Walk title: Pillar from Ennerdale Water
Group: Summit Good
Meet time: 9.15am
Start time: 9.30am
Estimated finish time: 3.30pm to 4.30pm
Distance: 14 miles (22.5 kilometers)
Ascent: About 3350 feet (1021 meters).
Ramblers walk grading: A (Strenuous)
Start point: Bowness Knott Car Park (northern car park of Ennerdale Water)
Postcode: CA23 3AX
Car parking: This is the start point, though thankfully it is a larger car park. Please note there is nowhere to park on the windy country road that ends at Bowness Knott Car Park.
It is the responsibility of each walker to make sure they understand where to park. If you are not sure where the car parking/meeting point is, you must contact the walk leader at the latest the day before the walk. You should not rely on mobile phones or postcodes. There is often no mobile reception near walk meeting points and postcodes are for the nearest place nearby but should only serve as a guideline. Please allow plenty of time to find a parking space so that walks can start promptly.
Description: This begins from Bowness Knott Car Park and we head steadily eastwards deeper into the valley of Ennerdale first passing by the lake and then entering deeper into the forest. This part of the walk will be very quick as most of it is on wide forest tracks.
As the valley narrows the Buttermere mountains loom over to the left, but to the right is the even taller Pillar and as we pass it all of its menacing northern face can be seen- including Pillar Rock which majestically protrudes outwards. As we slightly ascend the forests narrows until it comes to a stop when we reach the final part of the Ennerdale Valley- and this is where Great Gable makes itself known.
About six miles into the walk we finally cross the River Liza via a generous footbridge. From here the true ascent begins as we follow a faint path to reach Black Sail Pass, and this pass divides Kirk Fell from Pillar. From this pass the steepness eases somewhat and eventually the path moves closer to edge of Pillar: a series of steep slopes, escarpments and ravines which define its northern face. Thankfully the path gets close but never breaches the steep and treacherous northern face of Pillar. Because of this the final part of the ascent becomes very enjoyable as to the south there is Wasdale and immediately to the north one can peer down into Ennerdale Valley; and I cannot begin to describe just how epic this when the mountain is not misty.
The top of Pillar is 892 meters but rather wide and flat on top, so the clearest views are westwards and southwards. But stray a little to the north and one looks down at the nauseating Ennerdale side where the forest and the river below look tiny.
From Pillar we descent a bit to Wind Gap (and yes each time I have been there it has been windy) and then dip up, and down and finally a little more up to reach the second mountain of the walk Scoat Fell. Now on the map there’s Great Scoat Fell and Little Scoat Fell, but it’s all Scoat Fell and its highest point is 841 meters which can be found somewhere along the stone wall which divides the summit in two.
From Scoat Fell we begin the descent but the very best is yet to come for we then go along a narrow ridgeline connecting Scoat Fell to Steeple. It looks treacherous but the paths are quite wide, and the top of Steeple (819 meters) may just be the greatest vantage point in all of the Ennerdale Valley.
From Steeple we go spend the next two miles descending going down Black Crag, then crossing over Low Beck, walk across the top of Lingmell (a prominent foothill in the western side of Ennerdale) and then cutting through Ling Mell Plantations before at last reaching a forest track. From there it’s a straightforward route back to the car park.
Now usually with my mountain walks a slower pace is not an issue as the walk is usually done within six hours and is about 10 miles long. This one for a change is going to be a brisker walk and will require more endurance. If you regularly go to the mountains this one will be fine. But if you have any questions about this please contact me.
Please contact Miles on 07842 783319 by 10pm on Friday 15 March if you are coming on this walk (text or phone, or message on Facebook (Miles Saunders-Priem)). This walk is suitable for dogs, though I highly recommend dogs go on a lead when the path gets closer to Pillar’s northern face, or during the descent to Wind Gap, or going along the ridge between Scoat Fell to Steeple.
Please check the weather and bring appropriate clothing (waterproofs and spare warm clothing), footwear and enough food and water. The leader reserves the right to turn away any walker not suitably equipped. The leader may cancel the walk or modify the route dependent on conditions.
Car sharing is now possible – please contact the walk leader to arrange.
New members: please note the walk leader may ask for more information about your walking experience. This is to ensure you have the fitness required to complete the walk that is planned safely.