Walk 3667 - printer friendly version

Ennerdale Water Circular Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.1 miles / 11.5 km

Ascent - 600 feet / 182 metres

Grade - moderate

Start - OS grid reference NY086153
Lat 54.5247100 + Long -3.4137006
Postcode CA23 3AS (approx. location only)

This excellent walk in the West Lakes, Cumbria, completes a circuit of Ennerdale Water which is the most westerly of the Lake District's lakes. The route offers some wonderful views of the high fells including Red Pike, Great Gable and Pillar reflected in the still waters of the lake. The walk does include a section of rocky path along the southern shore of Ennerdale Water.

The start is the car park at Bleach Green (grid ref. NY086153) which lies a short distance east of the village of Ennerdale Bridge. After parking, exit the car park at the rear and follow the track down to the lake shore. Turn left across the weir and continue for 700 metres along a clear track to reach the shore. Continue along the track for a further 1.2 kilometres and follow the track as it bends sharp right (grid ref. NY100163) to re-join the shore. The route continues along the shore to reach Bowness (grid ref. NY107155) where you leave the track and follow a path along the edge of the lake with Bowness Knott carpark above on your left.

The path soon joins the main track up Ennerdale (grid ref. NY112151). Follow this broad track up the valley enjoying the scenery ahead. Reaching the end of the lake, you follow the River Liza (on your right) for a short distance to reach a junction of tracks (grid ref. NY131143). Turn left across the river and continue to the edge of a wooded area. Just before the tress turn right and follow the permissive path for 150 metres where you bear left to continue along a path which leads back to lake shore.

The onward path continues for three kilometres to reach a rocky section beneath Angler's Crag where care is needed especially after rain. Continue along the clear path to reach the weir encountered earlier in the walk. Lave the lake side path and follow the track back to the car park at Bleach Green.

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