Ennerdale Water

(See also Ennerdale Bridge)

On a minor forestry road eight miles east of busy Whitehaven, lies Ennerdale Water at 2.5 miles in length, 0.75 miles in width and 148^ft in depth, a hidden treasure. This reservoir, outlined by trees, is lonely and serene and one of the least developed of the lakes. It is surrounded by the volcanic crags of Pillar, Steeple, Scoatfell, and Haycock on one side and High Stile and the Red Pike range on the other.

The Liza river (Lysa in Norse means bright water) empties into Ennerdale Water. At the western end of Ennerdale Lake, the Ehen river flows outward. At the head of Ennerdale Water are a youth hostel and a few scattered farms. Bowness Knott edges out into the lakes northern curve.

Shoreline (owned by the National Trust) walks and forest trails beckon. To traverse the entire lake will take approximately three hours, as the walk is eight miles and rough in places. The Smithy Beck Trail at 3.4 miles is the shortest and leads through the crumbling remains of a medieval settlement. Farmers and iron ore miners co-existed here.

Ennerdale Water is located off a minor road from the village of Ennerdale Bridge, which is off the A5086 in western Cumbria.

Photos courtesy of Ann Bowker

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