Great Gable

Great Gable

Western Lake District

Route: Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable and Great Gable

Area: Western Lake District

Date of walk: 12th May 2016

Walkers: Andrew

Distance: 7.6 miles

Ascent: 2,800 feet

Weather: warm and sunny, rather hazy

After making an early start I drove up the Honister Pass and parked at the Honister Slate Mine, well worth a visit in its own right. The climb up to Grey Knotts from the car park starts immediately and once at the top the next three fells can be seen in a line, with Great Gable at the far end

Once on the summit ridge there are a few easy ups and downs to the next two fells, Brandreth and Green Gable, with Great Gable looming ahead ever larger. I descended from Green Gable to Windy Gap, which was living up to its name today, and then started the short but steep climb up to Great Gable. Hands are needed in places but it’s not difficult, and is more of a clamber than a scramble. From the summit I walked west for a short distance in order to admire the view over Wasdale – although it was sunny, the light wasn’t very good and the valley wasn’t seen at its best

After the steep descent from the fell I made my way across to Moses Trod where a recent path diversion caused a little confusion, and I then walked back towards the mines and followed the track back to Honister Slate Mine

This is one of the classic walks in lakeland – I have fond memories of it from previous occasions and it didn’t disappoint today

For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box

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