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Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

By Emma Knipe   

on August 15, 2019    5/5 (1)

Posted as a walk in – England, Europe, Lake District National Park, Lake District's Western Fells

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

Route Essentials

Route Summary

Starting on the shores of Ennerdale Water, this route climbs through Ennerdale Forest and follows faint, grassy paths to these four quiet Wainwrights.

See the end of the article for local information about parking, public transport facilities, pubs and cafes.

Distance

19.86 km

Ascent

990 m

Time

7-8 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Start Location

Ennerdale Water

Difficulty

Hard Walk

Hazards

A few short pathless sections so good navigation skills are required. One short section of exposed, narrow descent from Steeple. A steep descent across uneven, rocky terrain through Ennerdale Forest

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Lake District Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?
Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need. 

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale Ordnance Survey Map and GPX File Download

View the full route map

Download file for GPS

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

Just west of Pillar summit, Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple sit in a secluded corner of the Lake District. Ennerdale in Lake District’s Western Fells, with crystal clear waters and dense conifers, has almost an alpine appearance. This route showcases Ennerdale at its best, following shoreline paths, climbing between the trees and reaching the quiet summits, with breathtaking views back across the lake, out to the coast and the Scafell range.

Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale Route Description

1. Return to the road from the car park and turn left. The gravel track follows the shoreline of Ennerdale Water for approximately 2.5km.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale
2. Turn right, using the large concrete bridge to cross the River Liza.

3. The track continues between farming fields, with great views of Crag Fell and Anglers Crag above Ennerdale Water to the right and Pillar to the left.

4. Go through the wooden swing gate and continue straight ahead.

5. The path runs between the trees and soon reaches a large, open grassy plain. Take the narrow, left hand footpath between the trees.

6. Keep left at the fork. The rocky, and often muddy path drops down towards the stream. Go over the first footbridge and turn right.

7. The path gradually widens and becomes clearer as it climbs the hillside.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

8. The edge of the treeline is eventually reached, with great views back across Starling Dodd and the High Stile range.

9. Go over the stile and turn left, following the narrow path as it bears right through the bracken.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale
10. The path eventually reaches a cairn and then a second cairn a few metres ahead. Keep right at the second cairn and continue upwards.

11. The path bears around to the right, with wonderful views back across the valley and reaches the remains of a dry stone wall.

12. Turn left and leave the footpath, following the fallen dry stone wall to a fence line. Turn right and continue alongside the fence to reach the corner of the fence and a stile.


13. Go over the stile and bear slightly right along the grassy path. The path reaches a small stone shelter and then a cairn, marking the summit of Caw Fell.

14. Retrace your steps back to the stone shelter and then to the fence line. Don’t cross the stile this time. Instead continue straight ahead, following the path next to the wall and keeping the wall and fence on your left.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

15. The path gradually steepens as it approaches Little Gowder Crag and then weaves up between the rocks to Haycock summit.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

16. There are two main cairns on Haycock; the higher and true summit is the cairn next to the stone wall. Both offer spectacular views of the Scafell range.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

17. From the summit, turn left. Keeping the wall to the left, follow the path downhill.

18. The path levels out for a metre or two and then, still following the wall, gently climbs towards Scoat Fell, with Ennerdale Water down to the left.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

19. Go over the left hand stile and turn right. Keep the fence and wall on your right.

20. A large cairn on the left marks the start of the path to Steeple.

21. Ignore this large cairn for now and continue following the wall as it bears around to the right. After approximately 250 metres, a small cairn appears on top of the wall. This is the summit of Scoat Fell. Retrace your steps back to the large cairn. This time, turn right and take the path towards Steeple.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

22. The narrow and dramatic path hugs the edge of the cliff.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

23. After a short descent, the footpath climbs towards the summit cairn, with Pillar in the background.

24. Bearing left, the path gradually widens and descends. Although faint in places, the path along Long Crag is clear enough to follow.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

25. As the footpath levels out and approaches the edge of Ennerdale Forest, it gets a little trickier. The path reaches a very faint junction (if you get to Low Beck, you’ve gone too far). Turn right at the junction, heading north east and then almost immediately, turn left. The very faint path runs through the heather to pass a large boulder and reach a stile in the fence. The compass bearing is 358 N.

26. Go over the stile and continue straight ahead. Keep right at the forks and the path soon crosses a low dry stone wall.

Walk up Caw Fell, Haycock, Scoat Fell and Steeple from Ennerdale

27. The path enters the forest and descends alongside Low Beck. The rocky, often boggy and uneven path makes the route seem much steeper than it actually is. After approximately 6.5km, the path reaches a small clearing, which marks the end of a forestry track. Ignore the track and instead bear left along a narrow path back into the dense trees.

28. Continue alongside the beck; there are a few great viewpoints of the waterfalls.

29. The path levels out and reaches a junction.

30. Turn left and follow the forestry track across the bridge. After approximately 300 metres, there’s a right hand fork. Take the fork and follow the path through the trees and alongside the pond.

31. Keep left at the next fork and then turn right back on to the wide track. Continue straight ahead, following the track to reach a cattle grid and two gates. Go through the wooden swing gate, continue uphill and bear right across the bridge.

32. The track reaches a junction; turn right and go through the wooden gate to join the track taken earlier on.

33. Go straight across the concrete bridge and turn left. Follow the shoreline track to return to the car park.

 

 

 

 

Local Information and Recommended Maps and Guidebooks

Route Summary:

Starting on the shores of Ennerdale Water, this route climbs through Ennerdale Forest and follows faint, grassy paths to these four quiet Wainwrights.

This walk includes the 4 Wainwrights of Scoat Fell, Steeple, Haycock, Caw Fell

This walk includes the 2 Hewitts of Scoat Fell, Haycock

This walk includes the 4 Nuttalls of Scoat Fell, Steeple, Haycock, Caw Fell

Route Start Location: Ennerdale Water

Distance
 Ascent
 Time
19.86 km 990 m 7-8 hours

Calculate the time using Naismith’s Rule and factor in your own pace.

Activivity Type: Hard Walk

Summits and Places on this Route

Facilities

None on route. Ennerdale Bridge, with plenty of pubs and a café is a short drive north of Ennerdale. The Fox and Hounds at Ennerdale Bridge is a community-owned pub and offers excellent food and local beers. Accommodation is also available.

Hazards

A few short pathless sections so good navigation skills are required. One short section of exposed, narrow descent from Steeple. A steep descent across uneven, rocky terrain through Ennerdale Forest

Remember that we cannot outline every single hazard on a walk – it’s up to you to be safe and competent. Read up on Mountain Safety , Navigation and what equipment you’ll need.

Parking : CA23 3AU

Free parking at Bowness Knott car park

Public Transport:

There is no public transport serving Ennerdale Bridge

Traveline for UK Public Transport

Weather Forecast:

Met Office Lake District Mountain Weather

Check out our Best Mountain Weather Forecast?

Recommended Maps: 

Guidebooks:

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Emma Knipe

Based in the Lake District and with frequent trips to Snowdonia, Emma spends most days in the mountains. She splits her time between leading group hikes, volunteering with the National Trust, mountain biking, hiking with the dog and planning the next adventure.

More Posts by Emma Knipe

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