ENNERDALE WATER - A beautiful day at the most westerly lake in the Lake District, Cumbria, England

Due to the remote location of Ennerdale Water, this is one of the few lakes in the Lake District which is relatively quite even in the tourist peak season. In addition, both car parks that are on the shores of the lake offer a rare gift of free car parking! If walking the Wainwrights coast to coast, you will walk alongside this lake, view some of the challenges you will encounter.

We start at the Bleach Green car park which is to the east of Ennerdale Bridge village. From here we follow the outflow river for just a short distance to reach the shores of Ennerdale Water.

Initially, we are stood facing the weir that was built in 1903 to ensure a constant level of water in the lake. Then we head along the shore line towards Anglers Crag. Towards Anglers Crag there are two routes, the first mounts the very top of Anglers Crag whilst the route which is more often used hugs the shore line but involves a degree of scrabbling.

To aid the viewer in what might be the best route to take for their possible journey I review both paths and share the views and challenges from both. Initially, it is gaining the heights of Anglers Crag and then secondly we take on the challenge of the scrabble along the shore line. This info will be especially helpful if you are completing Wainwrights Coast to Coast.

The route on the shore line also passes Robin Hood's Chair, which we use to take in the full panoramic views of Ennerdale Water. Other famed people to visit Ennerdale Water include Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton who were engaged to be married in this beautiful landscape.

Eventually, we get to the end of the lake and pass over the concrete bridge before taking the forest road which begins the return journey. On this part of the journey which is significantly easier underfoot, we note the placement of helpful picnic tables and other suitable places for picnics. In challenging weather this side of the lake offers 'good' in comparative terms, an alternative route for hikers walking Wainwrights Coast to Coast. Also, on this shore line about half way down we come across the alternative car park at Bowness Knott which also happens to offer free parking.

After the car park, we head away from the road to follow there footpath that completes the journey back to our original start point.