After an early wake-up thanks to jet lag (still not our friend!), we packed our bags and enjoyed breakfast before setting off for our second day on Wainwright’s Coast to Coast.
Today’s packs felt noticeably heavier than yesterday. Because we were staying at the remote Ennerdale Youth Hostel, our luggage couldn’t be transferred, so everything we needed had to be carried on our backs.
Over Dent Fell
We left at around 7:50 a.m. and soon rejoined the Coast to Coast trail. Our main climb for the day was Dent Fell, with around 380 metres of elevation gain.
It was quite windy on the summit, but the views were worth it. Looking back across the countryside and seeing where we’d already walked was a wonderful reminder that the journey had truly begun.
📷 Photo: View from the summit of Dent Fell
The path then wound through towering ferns, some of them well above our heads, with sheep seemingly around every corner. The Lake District was already beginning to show its character
.📷 Photo: Walking through the ferns
Lunch in Ennerdale Bridge
We arrived in Ennerdale Bridge just in time for lunch and stopped at The Gather, a lovely café that also happened to sell ice cream and Jelly Babies—always a winning combination for hungry walkers!
After lunch we weren’t in a hurry, so we lingered for a while before continuing to Ennerdale Water.
A Refreshing End to the Walk
The walk around the lake was mostly flat, and by now the sun had made an appearance. We found a bench by the water where I couldn’t resist taking off my boots and dipping my feet into the lake. It was incredibly refreshing after a morning on the trail.
📷 Photo: Ennerdale Water
We reached Ennerdale YHA around 4:00 p.m. and celebrated with a sparkling water from the honesty box before check-in opened at 5:00.
One small victory for the day—I was allocated a bottom bunk!
Dinner was spaghetti and meatballs, and one of the best parts of staying in hostels is meeting other walkers. We ended up chatting with our table mates for well over an hour, swapping stories and comparing experiences from the trail. It’s amazing how quickly strangers become friends when you’re all sharing the same adventure.
Reflections
Today felt like our first real taste of the Coast to Coast. We carried heavier packs, enjoyed our first Lake District summit, soaked up some sunshine beside Ennerdale Water, and finished the day surrounded by fellow walkers with plenty of stories to share. A wonderful day from start to finish.—
Today’s Stats
Route: Cleator to Ennerdale YHA
Distance: Approximately 22 km
Elevation Gain: ~380 m
Weather: Windy on the summit, sunny by the lake
Highlight: Cooling tired feet in Ennerdale Water
Accommodation: Ennerdale Youth Hostel