There are two access points from the main road in Lakeside: one to the north, close to The Knoll Guest House and one to the south, where there is a kissing gate. A third entrance, with a step stile and bench, can be reached from the public footpath from Finsthwaite at the north-western corner of the wood.
Great Knott Wood has an extensive network of paths that link with footpaths in the surrounding area. These provide an excellent choice of circular walks which take in the villages of Lakeside and Finsthwaite. The paths within the wood are steep, generally stony and can be muddy in places in the winter. There are two routes waymarked by the Lake District National Park Authority: the permissive path to Pennington Lodge Tower or Finsthwaite Tower on Summer House Knot; and the permissive route where the wood is adjacent to the road.