Peak District
Bowland Knotts
431M
1413FT
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
Prominence
?
88
Nearest Town
Keasden
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
Find It
OS Grid Reference
SD727606
Latitude
54.0406°N
Longitude
2.4184°W
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.