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- The Ennerdale Horseshoe
The Ennerdale Horseshoe is a popular round often completed by fell runners in just a few hours, but as a walker it provides a long physically, and mentally demanding challenge. Starting from the western end of Ennerdale Water the route soon climbs up the fellside to join the long ridge that climbs to the Buttermere Fells. The route continues up and over Green Gable before turning westward to ascend over Kirk Fell . Now on the return leg the fells that surround Pillar are traversed before we turn north after Haycock to finish over the much gentler slopes just above Ennerdale Water.
This challenge is sure to push you to your limits, but there aren't many better ways to find where they are.
Summits included on this route:
Great Borne616 metres / 2021 feet
Starling Dodd858 metres / 2815 feet
Red Pike (Buttermere)755 metres / 2477 feet
High Stile807 metres / 2648 feet
High Crag744 metres / 2441 feet
Haystacks597 metres / 1959 feet
Brandreth715 metres / 2346 feet
Green Gable801 metres / 2628 feet
Great Gable (Optional)682 metres / 2238 feet
Kirk Fell802 metres / 2631 feet
Pillar892 metres / 2927 feet
Scoat Fell841 metres / 2759 feet
Haycock797 metres / 2615 feet
Caw Fell690 metres / 2264 feet
Crag Fell525 metres / 1716 feet
Starting from the car park at the western end of Ennerdale Water we start to make our way a short way around the lake clockwise before climbing the fellside over Herdus to our first of many summits, Great Borne. Now above 600m we follow the ridge to the east over Starling Dodd to join the main Buttermere Fells. As we reach Red Pike we are greeted with fantastic views down into Buttermere. We will traverse across High Stile and High Crag before descending to Scarth Gap. From Scarth Gap we will scramble up the western face of Haystacks and to its lovely tarn topped summit.
On our second lowest summit of the day, we now start to re-ascend and make our way across the gentle ground to the summit of Brandreth where we can see into the Borrowdale Valley. We continue southwards a short distance to the summit of Green Gable, and if you are feeling energetic we can also take in the giant Great Gable.
From either of these summits we make our way to Beck Head, and onto the second half of the journey. After tackling Kirk Fell's steep eastern face we take in both of its summits before again descending into the Black Sail pass.
The re-ascent starts again and we climb up the gentle slopes over Looking Stead to the flat top of Pillar, from where we gain superb views back down to Ennerdale Water, and of our entire route. We turn westwards and over Scoat Fell to the fine rocky summit of Haycock.
Every summit from this point onwards is lower, however the ground still undulates along the way. We walk over the long grassy Caw Fell before dropping into the woods. We emerge from the woods with our final short climb up to the summit of Crag Fell. After soaking up the views of our entire route we will descend steeply back to the car park.
The Ennerdale Horseshoe is a very long day out entailing lots of ascent or descent, and will therefore be very physically demanding. It should only be tackled by experienced hill walkers or very fit people. Most of the route can be completed in separate walks via The Buttermere Fells Extended, Above Ennerdale and Pillar from Wasdale. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your suitability to this walk.
Each participant will be required to bring suitable equipment for their chosen event, please see Kit List tab above.
Where to meet: Bowness Knott, Ennerdale
Postcode: CA23 3AS (approximate)
Grid Reference: NY 109 153
Directions
From Cockermouth: Follow the A5086 south from Cockermouth, until shortly after the Lamplugh Tip pub is passed to the right turn left, on the road signposted to Kirkland and Ennerdale Bridge.
Follow the road to Kirkland turning left at the crossroads in the village, at the end of this road turn right at the t-junction.
Follow the road down the hill, turning left at the junction into Croasdale, continuing on this road to the Bowness Knott Car Park, crossing the cattle grid, we will meet in the larger car park to the left.
Bus Services
There are no bus services to Bowness Knott.
Stagecoach bus timetables can be viewed here
Each participant is expected to have suitable personal equipment for their activity this should include the following:
- Walking shoes / Boots
- Waterproof clothing (Jacket and trousers)
- Suitable clothing for walking (no jeans)
- Warm tops
- Packed lunch
- Spare clothing
- Water
- Hat
- Gloves
- Torch (preferably a headtorch)
- Spare batteries for the above
For winter walks (November to March) events please also bring the following:
- Spare Gloves
- Flask & Hot Drink
The Following equipment may also be useful if owned:
- Snow Goggles
- Gaiters
The following equipment will be provided by The Lake District Walker should winter conditions require:
- Ice Axe
- Crampons
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Questions:
Question:
Is there a minimum number of participants for this event to go ahead?
Answers:
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Posted by John Scadding on Wednesday, 8 November 2017
For the majority of our events we do not require a minimum group size, however for some events, due to running costs and lengths of day we do have to stipulate a minimum group size for an event to go ahead.
For this event we have a minimum group size of 3 people.
Should we not reach this minimum number one month prior to the event we will contact you and offer you your choice of the following options:
- The option to wait until nearer the event date to see if we reach the minimum number.
- A transfer to another event of your choice (either on the same date or another).
- A Full refund
Question:
What is the minimum age for children on this event?
Answers:
-
Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We do not have a set minimum age for this event, however, you know your child best, therefore please bear in mind this is an open event of varying ages, if you are not confident your child can complete this event then hiring a private guide could be a more suitable option.
As this is an open event all under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Question:
What happens if the weather is bad?
Answers:
-
Posted by John Scadding on Thursday, 12 October 2017
We plan to walk whatever the weather, unless it is dangerous to do so.
Mountain weather can be a little unpredictable, but we do keep an eye on the forecasts leading up to walks, should the forecast mean that the walk is not possible then we will contact you as soon as we have the forecast and offer you the following options:
- A more suitable walk on the same date taking into consideration the weather conditions
- A transfer to the same walk on another date
- A full refund
Question:
Are dogs allowed on this walk?
Answers:
-
Posted by John Scadding on Monday, 18 September 2017
Yes, dogs are allowed on all our walks.
However we do cross farmland and common land where animals will be grazing, there will be large sections of the walk, if not all, where dogs will be required to be on a lead.
There are sections of this walk across rough ground and boulders and as such this walk may not be suitable for all dogs.
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