The Bowland Knotts is found in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This underrated and less-explored vantage point is a superb place to enjoy sunrise any time of year. Accessing the Bowland Knotts is super easy, involving only a short walk from the roadside. In this guide, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the Bowland Knotts. In particular, we’ll cover information about the easy sunrise hike, where it’s located and how to get there. We’ll also show you some amazing aerial sunrise photos.
Table of Contents
What Is the Bowland Knotts?
The Bowland Knotts is a rocky outcrop in the Forest of Bowland AONB, which makes for a decent vantage point of the area. It’s located just a stone’s throw away from Keasden Road, which means it’s very easy to reach. In particular, the Bowland Knotts is a great place to watch sunrise. From the roadside, the rocky outcrop is only a short 700 metre walk away. So, you won’t have to set off too early to arrive at the Bowland Knotts, in time for sunrise.
Of course, there are longer hikes that you can do, which involve exploring the Bowland Knotts. You could get to the Bowland Knotts, starting from Clapham, Stocks Reservoir or from the Cross of Greet Bridge. One of the most well-known trail options which involves exploring the Bowland Knotts is a loop, which starts at the Cross of Greet Bridge and also takes in Raven’s Castle and Cloven Stones. But, we’ve heard this trail option, and other long hikes in this area, are usually extremely boggy – even during summer.
So, if you’re keen on an epic sunrise and want to avoid a boggy old walk, we recommend doing this short out and back walk to the Bowland Knotts from Keasden Road at the crack of dawn. So, where exactly in the United Kingdom is the Bowland Knotts located?
Read our guides about Stocks Reservoir, the Trough of Bowland and Clougha Pike
Is the Bowland Knotts Located in Lancashire or Yorkshire?
Well, both. Since 1974, the Bowland Knotts lies directly on the Lancashire/Yorkshire county border. Before this time, the rocky outcrop was located in the West Riding of Yorkshire. In 1974, the county of Lancashire gained all of the Forest of Bowland AONB area. This meant the Bowland Knotts no longer fell solely in the Yorkshire county.
Anyway, let’s look at some details for the short walk to the rocky outcrop below.
Bowland Knotts Trail Map and Route Details
- Type: Out & Back
- Distance: 1.6km
- Time: 1–1.5 hours
- Total ascent: 35m
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Trailhead: Keasden Road
- Map: Wikiloc
Sunrise at Bowland Knotts: Trail Description
The short walk to the Bowland Knotts from Keasden Road is very straightforward. At the trailhead, you’ll find some roadside parking. There’s enough space for around half a dozen cars or so. From there, you’ll find a well-defined trail, leading into the moorland. You’ll encounter a small amount of elevation gain as you reach the summit and trig point of Bowland Knotts.
Personally, Beck and I experienced a complete white-out as low-lying mist consumed our views. Thankfully, as the sun emerged, the low-lying mist began to clear and we experienced an unforgettable sunrise. Certainly, sunrise at the Bowland Knotts ranks as one of the best sunrises you can enjoy in the Forest of Bowland AONB.
After witnessing the amazing glow of sunrise, you’ll retrace your steps, heading northwards to finish the walk. Beck and I had a few more walks planned that day, so we dabbled in a bit of speed hiking on our return walk to the car.
How to Get to the Bowland Knotts
The simplest and quickest way to get to the trailhead for this walk is to drive there yourself. We parked for free here on the side of Keasden Road. If you don’t have your own set of wheels, we recommend hiring a car.
Car Hire
If you don’t have your own car, you should hire one using Discover Cars. Personally, we use Discover Cars and highly recommend them for finding your ideal car hire at an affordable price. Booking online is super easy and the free cancellation policy is great.
To find out more about renting a car with Discover Cars, read our Discover Cars review and Discover Cars Insurance review.
As far as we’re aware, it isn’t possible to reach Bowland Knotts using public transport. If you don’t have a car or don’t want to hire one, it’s possible to get a train from Lancaster or Preston to Clapham. From there, it’s around a 10km walk, mostly along Keasden Road, to the trailhead. To be honest, this doesn’t sound like a great option. Certainly, if you want to get to Bowland Knotts, particularly for sunrise, driving there yourself is the logical choice.
Other Things to Look Out For Nearby
There are many other great things to do in the Forest of Bowland AONB nearby the Bowland Knotts. Just down the road, you’ll find the lovely Stocks Reservoir and the Gisburn Forest. Not far from there, you’ll find the quaint village of Slaidburn. Why not stop in at the Riverbank Tea Rooms for a cup of tea and a cake? Near Slaidburn, you’ll find the charming Dunsop Bridge, which leads to the scenic Trough of Bowland drive.
Read more: The 13 Best Forest of Bowland Walks
Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs
If you’re a keen cyclist, you’ll find a Bowland Knotts cycling route listed in the book, Another 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs. This book is a follow-up of the original 100 Greatest Cycling Climbs book, also known as the Top 100 climbs or 100 greatest climbs. These books detail the best cycling routes in the UK, including all of the nitty-gritty details such as average gradients and route directions.
DJI Air 2S
Capture breathtaking aerial photography and videography with the DJI Air 2S. The DJI Air 2S Fly More Combo comes with all of the necessary accessories such as the remote controller, spare batteries and battery charger.
Hiking Essentials
These are some of our hiking gear essentials for this walk.
Osprey Skarab 30
The Osprey Skarab 30 is our go-to hiking backpack for day hikes. This well-designed unisex backpack is comfortable and spacious, so you’ll have plenty of space to pack everything without feeling the strain on your upper back.
Osprey Ultralight Raincover
A waterproof backpack cover is an absolute must when you’re adventuring outdoors. The Osprey Ultralight Raincover Medium is a high-quality waterproof cover that’ll keep your backpack bone dry.
GRAYL Reusable Water Bottle
The GRAYL GeoPress is the best water filter bottle that allows you to purify 710mL (12 ounces) of water. This bottle will make water safe to drink wherever you’re hiking.
BUFF Original Ecostretch
The BUFF Original Ecostretch is a great option when it comes to multifunctional headwear. We use the Ecostretch as a neck gaiter to keep the sun off our necks and it helps us keep warm in cooler climates.
Sony Cybershot RX100 VII
Capture epic photos and videos with the Sony Cybershot RX100 VII. This is hands-down the best compact camera. We love using this simple point-and-shoot camera when we’re hiking as it’s lightweight and durable.
To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.
Bonus Tips
- Visit for sunset: we’ve heard a sunset at the Bowland Knotts is equally as impressive as a sunrise.
- Explore the less explored: you won’t find many hiking reviews online about this short walk. Sometimes, it’s best to explore the lesser-trodden trails for a real adventure.
- Make a day of it: there are plenty of nice things to do and see in the Forest of Bowland AONB. After doing this sunrise walk, make sure to check out more of this beautiful area.
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