Ennerdale Water
Ennerdale Water is a glacial lake on the far western edge of the Lake District National Park. This lake sits at the mouth of the Ennerdale Valley, one of the quietest and least visited valleys in the national park, and that solitude is a big part of its appeal. The lake is surrounded by a mix of native woodland and conifer plantation, much of it now part of the Wild Ennerdale rewilding project, which has given the valley a wilder, more untamed character than most of the central lakes. A 10 km shoreline path loops the entire lake, starting from either Bowness Knott on the north side or Bleach Green to the southwest. Most of the circuit is flat and easy, but the section around Anglers Crag on the southern shore involves a short scramble over exposed rock. The crag juts directly into the water and the red tones of the Ennerdale Granite underneath really stand out, especially in warm light. Robin Hood's Chair, a rocky outcrop nearby, gives you an elevated vantage point looking back along the full length of the lake with the fells stacked behind it. From the eastern end, the valley opens up toward Pillar, Great Gable, and Steeple, and on clear days that long view down the valley is one of the strongest compositions here. Early morning is the best time for reflections, particularly from the calmer northern shore. The weir at Bleach Green, where the lake flows into the River Ehen, is another solid foreground subject. Overcast days work well too, as the forest textures and fell contours pull through without harsh shadows. (Lake District National Park, Cumbria, England)
