Ennerdale Water

Ennerdale Water is a lake in Cumbria, north-west England, and the westernmost body of water in the Lake District National Park. It fills a quiet valley far from the crowds of Windermere or Keswick, not far from the port of Whitehaven.

What kind of lake is it?

A glacier carved the basin. The lake runs roughly 2.5 miles (about 4 km) in length, between half a mile and a mile across, and reaches a maximum depth of 150 feet (around 46 m). Wikidata lists it as a reservoir. Its water leaves via the River Ehen, which heads for the Irish Sea coast.

What will you see?

The shoreline is mostly pebbles and shingle, with the high fells of the valley rising on the far side. Beyond the head of the lake the valley leads toward Pillar and the ridge of Red Pike and High Stile. Ennerdale has a reputation as one of the wilder corners of the region, and the valley is the focus of the Wild Ennerdale rewilding partnership, which aims to let natural processes shape the landscape.

How do you explore it?

The classic outing is the circuit of the lake from Bleach Green car park, a short way east of Ennerdale Bridge village (grid reference NY086153). Walking guides put the loop at about 7 miles (11 to 11.6 km) with around 600 ft of ascent, and roughly four hours of walking. It is graded easy to moderate.

The path along the south shore can be rocky, and getting past Anglers Crag involves a bit of hands-on scrambling, so wear proper walking boots. You can go either way round; some walkers choose anticlockwise so the gentler north shore comes last.

The national park notes that the Bleach Green route does not currently meet its "for all" accessibility standard, because grass is narrowing the path in places. If you use a wheelchair or pushchair, check the park's current guidance first.

Where do you park?

Bleach Green car park is free but small, with no toilets or other facilities. At weekends and during school holidays, arrive early. The village of Ennerdale Bridge is right nearby.

When should you go?

Late spring to early autumn gives the driest paths and the longest days. Lake District weather turns quickly, so pack a waterproof layer whatever the forecast says.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Ennerdale Water circuit take? About four hours at an easy pace, over roughly 7 miles.

Is parking free? Yes. Bleach Green car park costs nothing, but it has few spaces and no toilets.

Is the walk difficult? It is easy to moderate. The toughest part is the scramble at Anglers Crag.

Is the route suitable for reduced mobility? Not fully at the moment. Grass narrows the path in places, so check the national park's latest information before you travel.

Where is Ennerdale Water? In the western Lake District in Cumbria, England, close to Whitehaven.