Wastwater

Driving the narrow road that hugs the western shore of Wastwater, one cannot help but be impressed by the mountains that mass and plunge steeply into the lake along the eastern shore. England's deepest lake - reaching 50 feet below sea level from a surface at least 200 feet above sea level - sits at the foot of Scafell Pike, at 3,209 feet, England's highest mountain. It is only one of the giants lowering above Wastwater. Other giants include:

• Scafell - 3,163 ft
• Great End - 2,986 ft
• Bow Fell - 2,959 ft
• Great Gable - 2,949 ft
• Fell Kirk - 2,691 ft
• Pillar - 2,926 ft

Mountains hovering around the 3,000-foot mark may not seem like much compared to the Alps or the Rockies, but the open, bulk of the Lake District Peaks and their bleak, treeless aspect make Wastwater an awe inspiring place.