Introduction
Carling Knott sits at the north-eastern end of one of the ridges that run off Blake Fell, and looms over the southern shore of Loweswater, from where the ridge behind is hidden and the Knott appears to be an entirely separate fell.
The ridge has two summits. The highest point is above a small line of crags half way along the ridge, but the most interesting is at the north-eastern end of the ridge, overlooking Loweswater. The best views come from the top of the steep northern slope rather than the summit itself, which sits a bit back from the edge. This is a super viewpoint for Loweswater, both for the lake to the north and the scattered village to the east. The view south and west is rather limited, with the great bulk of Blake Fell blocking distant views, but the view east is splendid
Statistics
Grid Reference of Summit: NY 120 206
Height: 519m
Grid Reference of highest point on ridge: NY 117 203
Height of highest point on ridge: 544m
Map
Routes of Ascent
Carling Knott can be climbed from the west or the north - from the west along the ridge from Blake Fell and from the north up the slopes from the valley of Holme Beck.
The south and east faces are rather too steep for walkers - the south-east face is especially steep and rough. I've made ut up the north-eastern face, overlooking Loweswater, but I wouldn't recommend it!
Walks
We have two walks that pass Carling Knott - our walk around the south side of Loweswater uses the terrace path while our ascent of Gavel Fell runs up the High Nook valley
The Summit
The top of Carling Knott is a flat grassy pasture, topped with a small cairn.
Streams and Tarns
Holme Beck runs along the north-western flank of the fell, while Highnook Beck forms the south-eastern boundary. The fell also has a footing on Dub Beck, between the end of Loweswater and the junction with High Nook Beck.
The southern boundary is formed by a nameless beck that runs down the valley between Blake Fell and Carling Knott.
Carling Knott overlooks the very attractive High Nook Tarn, although technically that tarn belongs entirely to Gavel Fell.
The fell also has a very attractive footing on the south shore of Loweswater.
Other Features
An excellent terrace track runs along the slopes of Carling Knott, at the top of Holme Wood. This track, which resembles a mine road or other track, runs all the way along the steep slope overlooking Loweswater but its origin and history is unclear. It is sometimes called a corpse road, but this appears not to have been the case. Perhaps more likely is a connection to the quarries on Burnbank Fell.
The southern end of Holme Wood (on the north-eastern slope of the fell) has been planted with a variety of trees and at the right time of year the different leaves form the shape of the head of a pheasant.