231 014)
Hardknott Pass – Hard Knott – Lingcove Beck – Scar Lathing – Great Moss – Pen – Scafell Pike – Broadcrag Tarn – Cam Spout – Great Moss – Lingcove Beck – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 9.3 miles Total Ascent: 1240 metres Time Taken: 5 hours 45 minutes
Weather: Overcast. 17ºC.
The weather certainly didn’t turn out as I expected with it being rather grey and I didn’t really know which route I would take until I did it. I must say it took longer than I thought and it was pretty arduous going at times over boggy ground coupled with a steep ascent and descent. It was still enjoyable though – this is my favourite area of all.
Casper plans the route - there is a steep descent to cross Lingcove Beck then a steep climb again over the knolls in the middle distance.
The cloud is clearing from Scafell Pike now. The peak to the right of Esk Buttress is Pen. Now, should I climb Pen or climb Little Narrowcove? In the end I decided on Pen and climbed following the gill to the left of Esk Buttress - which was steep to say the least!
Broad Stand from Broadcrag Tarn - the highest tarn in the Lake District at 827m according to Wainwright and Birkett...but my mapping software shows Foxes tarn at 837m and Crinkle Crags Tarn (near the summit of Long Top, un-named on the OS map) at 854m. Now, should I climb Lord's Rake and climb Scafell or descend Cam Spout? Oops, look at the time - lets go!
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Hard Knott – Border End – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour
Weather: Clear. 5oC.
Today I didn’t have such a long walk, it was rather an appreciation of the surroundings and a magnificent sunset over what must be one of the finest views from any fell, overlooking Eskdale to the Scafells. The views in the photos may all be quite similar, but the ever changing light certainly made them seem a bit different and added a lovely hue to the surroundings.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours
Weather: Sunny. 17oC.
It was bright and sunny for our early start this morning for this relatively easy climb to Hard Knott from the top of Hardknott Pass. This walk offers superb views to the Scafells and Upper Eskdale and from here virtually the whole of the Scafell walk I completed earlier this year can be viewed from this lofty position. Getting out early has its advantages, namely clearer skies with less haze and deserted fell tops. For added interest, Connie also hunted out the Geocache lying near the summit. It’s hard to resist hidden treasure when you are 6!
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours
Weather: Clear above the clouds. 4oC.
After the deluge of last week, the weather has taken a turn for the better – at least it has if you can get above the fog that hangs in the lower parts. We had a walk to Hard Knott this morning to see if we could do just that and I think we just timed it right to arrive at the top of Border End. Connie was thrilled to see a great inversion and Brocken Spectres, in fact she classed it as the best walk she had ever done, though I’m sure she has said that before!
On the drive to Hard Knott, it was evident that some of the fog was very low lying with the cold temperatures so the first few shots are taken from car stops.
When we set off for Border End, it was really cold in the mist. We wondered whether we would get high enough to get above the cloud - it was touch and go...
Here on the summit of Border End there was an eerie light, as though we were on the very edge of the mist.
Suddenly...as if by magic - the parting of the clouds. There is a Brocken Spectre bottom left, just about visible.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes
Weather: Clear. 20oC.
It was a lovely morning and a welcome sight after the miserable rain of yesterday. We had a walk to Border End and Hard Knott which give fine views of Eskdale and the Scafells. Angus and Casper had a swim in one or two of the mountain tarns and after a visit to the Roman fort, another swim (or bath!) in the River Duddon on the way home.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Eskdale Needle – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 250 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes
Weather: Sunny and warm. 12oC.
It was another day of blue sky and sunshine today and things are certainly starting to warm up and turn green here. It is a short walk from the Hardknott Pass summit – supposedly the steepest road in England – to Border End and Hard Knott for some of the finest views to be had anywhere in the Lake District. Casper certainly seems to be getting into the groove and enjoying roaming the fells.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End – Hard Knott – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 1.5 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours
Weather: Warm with a breeze. 18°C.
Today’s walk was up to Hard Knott via Border End from the summit of Hardknott Pass; a short and sharp ascent over some boggy ground. The weather steadily improved until the clouds completely lifted from nearly all the high fells.
Walked on
Start point: Hardknott Pass summit (NY 230 014)
Hardknott Pass – Border End (326) – Hard Knott (327) – Eskdale Needle – Yew Bank (328) – Throstlehow Crag (329) –Scar Lathing (330) – High Scarth (331) – Silverybield (332) – Scale Bridge – Taw House – Brotherilkeld – Hardknott Castle Roman Fort – Hardknott Pass
Distance: 9.7 miles Total Ascent: 1940 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 35 minutes
Weather: Snow, rain, sleet, wind! 5oC.
Today’s walk is a round of Upper Eskdale, one of the wildest and best valleys in the Lake District. At the head of Eskdale lie the ‘heads of state’ of English mountains, namely Scafell Pike, Sca Fell, Esk Pike and Bow Fell and this area offers some of the finest views anywhere.
Once again, it seems winter has returned with snow showers present throughout the walk and fresh snow on top of the high fells.
Approaching Hard Knott. The many electric fences in this area (one can be seen to the right) certainly made Angus squeak when he 'got it wrong'.
Walked on
Hard Knott Roman Fort – Hard Knott (25) – Hard Knott Pass
The next walk was 27th May 2003 as follows:
Hartsop – Hayeswater – The Knott (26) – Rampsgill Head (27) – High Raise (28) – Kidsty Pike (29) – High Street (30) – Thornthwaite Crag (31) – Gray Crag (32) – Hartsop