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1st May 2009 - by Pete Buckley
  
The English Lake District - A Hikers Guide to Great Gable
  
The iconic peak of Great Gable, a favorite of many Lakeland fellwalkers and the centrepiece of "Britain's Favorite View" is a rewarding objective for the walker visiting the Lake District. The 2949 foot (899m) summit is situated in the west of Lakeland and it is from that side of the region or from centrally situated Borrowdale, that most of the ascent routes go. Here is a quick outline of some of the main walking routes and their individual qualities.

A popular route is that from Seathwaite at the head of Borrowdale which is the same start point as for Scafell Pike. A wide path continues up the Borrowdale valley from Seathwaite which is as far as you can drive, and climbs via Stockley Bridge to Sty Head Pass - the walkers path to Wasdale Head. On reaching Sty Head a well marked but in places eroded path climbs the steep slopes to the right. This route is rough and stony for much of the way up but is the most direct route from Sty Head and while it is constantly steep, there are no difficulties - the places where you may need to use your hands near the top only barely qualifying as scrambles.

From Wasdale Head where you get the best views of Great Gable, the last part of the route is the same, the only difference is that you ascend to Sty Head from the Wasdale side instead of from Borrowdale. A look upwards from Wasdale Head or the lower part of the Sty Head path reveals that any direct routes from here are very steep and rough for most of their lengths and to climb the peak by any of them would only involve finding this out the hard way!

If you do find yourself at Beck Head, between Kirk Fell and Great Gable though, a rewarding ascent is to follow the path - with views down into the wild region of Upper Ennerdale - to Windy Gap (between great Gable and Green Gable) and ascend the peak from there following the last part of the Honister Route which I shall outline next.

The route from Honister Pass is easier and more varied than those already mentioned, starting at nearly 1200 feet above sea level and having good open views throughout - weather permitting that is. A well marked trail leads from the pass and crosses open fellsides with wonderful views down the Buttermere Valley, and climbs steadily to the summit of Green Gable which itself is a good viewpoint. The path dips briefly down to Windy Gap and ascends in easy scrambles to the summit. This last stretch is the only steep or rough part to the route andI would say that this is the easiest route up Great Gable.

Finally I will also mention here a route I've not actually done but which looks well worth investigating. A path ascends from Seathwaite up into the hanging valley of Gillercombe rather than to Sty Head Pass. This route joins up with the Honister path in its latter stages ascending Green Gable on its way to the summit. One for the next trip to the Lakes there - I'll let you know what it's like.

Source: http://articlesabroad.com

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