The easiest ascent of Knott Rigg is started from the car park at Newlands Hause (grid reference ). This gives the advantage of starting at a height of 333 metres, giving an easy vertical ascent of just over 200 metres. An alternative start can be made from further down the Newlands valley, either at Keskadale Farm or Rigg Beck. The latter route goes over Ard Crags first before continuing to Knott Rigg.