Green Gable

Green Gable

Green Gable rises to about 800 m at the head of Gillercomb in the Lake District's Western Fells. Great Gable stands close across Windy Gap, but this smaller summit makes a worthwhile destination of its own. The approach from Borrowdale climbs beside waterfalls into a hanging valley, then leaves the enclosed ground for an open, stony ascent. At the top, Great Gable's crags fill the near view while ridges and valleys open out to the north and west.

This is mountain walking rather than a gentle valley outing. Choosing a route means deciding how much rough ground, ascent and navigation the group can manage, not simply how many summits will fit into the day.

From Seathwaite through Gillercomb

The direct approach begins at Seathwaite Farm in Borrowdale. The path crosses the River Derwent and climbs beside Sourmilk Gill before entering Gillercomb. Beyond the steeper lower section, it works around Base Brown and gains the high ground between that fell and Green Gable. Stony paths then lead up to the summit.

The path beside the gill includes awkward rock steps where hands may be needed. It should not be confused with scrambling in the watercourse itself, which is a separate, more technical undertaking. Wet rock makes the approach less forgiving, and a return by the same path means descending those steps as well as climbing them.

For a Green Gable-only day, retrace the approach to Seathwaite. Allow plenty of time to negotiate the rocky steps on the way down, especially if the group includes anyone who finds scrambling descents difficult.

The Gillercomb horseshoe

A circuit from Seathwaite links Grey Knotts, Brandreth, Green Gable and Base Brown before returning beside Sourmilk Gill. This version uses Newhouse Gill on the outward climb and the north-eastern side of Base Brown on the descent. Allow about 8.9 km, 788 m of ascent and around five hours ten minutes for that complete circuit, before adding generous stops or any approach from Seatoller.

Despite its fairly compact distance, this is not a casual short walk. There are faint or indistinct sections on the first climb, and the rocky descent from Base Brown needs careful route-finding. A conspicuous gully is not the recommended descent. Take a detailed route description and suitable map rather than using the summit sequence alone as directions.

Combining Green Gable and Great Gable

A different Seathwaite circuit climbs through Gillercomb to Green Gable, crosses Windy Gap to Great Gable, then descends by Sty Head, Styhead Tarn and Stockley Bridge to the original start. This circuit is about 11.2 km with 825 m of ascent; allow roughly four to five hours, plus stops and extra time for slower progress on rough ground. Those figures cover both summits and that return route, not Green Gable alone.

The descent into Windy Gap and the rocky climb beyond change the character of the day. Great Gable requires further scrambling and careful navigation on its rocky upper ground. Make that decision while there is still enough daylight and energy for the entire descent. Stopping at Green Gable is a complete objective, not a reason to press on when conditions are worsening.

Summit and outlook

A cairn marks Green Gable's summit at NY214107. The top is an exposed place to pause, with grass and stones giving way to steeper ground around it. Keep track of the direction of the return path before cloud closes in.

Great Gable is the immediate landmark. In clear weather, the wider outlook includes Ennerdale, the High Stile range and the North Western Fells, with parts of Buttermere and Crummock Water visible beyond the intervening ridges. The eastern and southern panorama takes in the Glaramara ridge and the Scafell group. These are views to enjoy when visibility allows, not landmarks to rely on for navigation in mist.

Getting to the start

The National Trust asks visitors to ease parking pressure at Seathwaite. Keep the narrow lane, farm access and room for emergency vehicles clear, and use lawful spaces rather than assuming a verge is available. Seatoller has a National Trust car park and a bus stop. Check signs for current parking arrangements and charges.

The 78 bus connects Keswick with Seatoller. From there, the lane to Seathwaite Farm is about 2 km each way, adding roughly 4 km to a walk that starts and finishes at the farm. Include that extra distance and the last bus in the day's plan. Do not expect the bus to deliver you to Seathwaite itself.

Seatoller has toilets, but the National Trust warns that they are often closed during winter. Bring food and drinking water with you; streams and tarns are not a dependable source of safe drinking water. Keep dogs on a lead through the farm and around livestock.

Conditions and preparation

Check a mountain forecast before choosing the day's route. Strong wind, low cloud and rain can make the high ground much harder than it appears from the valley. Heavy rainfall can also make streams dangerous to cross. Turn back rather than attempting a crossing or rocky step beyond the group's ability.

Carry warm and waterproof layers, suitable footwear and reliable navigation, with enough daylight for the descent. Snow and ice demand winter skills and equipment; summer walking times and difficulty descriptions do not apply unchanged. Leave the planned route and return time with someone, and be prepared to shorten the day if progress is slower than expected.