Ennerdale Water – A WALK AROUND ONE OF THE QUIETEST & WILDEST LAKES

The Ennerdale Water circular walk is a superb low-level walk in the Lake District if you want spectacular untouched Lake District scenery without having to climb a fell. Starting from Bleach Green Car Park, this roughly 7-mile walk around Ennerdale Water takes you right around one of the quietest and wildest-feeling lakes in the Lake District.

What makes this Ennerdale walk particularly special, though, is the location. There isn’t a public road running alongside the length of the lake, and the valley feels noticeably quieter and wilder than many of the Lake District’s better-known destinations.

If you’re looking for a Lake District circular walk without too much climbing, but still want a bit of adventure and some fantastic mountain scenery, walking around Ennerdale Water is an excellent choice.

ENNERDALE WATER CIRCULAR WALK MAP

The route starts by following the Coast to Coast path along the southern shore of Ennerdale Water, where the walking is surprisingly rugged in places. The most challenging section comes around Robin Hood’s Chair and Angler’s Crag, where the path becomes rocky and you’ll need to use your hands in places to negotiate the trickier sections.

After reaching the far end of Ennerdale Water, the route crosses the River Liza before returning along the northern side of the lake. This second half is much easier underfoot, following a flatter and more defined track back towards Bleach Green.

PARKING FOR THIS ENNERDALE WATER WALK

The best place to start your Ennerdale Water circular walk is Bleach Green Car Park, situated near the western end of the lake. It’s free (a rarity!), wheras the only other car park on Ennerdale Water is the one at Bowness Knott which si a pay & Display one.

From the car park at Bleach Green it’s only a short walk before Ennerdale Water comes into view, with the mountains at the head of the valley providing a fantastic backdrop.

I recommend walking the route clockwise, tackling the rougher southern shoreline first before enjoying the easier return along the northern side.

Walking Around Ennerdale Water

One of the best things about walking around Ennerdale Water is how quickly you feel like you’ve escaped into the mountains.

Unlike some of the more developed lakes in the Lake District, there isn’t a road following the shoreline. Once you’re away from Bleach Green, the landscape becomes dominated by water, woodland and mountains.

The southern section also forms part of the famous Coast to Coast walk, which travels from St Bees on the Cumbrian coast all the way to Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire.

Follow this path eastwards along the shore towards Angler’s Crag. 

The Tricky Section at Robin Hood’s Chair Angler’s Crag

This is where the walk becomes more interesting.

Around Robin Hood’s Chair and Angler’s Crag, the shoreline becomes considerably rockier and rougher underfoot.

There are places where you’ll need to pick your way carefully across the rocks and occasionally use your hands for balance. It’s not particularly technical, but it’s definitely more adventurous than you might expect from a walk around a lake.

Take your time here, particularly if the rocks are wet.

Once you’ve negotiated this section, the walking gradually becomes easier as you continue towards the eastern end of Ennerdale Water.

Crossing the River Liza

At the head of Ennerdale Water you’ll reach the River Liza, which flows down through the remote upper Ennerdale valley and into the lake.

This is one of my favourite parts of the walk.

Looking further into the valley gives you a real sense of how wild Ennerdale is, with forest and mountains stretching away towards the heart of the Lake District.

After crossing the River Liza, begin the return journey along the northern side of Ennerdale Water.

An Easier Walk Back to Bleach Green

The contrast between the two sides of the lake is quite noticeable.

After the rougher Coast to Coast path on the southern shore, the northern side of Ennerdale Water is much flatter and easier to follow.

The wider and more defined tracks make for quick progress, while also giving you plenty of opportunities to look back across the lake towards the route you’ve just walked.

Continue west along the northern shore before eventually looping around the end of Ennerdale Water and returning to Bleach Green Car Park.

Crossing the River Liza

At the head of Ennerdale Water you’ll reach the River Liza, which flows down through the remote upper Ennerdale valley and into the lake.

This is one of my favourite parts of the walk.

Looking further into the valley gives you a real sense of how wild Ennerdale is, with forest and mountains stretching away towards the heart of the Lake District.

After crossing the River Liza, begin the return journey along the northern side of Ennerdale Water.

An Easier Walk Back to Bleach Green

The contrast between the two sides of the lake is quite noticeable.

After the rougher Coast to Coast path on the southern shore, the northern side of Ennerdale Water is much flatter and easier to follow.

The wider and more defined tracks make for quick progress, while also giving you plenty of opportunities to look back across the lake towards the route you’ve just walked.

Continue west along the northern shore before eventually looping around the end of Ennerdale Water and returning to Bleach Green Car Park.

Is the Ennerdale Water Circular Walk Difficult?

I’d rate the Ennerdale Water circular walk as moderate rather than easy.

There’s very little significant climbing, so from a fitness point of view it’s considerably easier than climbing one of the surrounding Lake District fells.

The difficulty comes from the terrain.

The southern shore around Angler’s Crag is rocky, uneven and potentially slippery. Some people may find this section challenging, particularly in poor weather.

If you’re reasonably fit, comfortable walking over rocky terrain and have suitable footwear, however, it adds an enjoyable bit of adventure to the route.

Why Ennerdale is One of the Lake District’s Hidden Gems

Ennerdale sometimes feels like the forgotten corner of the Lake District – and that’s exactly why I like it.

While thousands of visitors head towards places such as Windermere, Keswick, Ambleside and Ullswater, Ennerdale feels noticeably quieter.

There are no tourist-filled towns beside the lake and no continuous public road following the valley. Instead, the landscape is dominated by mountains, woodland, water and the River Liza.

The result is a part of the Lake District that still feels genuinely wild.

And you don’t necessarily need to climb the surrounding mountains to appreciate it.

This 7-mile circular walk around Ennerdale Water gives you a little bit of everything: peaceful lakeside walking, woodland, rugged rocky paths, mountain views, the River Liza and a taste of the Coast to Coast walk.

For me, it’s one of the best low-level circular walks in the Lake District and a great option when you want spectacular scenery without spending the entire day climbing mountains.

Food & Drink After the Walk – The Gather at Ennerdale Bridge

If you’ve worked up an appetite walking around Ennerdale Water, The Gather at Ennerdale Bridge is a great place to stop for something to eat or drink afterwards.

Located in the nearby village of Ennerdale Bridge, The Gather is a community-owned and run café and local hub with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. It’s particularly popular with walkers and visitors exploring Ennerdale, including those tackling the Coast to Coast walk.

It’s a handy place to call in for a coffee, cake or something more substantial after completing the Ennerdale Water circular walk, and its community focus fits perfectly with the quieter, less commercial character of the Ennerdale valley.

Ennerdale Bridge itself is only a short drive from Bleach Green Car Park, so it’s an easy addition to your day rather than having to travel back towards one of the busier Lake District towns.

I’d recommend checking The Gather’s current opening hours before your walk, particularly if you’re visiting outside the main summer season.