Ennerdale
Even by Lake District standards, Ennerdale is remote. It is a place of seclusion and tranquility at the very west of the Lake District, with the only lake to have no road running alongside it. It also has one of the largest forests in Cumbria and very few people.
There are walks to suit all tastes in Ennerdale, from gentle strolls along the lake to mountain hikes giving you wonderful views of Ennerdale Water and Buttermere. Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast Walk goes through the village.
There are a number of climbs in Ennerdale, most of them on Pillar Rock, on the rugged north face of Pillar Mountain. This crag offers superb rock climbs at all levels and was one of the first venues for pioneering rock climbers in the Lakes.
There are many forest roads that are open to the public and mountain biking is a popular pursuit. Check out the Mountain Bike Cumbria website for routes. Ennerdale is at the end of the West Cumbria Cycle Path, a 10 mile path from Whitehaven and a great way to explore Cumbria.
Ennerdale Water is both a reservoir and a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its lakeshore habitats. There is lots of wildlife to be seen on its shores, including red squirrels. For fishing, contact the Wath Brow & Ennerdale Angling Club 01946 84703.
Bradley’s Riding Centre at nearby Kinniside offers pony trekking for all abilities and ages.
The nearest village, Ennerdale Bridge, has a church, St Mary’s, built on the site of a medieval chapel in the 19th century and two pubs, both serving good food and real ales.
Just off the fell road from Ennerdale Bridge to Calder Bridge is the Kinniside Stone Circle, a perfect stone circle made of 11 stones.
Despite its quietness, Ennerdale is just a few miles away from the other attractions that the Lake District has to offer.
Whitehaven harbour at night
The market towns of Cockermouth and Whitehaven are only a short distance away and the ever-popular Keswick is only half an hour's drive.
The historic village of St Bees is also close at hand, with a long pebble and sand beach, its famous cliffs with thousands of nesting sea birds and a 12th century Benedictine priory.
Useful Links for Ennerdale
- For information on the wild Ennerdale partnership, please visit www.wildennerdale.co.uk
- If you would like to spend a day of guided climbing, canoeing, ghyll scrambling or other outdoor adventure sports, then visit Carol at www.carolclimb.co.uk or Andy at www.adventures.org.uk
- For guided walks, historical tours and stories of local legends, battles and ghosts visit Lucy & Colin at www.touchstonetours.co.uk.
- For general climbing information, please visit Steve Crowe's website: www.climbonline.co.uk
- For bouldering in Eskdale, please visit www.lakesbouldering.co.uk
- For paragliding and guided walks, visit www.airventures.co.uk
