Wainwrights in 21 Days

34km & 2036m (21miles & 6678ft)

Predicted Walking Time 9hr 27m

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A tour around the Ennerdale Valley area of the Western Wainwright fells. It's surprisingly hard work, with a number of steep climbs, and one tiring descent down Red Beck. It would be easiest to avoid the worst of the bracken by doing this descent in the Spring.

 

From the car park, circle the lake to Bleach Green. The aim then is to get to the footpath above Ben Gill waterfall. There seems to be a shortcut through the brashings, but it's hard work. Better to go further West and then cut back up the hill on the path.

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The three Wainwrights at this end of Ennerdale are grassy mounds with good views, though they do include the nuclear power station to the West. After Lank Rigg, return past Whoap to the  double fence/wall running North-East. Go down the gap between the fence and the wall, continuing over two walls until you meet Red Beck. Continue to a crossroads of walls, and then downhill between the wall and the stream. It's rocky and fiddly, with bracken and long grass. Not nice!

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An alternative is to go to the crossroads of walls and turn along the wall going West. After a short distance there is a path going downhill, which turns West and goes to the Lake on a route above Angler's Crag. Before reaching the crag you can cut directly down to the path along the lake. 

 

Navigation from then on is easier, though it would be easy to miss the path sloping gradually upwards to Scarth Gap. Remembering to go to Hay Stacks and back, traverse the ridge to Great Borne. The paths are easy, but the climb to High Crag up scree takes a bit of effort.

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After Great Borne, the path near Rake Beck is not always easy, so some may prefer to take a longer route over Herdus.

 

A big day, but hopefully the views along Ennerdale, and the long ridge to Great Borne will all seem worth it.