About Bowland Knotts
Sitting on the northeastern edge of the Forest of Bowland, these gritstone outcrops provide a rugged skyline above the Cross o' Greet pass. The terrain is classic upland moorland, but the summit is defined by its shattered rock formations, offering a grandstand view of the Yorkshire Three Peaks across the valley.
Key Statistics
Rank
137th Highest in Peak District
Parent Range
The Peak District
Nearest Town
Keasden
Prominence
?
88
Geology
You are walking on layers of sandstone and siltstone called Brennand and Pendle Grit. These sturdy rocks form the rugged, craggy edges of the fell.
Classifications
Did You Know?
- •The name 'Knotts' is derived from the Old Norse 'knutr', meaning a rocky outcrop or crag; it perfectly describes the series of weathered gritstone tors that form the summit ridge.
- •The hill sits directly on the historic boundary between Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire, with the border line following the watershed through the highest rocks.
- •The summit offers a celebrated perspective of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, specifically providing one of the most impressive profiles of Ingleborough’s southern flanks across the Wenning valley.
- •Unlike the white carboniferous limestone found in the nearby Yorkshire Dales, Bowland Knotts is composed of Pendle Grit, a hard-wearing sandstone that has weathered into distinctive, blocky edges.
- •It offers a rare sense of total moorland isolation despite being remarkably accessible; you can transition from a parked car to a remote-feeling summit in less than fifteen minutes.
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SD727606
Latitude
54.0406°N
Longitude
2.4184°W