How deep is Wastwater?

Wastwater is 79 metres deep, making it the deepest lake in England. The screes on its southeastern shore continue dropping underwater at steep angles that extend well beyond what you can see from the surface.

Can you walk around Wastwater?

Technically yes, but there's no easy circular path. The northwestern shore has a decent path, but the southeastern side involves scrambling over unstable screes that's genuinely unpleasant even if you like that sort of thing. Most people treat it as an out-and-back walk instead.

Which fells have the best views of Wastwater?

Middle Fell offers the full Wastwater panorama and is relatively straightforward to climb at 582 metres. Great Gable at the head of the valley also gives you stunning views straight down the length of the lake, though it's a proper mountain climb at 899 metres.

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Wastwater: The One That's Almost Honest

Wastwater calls itself a 'water' and actually means it, which is refreshingly straightforward by Lake District standards. It's the deepest, coldest, and least interested in pretending to be something it isn't.

5 July 20269 min read