Haycock to Bowness Knott
DAY 3
NY144107 As is 11 often the case in Ennerdale, the historic boundary wall (a fine example of drystone wall engineering) guides the way ahead between Haycock and Caw Fell. From Haycock’s 797m summit, descend initially west and then north-west on a faint path to the left of the wall.
Before Little Gowder Crag, a rather dramatic craggy hump with some precipitous ground, veer left on a path to bypass the steepest terrain. Cross the wall, where possible, so that you’re now to the right of the wall. Continue west to the col between Haycock and Caw Fell. Climb west to the cairned summit of Caw Fell.
NY131109 Head 12 west to Silver Cove and the source of Silvercove Beck. Veer right and descend north and then north-west, crossing a wall to reach the col below Iron Crag. Ascend the gentlyinclined slopes ahead to the 640m top of Iron Crag, which is not a Wainwright but is included in the Nuttall classification of English and Welsh mountains. Descend north-west initially, veer sharply left and then right again. Descend and traverse north-west, passing to the east of Whoap. Arrive at the deforested col near to Black Pots and climb through various gates on a good path up to the summit of Crag Fell.
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Descend south-west on a grassy path over gentle terrain. Arrive at a fence and turn right.
Follow the fence west over the boggy col between Crag Fell and Grike, cross a stile and climb gently to pass to the right of a weather station and pylon. Climb the gassy path ahead, veering right away from the fence, and gain the summit of Grike. Retrace your steps downhill past the weather station and back to the col. Cross the stile and immediately turn left, following the fence north and then north-west on a
narrow trod
11 descending parallel to Ben Gill. Next to a stile join a wider track and descend north before veering left to cross Ben Gill where two streams converge. Traverse and descend west and cross a stile to enter woodland. Descend the narrow, winding path, which loops to cross a stream, before veering north-west. Fork right at a junction and take a shortcut down to a wide track.
NY083150 Turn
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right, turn left through a gate, head north-east to Crag Farm and then veer north to Bleach Green Cottages. Loop east, go through a gate, and take the gravel road to the weir. Turn left over a bridge and continue straight ahead. Rejoin the shore path at a footbridge over a stream and loop clockwise around Ennerdale Water, heading north-east and then east. Go through a gate and turn right to head south-east. Cross a footbridge over Gill Beck and pass to the south of Mireside. As the path veers south, go through a gate, cross a stream and turn left. Head south-east away from the lake and along a wall that returns to Bowness Knott car park.