Caw Fell & Haycock loop from Ennerdale Water

Two of the western Wainwrights, starting from Bowness Knott car park in Ennerdale.

The route starts with a flat and pleasant walk along Ennerdale Water for nearly 3km, until you cross the bridge at the far end of the lake and head into the forest.

You’ll soon reach two smaller footbridges. Cross the first, taking care on the rocks around the crossing as they can be wet and slippery. Turn immediately right afterwards to start the climb. If you cross the second bridge, you’ve gone too far!

The path is rockier for a while before emerging into open ground with bracken. From here, the climb continues towards Caw Fell. A short walk along the ridge, passing Little Gowder Crag, brings you to neighbouring Haycock and its stony summit.

The views are particularly impressive as you descend back towards Ennerdale, with the lake opening up ahead of you. However, the path on this section can get extremely boggy. As you approach the forest, it also becomes faint and uneven in places. If you’d prefer a simpler, better-marked return, you could make this an out-and-back walk, retracing your steps along the ascent route.

Parking at Bowness Knott costs £10 for the day (October 2026). Free parking is available for Forestry England national and Ennerdale Forest members.