Ennerdale western fell walking paths 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.
A hard mountain walk to the summit from Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale.
Ennerdale western fell walking paths starts at about 113 m and gains 806 m over 9.1 km to 755 m on the track. The first 5 km are the easy part, averaging 0%. The steepest kilometre is the one ending at 9 km, which climbs 241 m at an average of 24%, with a 500 m stretch from 5.6 km at about 38%. The final 0.1 km eases to the top. About 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5, so expect hands-on-knees going and a slow descent.
Ennerdale western fell walking paths at a glance
| Distance | 9.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Climb on the track | 806 m up, 163 m down on the way |
| Start and top of the track | 113 m to 758 m (summit 819 m) |
| Steepest 500 m | About 38%, from 5.6 km |
| Steeper than 1 in 5 | 22% of the way |
| Grade | Hard |
| Start | Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 085 153 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 157 116 |
| Parking | Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale |
Ennerdale western fell walking paths map
The track from the start (green) to the summit (blue), with a marker at each kilometre.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Download the Ennerdale western fell walking paths GPX
Ascent only: plan your way down. A planning track, not checked on the ground; it doesn't show safe scrambling moves. Track data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), heights from a terrain model.
Ennerdale western fell walking paths kilometre by kilometre
Height, climb and average gradient for each kilometre of the track, with a grid reference at the end of each one to check your position on the map.
| At | Height | Climb | Gradient | Grid ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 km | 143 m | +30 m | 3% | NY 094 150 |
| 2 km | 117 m | -27 m | -3% | NY 103 147 |
| 3 km | 116 m | -1 m | 0% | NY 111 142 |
| 4 km | 116 m | +0 m | 0% | NY 120 139 |
| 5 km | 127 m | +11 m | 1% | NY 130 138 |
| 6 km | 317 m | +191 m | 19% | NY 135 133 |
| 7 km | 417 m | +100 m | 10% | NY 144 129 |
| 8 km | 513 m | +96 m | 10% | NY 152 125 |
| 9 km | 754 m | +241 m | 24% steep | NY 157 117 |
| 9.1 km | 755 m | +0 m | 1% | NY 157 116 |
How long Ennerdale western fell walking paths takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 2h 35m | 4h 5m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 3h 10m | 5h 0m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 3h 55m | 6h 10m |
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.
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 Ennerdale western fell walking paths: 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 Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Ennerdale western fell walking paths up Caw Fell
- Ennerdale Water via the pinnacles up Crag Fell
- Ennerdale western fell walking paths up Haycock
- Ennerdale western fell walking paths up Scoat Fell
- Ennerdale western fell walking paths up Little Gowder Crag
- Ennerdale western fell walking paths up Iron Crag
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 |
| Ennerdale via the north ridge | 7.7 km one way | 727 m | 2h 45m | Hard |
| Overbeck western walking paths via Dore Head | 6.2 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 085 153, 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 western fell walking paths: questions and answers
How far is Ennerdale western fell walking paths?
Ennerdale western fell walking paths is 9.1 km one way to the summit of Steeple. There and back by the same way is about 18.2 km.
How steep is Ennerdale western fell walking paths?
The steepest 500 m averages about 38%, starting 5.6 km from the start, and 22% of the way is steeper than 1 in 5. Ennerdale western fell walking paths climbs 806 m in all on the track.
Where do you park for Ennerdale western fell walking paths?
Ennerdale western fell walking paths starts from Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale. The grid reference is NY 085 153. Bleach Green car park, Ennerdale
Is Ennerdale western fell walking paths 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.
Is there a GPX for Ennerdale western fell walking paths?
Yes. Download it from this page. It is an ascent-only planning track from the start to the summit, plotted on OpenStreetMap paths and not checked on the ground.