Experience Magnificent Views of the Lake District on the Great Gable Walk
Embark on an unforgettable Great Gable walk, starting at Honister Slate Mine. Located on the B5289 Honister Pass road, between Rosthwaite and Buttermere in the Lake District, this starting point offers ample parking facilities. The route encompasses an exhilarating journey across four Wainwrights: Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable, and Great Gable, each offering its unique challenges and vistas.
The adventure kicks off with a challenging yet achievable steep ascent south from the Honister Slate Mine, leading you directly to the summit of Grey Knotts, the first Wainwright. After conquering Grey Knotts, the path directs you south-west towards Brandreth, marking the second Wainwright on your journey.
Continuing south, the walk takes you across the grassy expanse, descending to cross Gillercomb Head and then ascending to reach Green Gable, the third Wainwright. The route then dips into the col known as Windy Gap before tackling the south-westward climb up the rocky slopes of Great Gable to reach the summit, the fourth Wainwright.
Upon reaching the summit of Great Gable, take time to explore. Walk towards Westmorland Cairn and White Napes to discover captivating geological features and extraordinary views down to Wast Water, rewarding your efforts with unparalleled vistas.
The descent from Great Gable involves navigating the north-west slopes, carefully traversing rocky terrain and loose, slippery scree. Continue downwards to a path that veers east, skirting the impressive Gable Crag. The route then heads north, below Greengable Crag, and along Mosesʼ Trod, guiding you across the fells.
Concluding this 6-mile trek, the path gently slopes across the countryside, leading past Fleetwith and down a stone track past Bell Crags, returning to Honister Slate Mine. This Great Gable walk, though challenging, promises a memorable experience and a profound sense of achievement.
Great Gable Walk: Maps and Tools
Visit either the OS Maps website or the Outdooractive website to view this walking route in greater detail. Both platforms offer a range of features, including the ability to print the route, download it to your device, and export the route as a GPX file. You can also watch a 3D fly-over and share the route on social media.
Great Gable Walk: Distance, Duration, Statistics
Distance: 6 miles
Distance: 9¾ kilometres
Duration: 4 hours
Ascent: 2820 feet
Ascent: 860 metres
Type: Circular walk
About Great Gable
Great Gable is a mountain located in the Lake District, United Kingdom. Its name reflects its pyramid shape from Wasdale. However, from most other directions, it appears dome-shaped. It ranks among the most favoured of Alfred Wainwright’s Lake District Fells for walking. There are numerous paths leading to its summit. A high pass called Windy Gap connects Great Gable to its smaller counterpart, Green Gable. The lower pass of Beck Head links it to Kirk Fell to the west.
The Geographical Setting
Situated at Ennerdale’s head, Great Gable and Green Gable have the Sty Head pass behind them. This pass links Borrowdale with Wasdale, placing Great Gable at the heart of both valleys. Although the connection to Borrowdale is less direct, Great Gable’s prominence is undeniable from nearly any viewpoint along Ennerdale. The mountain’s upper reaches form a near-square shape, with sides about half a mile long. These sides align with the compass’s cardinal directions, with connecting fells and ridges at the square’s corners.
Great Gable Walk Landscape
Gable Crag creates the northern face, standing out in views from Haystacks and nearby fells. It presents the longest continuous crag on Great Gable, extending close to the summit. Scree slopes from here lead down to the River Liza’s source in Ennerdale. The eastern slopes, less craggy, descend steeply to Styhead Tarn. This tarn, around 30 feet deep, nestles in a hollow and is known for its trout population. It’s also a favoured spot for wild camping. The southern face drops sharply, 2300 feet down to Lingmell Beck. Below the summit, Westmorland Crags appear, followed by Kern Knotts, Raven Crag, and Great Napes, each ending in vast scree slopes. On the west, rough terrains lead down to White Napes and into the slender Gable Beck valley.
Ridge Connections and Features
A ridge extends to Kirk Fell from the north-west, crossing the Beck Head col. A small tarn, sometimes joined by another after rain, sits in this depression. Gable Beck flows south from Beck Head, while an unnamed stream heads north. The main western fells ridge stretches to Green Gable, then dips to Windy Gap near Gable Crag’s end. This ridge, eroded by countless Great Gable walkers, features Stone Cove and Aaron Slack gully. The south-eastern ridge, heading to the southern fells, passes Sty Head, a key crossroads for walkers. Opposite this, Great End sits within the Scafells, with Kern Knotts and Dry Tarn along the ridge. The south-western ridge descends via Gavel Neese, positioned between Lingmell and Gable Becks.
Great Gable Walk Summit
The summit features a rock outcrop and cairn marking the highest point. A plaque commemorates the Fell & Rock Climbing Club members lost in World War I. An annual Remembrance Sunday service honours them. The club donated 3000 acres, including Great Gable, to the National Trust in their memory. In 2013, the original bronze memorial was replaced, correcting spelling mistakes. The summit’s central location offers panoramic views across the Lake District. Wast Water and Windermere are visible lakes. Near the summit, the Westmorland Cairn highlights what some deem the Lake District’s best view. Additional cairns top Gable Crag. The summit has also become a chosen site for scattering ashes after cremation.
Recommended Ordnance Survey Map
The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the Lake District North-Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL4, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.
Standard Version
Great Gable Walk: My Photos
The view north-east from Gillercomb Head down into the valley between Base Brown (right) and Brandreth.
Gillercomb Head between Brandreth and Green Gable, about one-quarter of the way round the Great Gable walk. Great Gable is in the background on the right.
Walking in the Yorkshire Dales with 43 Circular Routes
AD This Cicerone guidebook includes 43 circular walks exploring valleys, hills, and moors between Kirkby Stephen and Pateley Bridge. With OS maps, local highlights, and routes ranging from 3–11 miles, it is a year-round companion for walkers of all abilities.
Looking north-west towards the Ennerdale valley. The River Liza flows through the valley to reach Ennerdale Water which can just be seen in the distance.
Grisport Unisex Adult Peaklander Hiking Boots
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The summit of Green Gable, height 801 metres (2628 feet), backed by Great Gable.
The Ennerdale valley as seen from Green Gable. Buttermere and Crummock Water are also visible on the right.
Grisport Unisex Adult Peaklander Hiking Boots
AD The Grisport Unisex Adult Peaklander Hiking Boots are crafted in Italy with a durable waxed leather upper, Spotex breathable lining, and a reliable Track-on rubber sole. Waterproof and weighing just 1120g, they offer comfort, resilience, and dependable performance on demanding trails.
Gable Crag on the north face of Great Gable.
The view south-east from Windy Gap down to Styhead Tarn and over to the higher Sprinkling Tarn.
Fifty Walks Across the Beautiful North York Moors National Park
AD Discover 50 routes across the North York Moors, from short easy strolls to challenging high-level hikes. With OS maps, route descriptions, and local highlights, it also includes the legendary 40-mile Lyke Wake Walk, described in four accessible stages.
Windy Gap, the col or saddle between Green Gable and Great Gable.
The mountain range which divides the Ennerdale valley and the Buttermere / Crummock Water valley includes, from front to back, Hay Stacks, High Crag, High Stile, Red Pike, Starling Dodd and Great Borne.
Fifty Walks Across the Beautiful North York Moors National Park
AD Discover 50 routes across the North York Moors, from short easy strolls to challenging high-level hikes. With OS maps, route descriptions, and local highlights, it also includes the legendary 40-mile Lyke Wake Walk, described in four accessible stages.
Another view of Styhead Tarn and Sprinkling Tarn. To the far left of the picture on the horizon are the knobbly peaks of Pike of Stickle and Harrison Stickle in the Langdale Fells.
The climb to the top of Great Gable.
Osprey Hikelite Unisex Backpack for Comfortable and Lightweight Hiking
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The summit of Great Gable, height 899 metres (2949 feet). The plaque attached to the rock reads as follows:
FELL & ROCK CLIMBING CLUB
IN GLORIOUS & HAPPY MEMORY OF THOSE
WHOSE NAMES ARE INSCRIBED BELOW-
MEMBERS OF THIS CLUB-WHO DIED FOR
THEIR COUNTRY IN THE EUROPEAN WAR
1914-1918 THESE FELLS WERE ACQUIRED
BY THEIR FELLOW-MEMBERS & BY THEM
VESTED IN THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR
THE USE & ENJOYMENT OF THE PEOPLE
OF OUR LAND FOR ALL TIME:
J.S.BAINBRIDGE: J.G.BEAN: H.S.P.BLAIR:
A.J.CLAY: J.N.FLETCHER: W.H.B.GROSS:
E.HARTLEY: S.W.HERFORD: S.F.JEFFCOAT:
E.B.LEES: S.J.LINZELL: L.J.OPPENHEIMER:
A.I.PRICHARD: A.M.RIMER: R.B.SANDERSON:
H.L.SLINGSBY: G.C.TURNER: B.H.WHITLEY:
J.H.WHITWORTH: C.S.WORTHINGTON.
Osprey Hikelite Unisex Backpack for Comfortable and Lightweight Hiking
AD The Osprey Hikelite backpack combines lightweight design with practical features, including a breathable mesh back panel, soft webbing straps, and stretch mesh water bottle pockets. With zipped storage and an organiser compartment, it is ideal for day hikes and outdoor use.
Wast Water as seen from Westmorland Cairn, one of the many highlights on this Great Gable walk.
Peak Bagging Wainwrights with Routes to Complete All Fells
AD This comprehensive guide offers 45 circular routes linking all 214 Wainwright fells. With maps, GPX downloads, elevation profiles, and practical advice, it provides efficient yet inspiring ways to complete this classic Lake District challenge at your own pace.
The view south from Westmorland Cairn towards Scafell Pike (centre, horizon). To the right of Scafell Pike is Sca Fell and to the left is Broad Crag and Ill Crag. Lingmell sits in front of Sca Fell.
Peak Bagging Wainwrights with Routes to Complete All Fells
AD This comprehensive guide offers 45 circular routes linking all 214 Wainwright fells. With maps, GPX downloads, elevation profiles, and practical advice, it provides efficient yet inspiring ways to complete this classic Lake District challenge at your own pace.
Looking west from Westmorland Cairn over to Kirk Fell, backed by Pillar.
Back on the top of Great Gable after our detour to Westmorland Cairn.
Berghaus Hillmaster II GTX Men's High Rise Hiking Boots
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Amazing views during the north-west descent of Great Gable, but care is needed as the steep mountainside is covered with loose, slippery scree. This is roughly the halfway point of the Great Gable walk.
Berghaus Hillmaster II GTX Men's High Rise Hiking Boots
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Kendal Mint Co Energy Gel with Citrus and Mint Flavour
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Looking back at Gable Crag from Moses’ Trod.
The mountain range on the southern (left) side of the Ennerdale valley includes, from front to back, Pillar, Black Crag and Scoat Fell.
Kendal Mint Co Energy Gel with Citrus and Mint Flavour
AD Kendal Mint Co energy gels deliver 27g of fast-absorbing carbohydrates plus electrolytes and B vitamins for improved performance. Vegan, gluten free, and Informed Sport certified, these caffeine-free gels are refreshing, easy to digest, and ideal for running, cycling, and endurance.
Buttermere and Crummock Water come back into view as we make our way over to Fleetwith. At this point we’re about three-quarters of the way round our Great Gable walk.
Thermos Stainless King Flask for Travel and Daily Adventures
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Honister Slate Mine, the last working slate mine in England. Quarrying for Westmorland green slate has been taking place in the area since 1728. Apart from the mining it is also a very popular tourist attraction in the Lake District.
