Great Gable from Honister

Difficulty : HardDuration : 6.5 HrsDistance : 14.5 Km

Great Gable stands at a massive 899M and is one of England tallest mountains. It is also quite unique with its steep sides and flat summit. This trek is quite demanding and includes parts of Borrowdale which is one of the Lake Districts most beautiful areas. Great care and the right equipment is recommended in bad weather or cloud cover on the summit. The views from the summit are simply breath taking with great views all round of the whole Lake District and its highest areas. The views of Ennerdale and Buttermere are also fantastic on the ascent. The path towards Great Gable from Honister is also known as Moses Trod, named after an old quarry worker at the Honister Slate quarry. A challenging and rewarding trek.

Full route description for this walk

After following the road from Keswick past Derwentwater and through Borrowdale you will get to the small village of Seatoller keep on the road past Seatoller and enter the Honister pass road. Make a note of the effort required by your vehicle to get up this first hill as your legs will be trying the same steep climb in several hours time. Once you get to the Honister Slate Mine pull into the free car park and you are at the start of this hard and challenging trek.

Honister Slate Mine

Slate Mine Train Engine

The slate mine is a great little place, full of industrial history which some only relate to the welsh mountains. It may be worth if you have the time, taking a look in the shop here and if your lucky enough see one of the slate workers tiling the slate.

From the slate mine car park take the track which leads directly west up and away from the car park. This track is not quite as easy as it looks and is a very strenuous way to start any trek. Once at the top of the track yo will be able to see on your left the marshy top of Fleetwith on which a mound of rocks is laid to carry the old incline from the mine. Head towards this mound and in front of you you'll see the path follow round the Grey Knotts as it passes round its right side.

Buttermere

Steep Ascent

Follow this path alongside the Grey Knotts and to your right you should be able to see the slate mine with the beautiful view of Buttermere behind. Follow the path towards the summit of Brandreth. If you end up following the path round Brandreth then once you find the wooden fence, simply stop at this point an follow the fence upwards towards the top of Brandreth and take one of the two stiles over the fence near the summit. You should then be on track from Brandreth and heading in the direction of Green Gable and Great Gable.

You should now head down the slope towards the bottom of Green Gable. At this point go to the right and take the upwards sloping path that goes round the side of Green Gable and don't take the path up Green Gable. The path follows round and under Green Gable and the views that are seen from this section of Ennerdale are breath taking. The path leads higher towards Great Gable and then eventually will come to an end. At this point you will see the path leads to the left and now the fun starts with a hard but satisfying walk and scramble up a steep path to the summit. Keep climbing and follow the shiny trodden on rock to the summit if Great Gable. Once you reach the summit, you will either be looking at some of the best vies possible of the highest peaks in England or be cursing the grey clouds.

Great Gable

Memorial Cairn

At the summit you will find the cairn which is dedicated to the members of the fell and rock climbing club, who died in the European war. This is quite a lofty 899M high summit but is not typical of most summits in the area as it has a unique flat top.

Take the path South East off the summit. This path is well marked with small rock piles at first then turns into a well maintained path that will lead you down to Sty Head. Once at the bottom of this path you'll see the Stretcher box, at this point turn left towards the Styhead Tarn and follow the path into Styhead Gill valley, the path crosses Styhead Gill at a wooden footbridge, take this route until you get to the waterfalls in the gill. These waterfalls are a sudden drop in the gill and Borrowdale can now be seen in the valley below. At the waterfalls cross the gill and follow the not so obvious path down the other side of the gill. This will follow the gill down and towards the small forest. Once at the forest keep on the path and eventually you will look to your right and see one of the most surprising and delightful sights I've ever seen on a walk. The Taylorgill Force Waterfall is a hidden gem of the Lake District and due to you leaving the main path and coming this way down you get the best possible view.

Styhead Tarn

Taylor Gill Force

Now follow the path down through the gate and towards Borrowdale. The more popular path can be seen across the valley, however stick to this path. Eventually after crossing a few fields you will get to the wooden bridge where the Sourmilk Gill waterfalls can be seen on the left and after a good few days rain should be explored. Go over the bridge that passes the campsite and heads towards the buildings at Seathwaite. The cafe at Seathwaite is a great little stop. The refreshments here are second to none. Bacon butties and drinks are a big treat and well deserved. After exploring Seathwaite follow the road which will lead out and back to Seatoller, this road can get quite busy in the summer but the views of the Borrowdale Fells are worthy. The river that goes under the road here can often dry up in the summer and go underground making for a very bizarre sight at the bridge.

Seathwaite

Honister Pass Road

You'll eventually get to the village of Seatoller. The small pub here is a great place for refreshments and the Art Gallery is also worth a visit. Now follow the 1 in 4 hill towards the Honister Pass. Be warned however that this road will seem to last forever and is very steep. The road will eventually flatten out and the mine will be in view.