Great Gable
Good walks are even better shared.
Overview
Great Gable is an 899 m Wainwright and Marilyn in the Lake District’s Western Fells. Approaches from Wasdale, Borrowdale, Honister and Ennerdale lead into steep, rocky mountain terrain.
Route planning
Choose a complete mapped itinerary, check conditions and allow extra time for your group. Steep rock and scrambling make these mountain outings demanding.
Seathwaite via Sty Head, out and back: Reach Sty Head by Stockley Bridge and Styhead Tarn, climb the Breast Route, then retrace the whole route to Seathwaite. Ascent, descent.
Honister: Great Gable via Beck Head; return over Green Gable, Brandreth and Grey Knotts to Honister. Circuit.
Wasdale Head via Beck Head, out and back: Climb by Burnthwaite, Moses Trod and the north-west ridge. Retrace the ridge and valley path to Wasdale Head. Ascent, descent.
Seathwaite: Add Base Brown and Green Gable before Great Gable; return through Sty Head and Stockley Bridge. Circuit.
Summit and landscape
The highest point is rock at 898.8 m, with a cairn and the Fell and Rock Climbing Club memorial plaque in the summit area. Summit data. In clear weather, views include Wastwater and the Scafell range; Westmorland Cairn below the summit is another viewpoint. Summit and views.
The mountain contains Ordovician rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, including volcanic tuffs and lavas. The Lingmell Tuff Formation and Scafell Dacite are among the rocks found here. BGS geology.
Name and remembrance
The name describes the mountain’s gable-like shape, combining English “great” with the Old Norse word for gable. Place-name account.
The Fell and Rock Climbing Club gave land including Great Gable to the National Trust in memory of members killed in the First World War. The summit memorial was unveiled on 8 June 1924. Land-gift history, memorial history.
Access and facilities
Wasdale Head Green and Lake Head car park are separate starting points; toilets are at Lake Head. Honister and Seatoller have designated parking. Check local charges and notices, keeping farm and emergency access clear. Wasdale, Borrowdale.
Refreshments at the Wasdale Head Inn depend on opening hours. Inn.
For Borrowdale, the 78 connects Keswick with Seatoller; allow for the walk to Seathwaite. Honister buses and the separate Wasdale Explorer are seasonal. Check operating dates and the last return. Keswick buses, Wasdale Explorer.
Safety
Steep paths, loose rock, boulders and short scrambling sections can be difficult in rain, high winds or poor visibility. Choose an appropriate route and be ready to turn back. Check a mountain forecast. National Park walking safety.
Carry a map and compass you can use, suitable clothing, food, water, a torch and emergency equipment. Snow and ice can turn a summer walk into a winter mountaineering undertaking requiring appropriate skills, an ice axe and crampons. Mobile reception is unreliable. In an emergency call 999 or 112, ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue. Mountain Rescue advice.
Explore routes near Great Gable
Public walks starting within 80 km of this hill. Nearby does not mean a route reaches the summit; check its map and access before setting out.
Scafell Pike from Seathwaite via the Corridor Route
View route
Scafell Pike via Brown Tongue and Hollow Stones
View route
Great Carrs Halifax Wreckage from Wrynose Pass
View route
Derwentwater Walk: full lakeside circuit from Keswick
View route
Route planning notes
These notes describe possible approaches, not verified navigable routes or permission to cross land. Check current paths, local access rules and conditions before setting out.
Seathwaite via Sty Head: out and back
Walk from Seathwaite by Stockley Bridge and Styhead Tarn to Sty Head. Climb the rocky Breast Route to Great Gable, then retrace the whole route to Seathwaite.
Honister four-fell circuit
Take the tramway to the Drum House, then Moses Trod to Beck Head and Great Gable. Return over Green Gable, Brandreth and Grey Knotts, descending via the Drum House to Honister. Allow about 5 hours 40 minutes.
Wasdale Head via Beck Head: out and back
From Wasdale Head Green, pass Burnthwaite Farm and climb Moses Trod across Gavel Neese to Beck Head. Ascend the rocky north-west ridge to Great Gable. Return by the same ridge and valley path, with care on loose rock and scrambling steps.
Seathwaite, Base Brown and the Gables
Climb Sour Milk Gill and Gillercomb, detour to Base Brown, then cross Green Gable and Windy Gap to Great Gable. Descend to Sty Head and return by Styhead Tarn and Stockley Bridge to Seathwaite.
Make a day of it, together
Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.
Photo Gallery
View all
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NY2110 : Great Gable in Partial Shadow
Steve Partridge
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NY2110 : Scafell Pike above the clouds
Dave Thompson
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NY2110 : Heading off Great Gable
Dave Thompson
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NY2110 : Great Gable from Middle Fell
Karl and Ali
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NY2110 : Scafell Pike
Dave Thompson
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NY2110 : Great Gable from Haystacks
Anthony Parkes
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NY2110 : Boat How Crags catching the sun from the summit of Gable
Matthew Hatton
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NY2110 : Great Gable Summit
Anthony Foster
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NY2110 : Great Gable Summit
Anthony Foster
NY2110 : Great Gable from Lingmell
Michael Earnshaw
Hill facts and local notes
Classifications
Elevation
899m
2,949 ft
Prominence
426m
Coordinates
54.4821, -3.2193
NY211103
OS Map
89 90
Explorer: OL4S OL6N
At the Summit
The highest point is rock, with a cairn and the Fell and Rock Climbing Club war-memorial plaque in the summit area.
Terrain & Geology
Great Gable contains Ordovician rocks of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group, including volcanic tuffs and lavas. The Lingmell Tuff Formation and Scafell Dacite are among the rocks found on the mountain.
Views & Scenery
In clear weather there are views towards Wastwater, the Scafell range and surrounding Lakeland fells. Westmorland Cairn below the summit is a notable viewpoint; cloud can obscure the panorama.
History & Heritage
Name Origin
The name describes its gable-like shape, combining English “great” with Old Norse “gafl”, meaning gable.
Historical Significance
The Fell and Rock Climbing Club gave land including Great Gable to the National Trust in memory of members killed in the First World War. The summit memorial plaque was unveiled on 8 June 1924.
Getting There & Facilities
Check current local access restrictions, parking rules and transport timetables before travelling. These notes do not confirm public access to the summit.
Parking
Match parking to your route: Wasdale Head Green, Honister Pass or the Seathwaite approach in Borrowdale. The National Trust Lake Head car park at NY182075 is separate from Wasdale Head Green at about NY186084 and changes the walking distance. Check current charges, availability and restrictions; keep gates, farm access and emergency routes clear.
Public Transport
The 78 bus links Keswick and Seatoller for Borrowdale approaches; allow for the onward walk to Seathwaite. Honister services 77/77A are seasonal. The separate Wasdale Explorer serves Wasdale from the west seasonally; check announced operating dates and do not assume it is running. Check current timetables and the last return.
Nearby Facilities
National Trust toilets are at Lake Head car park, a separate location from Wasdale Head Green. The Wasdale Head Inn offers refreshments subject to opening hours. Carry sufficient food, water and emergency supplies for the full mountain outing.
Safety Information
Known Hazards
- Steep rocky paths, loose scree and boulders require care. Approaches via Beck Head and Windy Gap include scrambling sections; wet or icy rock increases the risk of a fall.
- Strong winds, cold and poor visibility can make navigation difficult. Use a complete mapped route, avoid improvising descents into crags and carry equipment for an unplanned delay. Mobile reception is unreliable.
Seasonal Hazards
Snow and ice can turn summer routes into winter mountaineering terrain. Appropriate winter skills, an ice axe and crampons may be essential. Check mountain forecasts and allow for short daylight; conditions on the summit can be much harsher than in the valleys.
General Safety Tips
- Check weather conditions before setting out
- Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
- Let someone know your planned route
- Take a map, compass, and GPS device
- Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch
Hills
Some common questions about the hills answered
Are there group walks up Great Gable?
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Great Gable through the maps
Are there other walkers around Great Gable?
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Great Gable search or of course create your own walk for Great Gable
Can I organise a walk to Great Gable?
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Great Gable.
How do I find a walk up this hill?
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Can I suggest a new route up Great Gable?
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Great Gable here
The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?
We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible
Community Discussion
Comments
Location
Grid reference: NY211103
View on OpenStreetMapOpens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.
Hills within 30 km
Straight-line distance, not a walking route or confirmation of access.
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