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Sunday 27 November 2016

Sun 27th November - Wild Ennerdale

Car Parking: Forestry Commission car park, Bowness Knott, Ennerdale (grid reference NY 109 153, postcode CA23 3AU). This is a free car park with ample space.

Meet Time: 9.30 am at the car park

Walk Start: 9.45 am

Description: This walk follows a mixture of forestry tracks and footpaths. The tracks and paths are all good, although in wet weather they will be muddy in places. It is a circular route.

Route: This route takes us from the end of the public road eastwards into the Ennerdale valley. We follow the lakeside track for a couple of kilometres before turning right and heading over the River Liza. Once on the south side of the valley we continue our journey eastwards into the forest. After a short while in the Ling Mell plantation we leave the forestry track and follow the footpath to Moss Dub. From here, our route takes us deeper into the Ennerdale valley, past a homestead and over several little tributaries that feed the R. Liza, before we reach the main bridge over it. At this point we cross over the river, and amble back along the north side of the valley back to the cars. Throughout the walk we are rewarded with stunning views of well-known hills, such as Great Gable, Pillar and Red Pike from aspects not frequently seen.

Wild Ennerdale: Although a natural lake, for years Ennerdale has been used as an industrial asset, principally as a reservoir for drinking water but also as a source of quick growing wood from the conifer trees (used in the construction of aircraft in the Second World War). With this as a backdrop, the Wild Ennerdale project was set up in 2003 to allow the evolution of Ennerdale as a wild valley for the benefit of people, relying more on natural processes to shape its landscape and ecology. Using a strategy of “managed retreat”, the project is making great strides in reverting this area back into wild land, and is now home to red squirrels, deer and several semi-wild herds of cattle.

Distance: Approx. 8 miles

Highest Point: It’s a fairly flat route, no real height gain to speak of

Grade: Easy end of moderate

Time: Approx. 4 – 5 hours

Notes: If the conditions are bad the leader reserves the right to modify the route or cancel the walk. If insufficient interest is shown in the walk it may be cancelled.

Contact: Please let Katie know by 6 pm on Saturday if you are coming on this walk (mobile 07709 318 941)

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