Ennerdale – Ennerdale Water, the most westerly lake in the Lake
District, is a glacial lake, with a maximum depth of 150 feet, and at a mile
wide and 2½ miles long is one of the smallest lakes in the District. It is
surrounded by some of the highest and best-known fells in Cumbria including:
Great Gable, Green Gable, Brandreth, High Crag, Steeple and Pillar. Ennerdale
Water is fed by the River Liza and other streams, and in turn feeds the River
Ehen, which runs to the Irish Sea. Although the lake is natural, in 1902 a
shallow weir was added to what is probably a glacial moraine to establish the
current level. The lake and its valley have been designated a Site of Special
Scientific Interest and as such is obviously not as spoiled as the other National Park lakes. Steeple is properly an
Ennerdale fell, although most people who visit its summit tend to do so from
Wasdale. The suggested 10 mile RED
(with 2993ft of ascent) walk includes both Haycock's noble ridge (2615ft)
and a visit to the neighbouring Steeple's craggy summit (2687ft).
There is even, on offer, a possible BLUE
optional one mile walk extension (involving an extra 481ft of ascent) to include the summit of Pillar
(2927ft). The alternative suggested 8 mile
PURPLE route (with 2737ft of ascent) visits the summits of Great
Bourne (2021ft), Starling Dodd (2077ft) and Red Pike (2477ft) before dropping
back into the Ennerdale Valley.
The remoteness offered by a
8 mile (with 1504ft of ascent)
RED
walk around Ennerdale Water adds to the sense of peace and tranquillity and
makes it the most satisfying lakeside walk within the Lake District. Some of the
best views of Ennerdale Water and the long Ennerdale valley are obtained from
the top of Angler's Crag, a rocky foothill of Crag Fell which looms over the
southern shores. Despite its daunting craggy front, the top of Angler's Crag may
easily be reached by following a path which gradually ascends the grassy lower
slopes of the fell. Whilst the impressive summit of Bowness Knot looks almost impossible to climb, there
are easy approaches from both west and east and the spectacular views on offer
are certainly ample reward for the effort required to get there.