Ennerdale via the north ridge up Steeple: route map, distance and time
819 m · Cumbria
Steeple is a pointed rocky top beside Scoat Fell, rising from Ennerdale with a narrow ridge linking it to the main fell.
Walk through the forest along Ennerdale and climb the steep north ridge on rough ground to the summit.
Ennerdale via the north ridge at a glance
| Distance | 7.7 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 727 m |
| Time up | 2h 45m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 4h 20m, down the same way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Bowness Knott car park, Ennerdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 112 155 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 157 116 |
Ennerdale via the north ridge map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
How long the Ennerdale via the north ridge takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 15m | 3h 30m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 2h 45m | 4h 20m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 25m | 5h 20m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08. Start by 12:48 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 12:46 to be down before dark, allowing 4h 20m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Steeple summit weather for this route
-
Good Today Sunday 18 October
Partly cloudy, up to 6°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -5°C, summit wind 12 mph gusting 15 mph, 0% chance of rain. Rated Good. Sunrise 07:47, sunset 18:08.
-
Poor Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Light drizzle, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -2°C, summit wind 43 mph gusting 53 mph, 49% chance of rain. Rated Poor. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
Best day of the next seven for the Ennerdale via the north ridge: Sunday 18 October, with summit gusts around 15 mph and a 0% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Steeple forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Steeple?
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -5°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- Microspikes for icy paths. In snow, an ice axe and crampons and the skills to use them.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Steeple
Steeple is a pointed rocky top beside Scoat Fell, rising from Ennerdale with a narrow ridge linking it to the main fell. More about Steeple, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Scoat Fell (841 m), 0.3 km south-east
- Black Crag (828 m), 0.8 km east
- Red Pike (826 m), 1.3 km south-east
- Pillar (892 m), 1.4 km east
- Haycock (797 m), 1.6 km south-west
- Pillar Rock (780 m), 1.6 km north-east
Challenges that include Steeple
More walks from Bowness Knott car park, Ennerdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Bowness Knott via Great Borne and Starling Dodd up Great Borne
- Bowness Knott via Great Borne and Starling Dodd up Red Pike
- Ennerdale via Steeple up Scoat Fell
- Bowness Knott via Great Borne and Starling Dodd up Starling Dodd
Other routes up Steeple
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time up | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell | 5.5 km one way | 808 m | 2h 25m | Moderate |
| Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head | 6.2 km one way | — | — | Hard |
| Ennerdale western fell walking paths | 9.1 km one way | — | — | Hard |
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 112 155, the summit at NY 157 116), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Ennerdale via the north ridge: questions and answers
How far is the Ennerdale via the north ridge?
The Ennerdale via the north ridge is 7.7 km one way to the summit of Steeple, with 727 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 15.4 km.
How long does the Ennerdale via the north ridge take?
About 2h 45m to the summit of Steeple and 4h 20m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 5h 20m for the round trip.
Where do you park for the Ennerdale via the north ridge?
The Ennerdale via the north ridge starts from Bowness Knott car park, Ennerdale. The grid reference is NY 112 155.
Is the Ennerdale via the north ridge suitable for beginners?
Not as a first mountain. Peakify grades it Hard: steep, rough ground where a slip matters. Build up on an easier route first, such as Wasdale Head via Scoat Fell.
What time should I start the Ennerdale via the north ridge today?
By 12:48 at the latest. Sunset on Steeple today is 18:08, The Ennerdale via the north ridge takes about 4h 20m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for the Ennerdale via the north ridge?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).