Ennerdale Water loop from Bowness — Lake District National Park

Remote and rugged, the Ennerdale fells rise abruptly from the coastal plain of West Cumbria. At their centre, Ennerdale Water is peaceful, scenic, and perfectly proportioned for a circumnavigation. The most westerly of the main lakes, it lies in a deep depression carved out by the glacier which ploughed down from Great Gable during the last ice age. The area is cared for by the Wild Ennerdale Partnership, a joint effort between the National Trust, Forestry England and United Utilities, encouraging natural regeneration with minimal human intervention. It’s one of the largest and longest running re-wilding projects in England, and has become Cumbria’s largest National Nature Reserve.
This Tour follows the well-maintained and entirely off-road lakeside trail, which loops the lake for 7.3 miles (11.7 km). With around 361 ft (110 m) of ascent, it’s about as flat as you get in these parts. With the water to one side and the heather-clad fells to the other, it’s a wild and remote-feeling run and a complete escape from the Lake Districts bustling tourist hotspots.
The trail is easy to follow, but some sections are quite rocky and rooty, so trail shoes with good grip are a wise choice. Most runners take around 1.5 hours to complete the loop, and there aren’t any refreshment stops, so you’ll need to carry water, snacks and a spare layer.
The closest station to Ennerdale is Whitehaven on the coast to the west. Buses pass along the A5086 from Cockermouth and Workington but only on Wednesdays and Fridays. If you’re driving, park at the Bowness Knott car park, postcode CA23 3AU, where the Tour starts.
There aren’t any facilities at the start or on the route. The Fox and Hounds Inn at Ennerdale Bridge is the closest, offering traditional pub food and a few rooms. YHA Ennerdale, further up the valley, has shared and private rooms and a camping barn. For more shops, cafes and accommodation Keswick, Cockermouth and Whitehaven aren’t far away.