Plan Around Great Gable
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Great Gable Details
Great Gable is a mountain lying at the very heart of the English Lake District, appearing as a pyramid from Wasdale (hence its name), but as a dome from most other directions. At 899m (2,949 feet) it is one of the most popular of the Lakeland fells, and there are many different routes to the summit. Great Gable is linked by the high pass of Windy Gap to its smaller sister hill, Green Gable, and by the lower pass of Beck Head to its western neighbour, Kirk Fell. Great Gable is rated by many Lakeland walkers as one of the best mountains. Quite rightly too for it is an awesome sight to behold. It is possibly the most painted and photographed of all the Lake District mountains for it sits spectacularly in a central position when looking to it from Wast Water. This is a serious walk, however, and shouldn't be attempted by inexperienced walkers. The stunning panorama of views from the top is breathtaking. To the north west are brilliant views into Ennerdale and towards Crummock Water with the complementary ridges which include Pillar, Looking Stead, Haycock, etc to the south of Ennerdale and then the Haystacks, High Crag, High Stile and Red Pike ridge to the north. Turn around to due south and you'll see the Scafells. The summit of Great Gable is strewn with boulders and the highest point marked by a rock outcrop set with a cairn. There is a plaque set on the summit rock commemorating those members of the Fell & Rock Climbing Club who died in World War I; an annual memorial service is held here on Remembrance Sunday. The club bought 3,000 acres of land including Great Gable and donated it to the National Trust in memory of these members. Due to its central position within the Lake District and great prominence the summit has some of the best panoramic views of any peak in the area. A hundred yards to the south west of the summit, overlooking the Napes, is the Westmorland Cairn. This cairn was erected in 1876 by two brothers named Westmorland to mark what they considered to be the finest view in the Lake District. From here ground falls away into the profound abyss of upper Wasdale. Further cairns mark the top of Gable Crag. Grid Reference: NY 21101 10327
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Low
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Nearby Parks Around Great Gable
Compare nearby parks around Great Gable when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Great Gable
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Great Gable while the map context is still fresh.
0.8 mi away
The Glaramara Wainwrights
A classic ridgeline hike takes in all three peaks detailed by Lake District trailblazer Alfred Wainwright.
1.2 mi away
Seathwaite to Sty Head and Grains Gill
You will likely get wet on this tough but ultimately rewarding walk along an old packhorse route into the heights of Borrowdale.
1.6 mi away
Great End
Great End is the most northerly mountain in the Scafell chain.
1.7 mi away
St. Olaf's Church
The smallest church near the deepest lake and the highest mountain in England.
