Starting point: Bowness Point NT car park, Ennerdale  (NY 109153)  Distance: 9.08 miles  Ascent: 2595'

Caw Fell and Haycock are remote western fells.  There are no quick routes to these summits.  AW writes of Caw, 'But this is a fell that should not be underestimated.  It is remote from shelter or habitation; ... An exhausted walker on Caw Fell is in bad trouble' The Western Fells Caw Fell p.3
The route shown here is from Ennerdale via heather-clad tongue of land that extends north from the main ridge down into Ennerdale.  The nearest, and only, car park is at Bowness Point, a two-mile walk from the beginning of the ascent.  Nevertheless, it is a fine walk with the opportunity of an enjoyable scramble over Little Gowder Crag.

Route: Park at Bowness Point NT car park and walk up the valley alongside Ennerdale water for a distance of two miles.  Cross The River Liza via a concrete bridge and, entering woodland, cross Woundell Beck via a bridge and ascend to the main ridge using a heather-clad tongue of land between Silvercove Beck and Deep Gill.  Reaching the substantial stone wall (the Ennerdale Fence), turn west uphill to the summit of Caw Fell.  Retrace steps and ascend to the summit of Haycock over Little Gowder Crag.  Return to the valley using the same route of ascent.

 Crag Fell across Ennerdale Water
The path on the other side of the lake is part of the Coast to Coast walk

The route to the main ridge can be seen from here.  The brown coloured tongue of land is used for the ascent.
Haycock os the highest point shown, with Little Gowder Crag, closer to, barring the way!

The concrete bridge across the River Liza

The path up Tongue End just after crossing Woundell Beck
One of the aims of the 'Wild Ennerdale' project is to replant Ennerdale with a mix of deciduous and conifer trees and the work has begun here

Silver Cove

Haycock and Little Gowder Crag on the horizon as seen on the ascent

Caw Fell summit cairn
Beattie looks tired out already!

Looking east from Caw Fell along the ridge to Haycock, Scoat Fell and Pillar

This photo gives an idea of the remoteness of Caw Fell to the west
This is the route to the Coldfell Road; but it is six miles distant!

This substantial wall is an old estate boundary - the Ennerdale Fence
Recently, work has taken place to restore the wall in order to stop sheep from the Wasdale valley straying into Ennerdale
 and overgrazing the alpine plants.  Click here for further information.

This photo and the next show the enjoyable scramble over Little Gowder Crag (which may be avoided)
Notice how the Ennerdale Fence continues over the crag where possible!

Little Gowder Crag

The wall shelter at the summit of Haycock

The stony top of Haycock
To the east, the Scafell range

The portakabin is used by workers repairing the Ennerdale Fence

Descending into Ennerdale on the return
The fell in the background is Starling Dodd, AW's final fell!

The River Liza
Looking up the valley towards Pillar

The River Liza looking west
The forest road runs alongside - it's a two-mile walk back to the car!

To post a comment click here

Comment from Gary
Lovely photos again Derek.  It really is wild round that part of the Lakes.  We still have all that area to cover yet, from looking at your photos I will have to get the maps out to see if I can work out a couple of backpacking trips for next year; it looks great for exploring for a few days. Gary ...

Comment from Anonymous
I took a photo of the notice cos it made me laugh, it say the need for the boundary will be reviewed in 20101 not 2010.
20101 is about right given the speed at which the LDNPA do anything.
Thanks for the comment.  You are correct, of course; I was being generous in my transcription!! derek
 

Return to top

 

Photographs taken with a Fuji MX-2900 Zoom or a Canon EOS 20D
Copyright © 2008 Derek Cockell     All Rights Reserved