Ennerdale Water

Bleach Green is the best starting point for a first visit. It sits at the western end of the lake, with a level approach to the shore and a short surfaced route for an easy taste of the scenery. The full circuit is about 11.5 km and usually takes around four hours. The northern side follows a quieter gravel track, but the southern shore is narrower, rockier, and includes a few short scrambly sections around Angler's Crag. Wear shoes with good grip and allow more time than the low elevation suggests.

Bowness Knott, farther along the northern shore, is another useful starting point for the circuit, forest roads, and longer fell walks. Both car parks are at the western end of the valley. Bleach Green is free; Bowness Knott is pay-and-display. There is no public road alongside the lake, and vehicles cannot continue beyond Bowness Knott unless they have an authorized reason to be in the valley.

The water, regenerating woodland, and open fell make this a good place to slow down and watch. Yellowhammers can be seen around the gorse in spring and summer. Galloway cattle and a small herd of pigs roam parts of the valley, so keep dogs close, do not feed the animals, and give them room. The lake is managed as a reservoir and swimming is not allowed.