There is little doubt that Great Gable is in the view of many people the finest of all the fells. It is certainly one of the very few fells that can claim it presents a commanding presence from wherever it appears in a view. Apart from this the fell also has the necessary qualities of outline and sterility that together mark the finest mountains above the rest. Great Gable is instantly recognised when it is seen, and no true fellwalker would begrudge the rough going involved in reaching the hallowed summit. Here each year a memorial service is held to remind us of the fallen in the great wars, and that we are able to persue such enjoyable leisure activities because of their sacrifices. Great Gable was chosen for this ceremony, and also by the National Park to feature as it's emblem. All this has drawn people to the mountain in large numbers, and the paths are now in a poor state; not just on Gable but throughout the group. The seeming need of some to create short cuts, and even direct lines up or over fragile ground, has left scars that take away that feeling so important that we are walking in relatively unspoilt territory. That was always a source of expectation when the day began and the first steps were taken away from hamlets and fields into the wild. The slopes of Great Gable fall towards Wasdale and Ennerdale but do not reach the valley floor in either case being cut off by supporting fells, and it has no foothold at all in Borrowdale. This does not concern it's admirers who point to the mountains finer features like the Napes crags and the famous needle. West of Gable lies the bulky Kirk Fell which in any other company would attract more people; while high ground continues north eastwards over Green Gable to Brandreth and Grey Knotts. These have no great claim to fame but lower down above Buttermere on the western side are two fells that certainly do. Fleetwith Pike has a fine ridge falling to Gatesgarth, and the views down into Honister Pass are tremendous. Haystacks it's neighbour is loved by all fellwalkers with a chaotic mix of dark heathery rises and beautiful tarns of all sizes. This is a place to savour, and from here the majesty of Pillar and Great Gable can be appreciated while High Crag makes a noble picture from the summit. The craggy Base Brown reached from Seathwaite up the steep path by Sour Milk Ghyll completes this compact popular group. Here too the goal and magnet for most will be Great Gable.

 ROUTE ONE. GREAT GABLE FROM HONISTER VIA GREY KNOTTS, BRANDRETH AND GREEN GABLE.
2.75 miles 2200ft of ascent.

   The path to Grey Knotts is signed at the National Trust car park behind the Youth Hostel, and passes through the quarry workings before climbing steeply and roughly by the fence. No other advice is needed it is so simple. Visit both tops on Grey Knotts before continuing by the fence to Brandreth. Leave in the same direction down a rock and boulder strewn slope to join the main track from the Drum House which has avoided the first two tops. A steady ascent up the ridge for half a mile leads to Green Gable; which is totally dominated by the impressive Gable Crag yet has a fine view down to Ennerdale and Pillar. There is a short descent to Windy Gap followed by a scramble up rocks denuded after generations of walkers have come this way to Great Gable one of Lakeland's most popular mountains. The rocks give way to stones which persist all the way to the summit where a final rock outcrop with it's memorial plaque will be busy with visitors having lunch or a well deserved rest. To vary the descent go down the steep north west ridge with care to Beck Head, and turn right along Moses Trod for the Drum House and tramway down to the pass.

ROUTE TWO. GREAT GABLE FROM GATESGARTH VIA FLEETWITH PIKE,
GREY KNOTTS, BRANDRETH AND GREEN GABLE.
4.5 miles 3500ft of ascent.

   The soaring ridge rising above Gatesgarth to the right of the Honister Pass road looks very tempting, and is indeed one of the finest ascents up a narrow ridge in the district. The path starts below the white memorial cross to Fanny Mercer at the base of Low Raven Crag. A steep climb round the crag is followed by easier ground before the ridge narrows becoming rougher as it surmounts more rises, but no obstacles to overcome. The views back are excellent as is the one at the summit where the route ahead can be surveyed. Go along the ridge and visit the top of Honister Crag for a sensational view down to the pass. Now descend to the right on a pleasant path directly for the head of the tramway at the Drum House before aiming left of the rising ground ahead to link up with a path to Grey Knotts coming up from Honister Pass. Please refer to the notes in Route One for the remainder of the walk to Great Gable. If returning to Gatesgarth either descend to Beck Head for Moses Trod as in Route One, or reverse the ascent to Gillercomb Head where follow the main track left to the Brandreth fence. Go down here by Great Round How into Dubbs Bottom and descend into Warnscale Bottom.

ROUTE THREE. GREAT GABLE FROM GATESGARTH VIA HAYSTACKS, BRANDRETH AND GREEN GABLE.
5 miles 3375ft of ascent.

  The first objective is Scarth Gap Pass reached by going across the head of Buttermere to Peggy's Bridge. As the lakeside path turns right go up the bank soon bearing left as the path from Buttermere joins. It is a long stony climb to the pass, but although steep and rocky the face of Haystacks on the left is an enjoyable way to the top helped by path improvements. Descend by the right hand path from the south east cairn, and ignore any crossing back to the main track by Innominate Tarn. Keep generally to or near the ridge above Ennerdale using helpful paths which are in good supply, and descend left slightly at the end of the ridge to round the head of Loft Beck. The facing slope is wet in places, but aim east to the Brandreth fence which runs south east up to the summit. Once again may I refer you to the notes in Route One for the remainder of the journey to Great Gable.

ROUTE FOUR. GREAT GABLE FROM SEATHWAITE VIA BASE BROWN AND
GREEN GABLE.
2.75 miles 2850ft of ascent.

   Go under the archway in the barn at Seathwaite Farm to the footbridge and cross over the wall ahead by an unusual stile. The track climbing by Sour Milk Ghyll has been paved where possible right up to the cross wall, but some sections of rock could not be tamed, and here some easy scrambling is required. Above the stile in the cross wall there is more pavement for a short way to the lip of the Gillercomb Valley. Cut across easy ground to the foot of the cliffs on Base Brown where a large boulder lies amidst a pile of smaller debris from the crags above. Looking up another boulder seems about to come tumbling down, but a path winds round the slope below it before turning back sharply up to the ridge. No more obstacles now except a steady climb to the summit, and from here Great Gable can be seen ahead. Descend to and cross a damp depression, and join the path out of Gillercomb up to Green Gable. The path bends right to meet the main ridge from Brandreth near some rocks which give shelter on windy days, before turning left up the worn highway to the top. The final part over Windy Gap and up the exposed rocks to Great Gable needs care, but is easier done this way round. The simplest descent albeit stony of course is to go down to Sty Head and so to Stockley Bridge. Some variation after returning to Green Gable can be adapted by going on to Brandreth and Grey Knotts before curving down the fellside to the former Seathwaite Lead Mines. Clear weather is needed for this unless the way is known down to the access stile above the mines.

ROUTE FIVE. GREAT GABLE FROM WASDALE HEAD VIA KIRK FELL.
4.25 miles 3450ft of ascent. 3 miles 2400ft of ascent to Kirk Fell.

      This is possibly the most exacting of these five described routes to Great Gable. I would not advocate a direct climb to Kirk Fell from Wasdale Head as it is unremittingly steep and lacks interest. Instead walk up Mosedale, and ascend to cross Gatherstone Beck before a stiff climb over Gatherstone Head leads to rather more friendly contours up to Black Sail Pass. Above now on the right rise the serrated battlements of Kirkfell Crags. Path would not be the correct description of the way up this obstacle, but some old fence posts are a guide. Keep a little right rather than left, and in favourable conditions this can be a good scramble. The slopes above are docile in comparison; though the summit shelter stands in an area of small rocks and stones. Go down to Kirkfell Tarns (two small pools) and up to the lower top which is the more attractive of the two before descending east along the line of the old fence to the top of Rib End. Although very stony and longer than one might wish Rib End holds no terrors except the sight of the climb facing it across Beck Head. The path from the small tarn bears slightly left to the rock outcrop where Moses Trod comes in, and then it is a case of showing true grit and valour up the scree to the upper rocky part of the climb by Gable Crag. The summit will be greeted with some relief. Descend to Sty Head and either go down the main track right into Wasdale, or look for the old pony route a little further beyond nearer Spouthead Gill.