Steeple (819m), Scoat Fell (841m) and Pillar (892m) from Ennerdale - 17/09/2019
DIstance: 18km (10km on bike); Ascent: 900m; Time: 5h15m (probably add 1h30m without the bike)
Pillar is one of the more difficult of the Cumbrian Hills to access. Parking by Bowness Knott on Ennerdale Water involves a 5km walk along the lake shore and then through pine forest before the ascent is started (and later retracing of this route in the reverse direction). I have previously done it from Gatesgarth on Buttermere via the Scarth Gap pass, black sail hut and Looking Stead - but then you have to reascend to Scarth Gap on the return. It could also be included on a circuit from Wast Water, but the only time I have thought of doing this I stopped at Scoat Fell. With the use of a bike access from Ennerdale Water is relatively easy.
Once on the ridge the route follows a fairly clear path up Long Crag to Steeple. After a small descent and a short ascent the nondescript summit of Scoat Fell could easily be overlooked as you head on around the edge of Black Crag. There is a bit of a scramble here up Black Crag and then down into Windy Gap (which was not living up to its name today). There is further easy scrambling on the climb out of Windy Gap towards Pillar. The Summit of Pillar is a grassy dome with a trig point. There is very steep descent past the impressive Pillar Rock, but I opted for the more gradual descent via White Pike. The first 200m (vertical) is not straightforward as the path is often lost as it crosses rock, loose stone and scree. After this the going is easier on boggy grass and eventually joins the clearer path from/to Windy Gap. Stay above the fence line as you cross High Beck on boulders; the path soon crosses the fence on the far side. Descending through dark pine you reach a forest track which leads to a walking track that rejoins the ascent route. The forestry here was dark even on a bright sunny afternoon - it might pose some problems if you stay out long enough to return at dusk.