Birk Knott

Hill, Mountain in Westmorland South Lakeland

England

Birk Knott

ATV tracks, Roundthwaite Common The ridge north of Borrowdale. — ATV tracks, Roundthwaite Common Credit: Richard Webb

Birk Knott is a prominent hill located in Westmorland, a county in the North West of England. With an elevation of approximately 312 meters (1,024 feet), it stands as one of the many stunning peaks in the region. Birk Knott is situated within the stunning landscape of the Lake District National Park, known for its breathtaking scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities.

This hill offers visitors and hikers the chance to experience the natural beauty of the area. Its slopes are covered with verdant grass, and the summit provides panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. On clear days, it is possible to see the vast expanse of the Lake District, including the stunning lakes and rolling hills.

Birk Knott is a popular spot for outdoor enthusiasts, attracting both locals and tourists alike. The hill provides an ideal location for hiking, with various routes and trails to suit different levels of experience. As visitors ascend the hill, they will be treated to stunning vistas, including picturesque villages, lush valleys, and the majestic peaks of the Lake District.

Nature enthusiasts will also appreciate the diverse wildlife that inhabits the area surrounding Birk Knott. The hill is home to a variety of bird species, including the skylark and meadow pipit. It is not uncommon to spot other wildlife such as rabbits, hares, and even deer.

Birk Knott offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life, providing an opportunity for visitors to connect with nature and enjoy the natural wonders of the Lake District.

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Birk Knott Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.399487/-2.6152598 or Grid Reference NY6000. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

ATV tracks, Roundthwaite Common

The ridge north of Borrowdale.

Richard Webb

Casterfell Hill

Richard Webb

Frost, Roundthwaite

A track to or from Borrowdale.

Richard Webb

Dripping hawthorn

Drizzly days when the water runs off the track and drips from the trees are also ideal for greying out the background and showing the silhouette of a bare tree. Of several Hawthorns and Ash trees along the way, this one was the most aesthetically pleasing in its context, which is the bottom end of Barrowdale, a valley I've visited twice to look at the Beck, but haven't yet managed to paddle it. At this point it is some way below the path (which is a public bridleway at this point) and barely visible, but a lack of noise suggests nothing too serious in the way of rapids lie hidden down there.

Andy Waddington

The start of the fun, Borrow Beck

Down to about the limit of this view, Borrow Beck rarely rises above grade 2, but here the valley starts to entrench a little and beck becomes steeper and more sporting at grade 3 with perhaps the odd bit of 4. To paddle the full trip from High Borrow Bridge (by the A6 - involving a very long road shuttle compared with the length of the paddle) would need quite a bit more water than this as the channel is wider and shallower, but from here, for 2½ kilometres down to a take-out close to the confluence with the River Lune, you could just about bounce down at this level. With some proper rain rather than today's half-hearted drizzle, it looks like being a worthwhile trip and the first kilometre of the track is public road, making a carry-in with the boat over your shoulder for the kilometre or so to the bridge here not entirely unreasonable. The course from here is somewhat tree-lined, however, so the usual caveats about running blind round bends apply, especially after the sort of stormy winter we've just had.

Andy Waddington

Tree guards in position across Borrow Beck

Mick Garratt

M6 northbound

Dave Thompson

Tracks on Jeffrey's Mount

View along the ridge towards Casterfell Hill.

Richard Webb

South side of Jeffrey's Mount

Looking into Borrowdale.

Richard Webb

South side of Jeffrey's Mount

View towards Casterfell Hill on the ridge north of Borrowdale.

Richard Webb

Temperature inversion in Lunedale

The fog has almost evaporated at this point but was still thick over Morecambe Bay and well to the south. The West Coast Main Line and M6 squeeze through the westernmost of the Yorkshire Dales, a narrow corridor between the Lake District National Park (foreground) and the Yorkshire Dales National Park over the river.

Richard Webb

View west to Borrowdale

As seen from the M6

Eirian Evans

The final reach of Borrow Beck

The A685 bridge (from which this shot was taken) is the landmark for taking out of Borrow Beck, whether you've paddled from High Borrow Bridge by the A6 (involving a remarkably long shuttle by car for the length of the trip) or you've driven a kilometre up the valley and carried in to do just the final and most interesting 2½ kilometres (for which there is probably just about enough water seen here, unlike the upper section which definitely needs more rain). The (topographical) right bank is the right bank to egress, whether just here, or at Low Borrow Bridge just before the confluence with the River Lune. As always with a wooded valley, and especially after a stormy winter such as we have just had, watch out for fallen trees.

Andy Waddington