Steeple, Scoat Fell, Haycock, Caw Fell & Crag Fell - Sunday 31 March 2019
Route
Bleach Green - Ennerdale Water - Robin Hood's Chair - The Side - Ling Mell Plantation - Lingmell - Long Crag - Steeple - Scoat Fell - Haycock - Little Gowder Crag - Caw Fell - Iron Crag - Crag Fell - Bleach Green
Parking
Bleach Green Car Park, Ennerdale (Free) - Grid Ref NY086153. Nearest postcode is CA23 3AS.
Mileage
13.5 miles
Terrain
Mountain paths & forest tracks for the most part. The path through Lingmell Plantation to the foot of Long Crag is intermittent therefore ensure that you are on your navigation through this section, particularly in poor visibility.
Weather
A mixed bag today - bright sunshine in the morning which turned overcast in the afternoon
Time Taken
8hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
3402ft (1037m)
Wainwrights
5
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Bleach Green - Ennerdale Water - Robin Hood's Chair - The Side - Ling Mell Plantation - Lingmell - Long Crag - Steeple - Scoat Fell - Haycock - Little Gowder Crag - Caw Fell - Iron Crag - Crag Fell - Bleach Green
Parking
Bleach Green Car Park, Ennerdale (Free) - Grid Ref NY086153. Nearest postcode is CA23 3AS.
Mileage
13.5 miles
Terrain
Mountain paths & forest tracks for the most part. The path through Lingmell Plantation to the foot of Long Crag is intermittent therefore ensure that you are on your navigation through this section, particularly in poor visibility.
Weather
A mixed bag today - bright sunshine in the morning which turned overcast in the afternoon
Time Taken
8hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
3402ft (1037m)
Wainwrights
5
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
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Walk Description
The Western Fells are not too far from where we live therefore we are out & about in them a fair bit. One of our favourite fells is Steeple which we have always climbed from Wasdale as an added on part of the Mosedale Horseshoe. We have often stood on the top of Steeple and admired the north ridge coming up from Ennerdale and wondered what it would be like to ascend the fell this way - today we would find out. The aim today was to walk the fells of Steeple, Haycock, Caw Fell & Crag Fell from the Car Park at Bleach Green near the head of Ennerdale Water. At 13.5 miles and with just over 3400 feet of ascent it is a long and demanding day out but one that should be enjoyed, savoured and not rushed. The walk is also in one of the quietest parts of the Lake District - we saw 3 people all day.
Leaving Bleach Green the route heads to Ennerdale Water and makes its way along the southern shore of the lake following the Coast to Coast route. Reaching Robin Hood's Chair there is a short scramble section which has two paths - best here to take the right hand path which hugs the fell side and is a lot easier to both ascend & descend. Once back down on the lakeshore, the path hugs the shoreline for the most part heading along The Side to eventually reach the eastern end of the lake. After transitting across a grassy path the route heads into Ling Mell Plantations via a large footbridge over Woundell Beck to reach a track. After a few hundred yards and through a gate a path leaves to the right leading to a small gate - this is not readily apparent and is easily missed as it is set back from the track. Once through the gate the steep climbing starts - this is a tough little section both physically and navigationally as it would be very easy to take the wrong path out of the plantation and end up on Tewit How - keep to the left hand fence and this will lead you to the lower slopes of Lingmell. The path is clearer now and can be seen snaking its way over to the foot of Long Crag.
At the foot of Long Crag there now begins a delightful ascent to the summit of Steeple - we stopped often up this climb as the views over to Pillar and Windgap Cove were superb. Reaching the summit the views really do open out - Pillar, Scoat Fell, Great Gable & The Scafell Range all come into view and we hung about for a while although by this time the weather was changing as the sun was replaced by cloud. From Steeple the route drops down steeply into a rocky col to then ascend once more to reach Scoat Fell and as the ground flattens out it is just a short walk to reach the summit - once again the views from the summit are fantastic. Next up was Haycock therefore handrailing the left hand side of the Ennerdale Fence wall we descended steeply to reach the col where the crossroads of paths from Netherbeck & Ennerdale meet to then climb steeply to Haycock's rocky summit.
The descent to Little Gowder Crag from Haycock requires a little bit of care at first as it descends steeply off the summit. The path does head south of Little Gowder Crag but the summit is worth a detour - if only for the short scramble both in ascent & descent. Crossing the wall below Little Gowder Crag leads to a faint path which heads gently up to reach the cairned summit of Caw Fell - the wall then needs to be crossed again via a stile a few yards from the summit cairn. This leads to a path which continues to run alongside the left hand side of the wall to then turn sharp right to follow the wall for a few miles, firstly over Iron Crag to then eventually join up with the path coming down from Whoap to reach a gate. Once through the gate the path heads over the old mine track to reach another path which ascends modestly up to the summit of Crag Fell. The views from Crag Fell are excellent with Ennerdale Water, Great Borne and the High Stile ridge in view. From the summit a path heads west down to reach a post to then drop steeply to arrive eventually at a track which swings left to reach the Car Park at Bleach Green.
This is an excellent walk. It may not have the gravitas of other routes but it does deliver remoteness, excellent walking and superb views - plus you are unlikely to see many people once you head west from Scoat Fell.
Leaving Bleach Green the route heads to Ennerdale Water and makes its way along the southern shore of the lake following the Coast to Coast route. Reaching Robin Hood's Chair there is a short scramble section which has two paths - best here to take the right hand path which hugs the fell side and is a lot easier to both ascend & descend. Once back down on the lakeshore, the path hugs the shoreline for the most part heading along The Side to eventually reach the eastern end of the lake. After transitting across a grassy path the route heads into Ling Mell Plantations via a large footbridge over Woundell Beck to reach a track. After a few hundred yards and through a gate a path leaves to the right leading to a small gate - this is not readily apparent and is easily missed as it is set back from the track. Once through the gate the steep climbing starts - this is a tough little section both physically and navigationally as it would be very easy to take the wrong path out of the plantation and end up on Tewit How - keep to the left hand fence and this will lead you to the lower slopes of Lingmell. The path is clearer now and can be seen snaking its way over to the foot of Long Crag.
At the foot of Long Crag there now begins a delightful ascent to the summit of Steeple - we stopped often up this climb as the views over to Pillar and Windgap Cove were superb. Reaching the summit the views really do open out - Pillar, Scoat Fell, Great Gable & The Scafell Range all come into view and we hung about for a while although by this time the weather was changing as the sun was replaced by cloud. From Steeple the route drops down steeply into a rocky col to then ascend once more to reach Scoat Fell and as the ground flattens out it is just a short walk to reach the summit - once again the views from the summit are fantastic. Next up was Haycock therefore handrailing the left hand side of the Ennerdale Fence wall we descended steeply to reach the col where the crossroads of paths from Netherbeck & Ennerdale meet to then climb steeply to Haycock's rocky summit.
The descent to Little Gowder Crag from Haycock requires a little bit of care at first as it descends steeply off the summit. The path does head south of Little Gowder Crag but the summit is worth a detour - if only for the short scramble both in ascent & descent. Crossing the wall below Little Gowder Crag leads to a faint path which heads gently up to reach the cairned summit of Caw Fell - the wall then needs to be crossed again via a stile a few yards from the summit cairn. This leads to a path which continues to run alongside the left hand side of the wall to then turn sharp right to follow the wall for a few miles, firstly over Iron Crag to then eventually join up with the path coming down from Whoap to reach a gate. Once through the gate the path heads over the old mine track to reach another path which ascends modestly up to the summit of Crag Fell. The views from Crag Fell are excellent with Ennerdale Water, Great Borne and the High Stile ridge in view. From the summit a path heads west down to reach a post to then drop steeply to arrive eventually at a track which swings left to reach the Car Park at Bleach Green.
This is an excellent walk. It may not have the gravitas of other routes but it does deliver remoteness, excellent walking and superb views - plus you are unlikely to see many people once you head west from Scoat Fell.
The Car Park at Bleach Green - the start of today's walk. The route leaves by the gate ahead which leads to Ennerdale Water.
Robin Hood's Chair below Angler's Crag looking to Herdus, Great Borne & Bowness Knott
Looking into the sun down Ennerdale Water with Pillar centre stage. I wonder if "Silhouetted Dog Balancing" will become an Olympic Sport?
Ennerdale Water looking to Starling Dodd, Red Pike & High Stile with Pillar & Steeple to the right
Looking across Ennerdale Water to Herdus, Great Borne & Bowness Knott
Heading along the lakeshore with Crag Fell & Anglers Crag providing the backdrop. The Crag Fell Pinnacles can just about be seen in the centre of shot.
An Ennerdale Water panorama as we head along The Side
At the head of Ennerdale Water - the route now continues on a pleasant grassy path
I don't think this chap could look any more grumpy if he tried
The fine bridge over Woundell Beck
The steep ascent up through Ling Mell Plantation - rest often to look at the view of Starling Dodd behind you.............
.............................. and the cracking view back down Ennerdale Water
Iron Crag
Another corking view down Ennerdale
A good path leaves Ling Mell Plantations to the base of Long Crag on Steeple in the left centre of shot. Pillar & Windgap Cove are further left.
Looking over to the High Stile Ridge
Got to be one of the finest ridge walks in Lakeland - from Great Borne on the left all the way to High Crag on the right
Mighty Pillar across Windgap Cove with Black Crag to the right
Ascending Long Crag on Steeple's North Ridge
Looking across to Haycock, Little Gowder Crag, Caw Fell & Iron Crag - it was starting to become very overcast now
Approaching Steeple
Wind Gap on Pillar & Black Crag
Pillar & Black Crag from Long Crag
Whilst it may have been overcast the views were still fantastic today - Grasmoor over the top of the High Stile Ridge with Skiddaw far distance
The final push up the north ridge of Steeple
Scoat Fell across Mirk Cove
Pillar & Black Crag from the summit of Steeple with Great Gable to the right
A panorama from Steeple's summit with the pudding shape of Great Gable in the centre
The summit cairn on Steeple
Walkers on the ridge between Scoat Fell & Black Crag - the Scafell Range is to the right
Looking to Scoat Fell from the descent of Steeple - this is a delightful little descent & ascent
Looking back to Steeple's summit as Angie makes her way down to join me in the col
A Steeple panorama - this has got to be one of my favourite fells in the Lake District
The view from Scoat Fell looking to Kirk Fell in the foreground with Great End, Scafell Pike and Scafell to the rear.
Red Pike and the Coniston fells are to the right
Red Pike and the Coniston fells are to the right
The summit of Scoat Fell is marked by a small cairn atop the Ennerdale Fence wall.
A Scoat Fell panorama
I sometimes get the impression that Scoat Fell is sort of just 'bagged' as people pass through on their way to either Pillar & Steeple but just look at those views - it is certainly worth hanging around here for a while in order to take them in.
Heading for Haycock with Middle Fell & Seatallan to the left
Haycock ahead with Little Gowder Crag to the right
On the summit of Haycock looking to The Scafells
Dropping down off Haycock to Little Gowder Crag with Caw Fell to the left.
The huge bulk of Iron Crag is middle right with Crag Fell peeping out behind. To the rear of Caw Fell are Lank Rigg, Whoap & Grike
The huge bulk of Iron Crag is middle right with Crag Fell peeping out behind. To the rear of Caw Fell are Lank Rigg, Whoap & Grike
The summit of Caw Fell
Descending off Caw Fell to Iron Crag - whilst we were now on our way back, it is still a long way to Bleach Green from here
The summit of the Nuttall of Iron Crag
Crag Fell's summit cairn
The metal post which marks a crossroads of routes - left leads to Grike, straight on for Bleach Green and right for the Crag Fell Pinnacles
Fudge was still clearly full of beans as we descend to Bleach Green