Great Borne: 616m Height, Walks and Ennerdale Views

Great Borne stands above the western end of Ennerdale, a broad, rocky fell with a much steeper face towards the lake than its rounded summit might suggest. At 616m, it offers a substantial outing without the height of the larger Western Fells. Its appeal lies in that position: open country towards the coast, the Loweswater fells nearby, and Ennerdale stretching into the high ground.

A rocky summit above Ennerdale

Great Borne rises to 616m (2,021ft), with its summit at grid reference NY123163. The top is broad and stony rather than a narrow peak, and a trig pillar provides a clear landmark. Seen from Ennerdale, however, the fell has a more forceful outline: steep, broken slopes rise above the lower ground around Bowness Knott, which stands beneath it towards the lake.

The views explain much of its attraction. Ennerdale Water lies below, with the valley drawing the eye eastwards towards higher fells. Pillar is a prominent presence across Ennerdale, while the outlook west reaches towards the coastal plain and Irish Sea. This contrast between enclosed dale and open western horizon gives Great Borne a distinct character, even among neighbours with higher summits.

Great Borne in the Western Fells

Great Borne belongs to The Western Fells, the seventh book in Alfred Wainwright’s series of pictorial guides. It ranks 126th by height among the 214 Wainwrights. Its position is particularly useful for understanding this part of the district: it stands at the western end of the ridge that continues through Starling Dodd towards Red Pike and the High Stile range above Ennerdale and Buttermere.

Starling Dodd is its immediate Wainwright neighbour along that ridge. Hen Comb, Gavel Fell and Blake Fell occupy the country to the north and north-west, linking the outlook with the Loweswater group. Floutern Tarn sits below Great Borne’s northern side, beneath the surrounding slopes. Together, these features place the fell between the rugged scenery of Ennerdale and the more rounded outlines of the fells farther north.

Walking context and character

The Ennerdale side, including the area around Bowness Knott, is a recognised starting area for walks on Great Borne. The fell is also commonly combined with Starling Dodd, making use of their shared ridge. Those considering a longer day can look to the wider ridge system, but the distances and accumulated ascent deserve attention: the summit height alone does not describe the demands of an outing here.

Great Borne’s distinction is its setting rather than a single celebrated scramble or sharp summit profile. Its rocky upper ground, steep Ennerdale flank and broad views reward time spent looking around. As elsewhere in the Western Fells, cloud can remove those visual bearings, so a dedicated route guide, map and suitable navigation skills remain important.

Where Great Borne stands

Summit at grid reference NY123163 · open full map

The real Great Borne

Walking Great Borne

We make artwork, not route guides — these are the guides we'd point a friend to:

• 2451 Great Borne – Hill Bagging (hill-bagging.co.uk)
• Great Borne & Starling Dodd from Ennerdale (mountaincowardadventures.wordpress.com)
• Starling Dodd & Great Borne via Scale Force from Buttermere (getlostmountaineering.co.uk)

Weather on Great Borne

Conditions estimated at summit height (616 m) via Open-Meteo. For a walker's forecast, use the Mountain Weather Information Service.

Great Borne on your wall

A painting of Great Borne can bring home the contrast that defines it: rough fell ground above the long reach of Ennerdale Water. As a print or canvas, that familiar outline offers a quiet connection to days spent walking the western side of the Lakes.

Own “Vibrant Fields Below Great Borne” — our painting of Great Borne → or browse all Fells & Mountains artwork

Neighbouring Wainwrights in The Western Fells

• Hen Comb 506 m
• Gavel Fell 524 m
• Starling Dodd 633 m
• Blake Fell 573 m

Part of our guide to all 214 Wainwrights — see the full index.