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After following the road from Keswick past Derwentwater
and through Borrowdale you will get to the small village
of Seatoller keep on the road past Seatoller and enter
the Honister pass road. Make a note of the effort required
by your vehicle to get up this first hill as your legs
will be trying the same steep climb in several hours
time. Once you get to the Honister Slate Mine pull into
the free car park and you are at the start of this hard
and challenging trek.
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Honister Slate Mine
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Slate Mine Train Engine
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The slate mine is a great little place, full of industrial
history which some only relate to the welsh mountains.
It may be worth if you have the time, taking a look
in the shop here and if your lucky enough see one of
the slate workers tiling the slate.
From the slate mine car park take the track which leads
directly west up and away from the car park. This track
is not quite as easy as it looks and is a very strenuous
way to start any trek. Once at the top of the track
yo will be able to see on your left the marshy top of
Fleetwith on which a mound of rocks is laid to carry
the old incline from the mine. Head towards this mound
and in front of you you'll see the path follow round
the Grey Knotts as it passes round its right side.
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Buttermere
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Steep Ascent
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Follow this path alongside the Grey Knotts and to your
right you should be able to see the slate mine with
the beautiful view of Buttermere behind. Follow the
path towards the summit of Brandreth. If you end up
following the path round Brandreth then once you find
the wooden fence, simply stop at this point an follow
the fence upwards towards the top of Brandreth and take
one of the two stiles over the fence near the summit.
You should then be on track from Brandreth and heading
in the direction of Green Gable and Great Gable.
You should now head down the slope towards the bottom
of Green Gable. At this point go to the right and take
the upwards sloping path that goes round the side of
Green Gable and don't take the path up Green Gable.
The path follows round and under Green Gable and the
views that are seen from this section of Ennerdale are
breath taking. The path leads higher towards Great Gable
and then eventually will come to an end. At this point
you will see the path leads to the left and now the
fun starts with a hard but satisfying walk and scramble
up a steep path to the summit. Keep climbing and follow
the shiny trodden on rock to the summit if Great Gable.
Once you reach the summit, you will either be looking
at some of the best vies possible of the highest peaks
in England or be cursing the grey clouds.
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Great Gable
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Memorial Cairn
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At the summit you will find the cairn which is dedicated
to the members of the fell and rock climbing club, who
died in the European war. This is quite a lofty 899M
high summit but is not typical of most summits in the
area as it has a unique flat top.
Take the path South East off the summit. This path
is well marked with small rock piles at first then turns
into a well maintained path that will lead you down
to Sty Head. Once at the bottom of this path you'll
see the Stretcher box, at this point turn left towards
the Styhead Tarn and follow the path into Styhead Gill
valley, the path crosses Styhead Gill at a wooden footbridge,
take this route until you get to the waterfalls in the
gill. These waterfalls are a sudden drop in the gill
and Borrowdale can now be seen in the valley below.
At the waterfalls cross the gill and follow the not
so obvious path down the other side of the gill. This
will follow the gill down and towards the small forest.
Once at the forest keep on the path and eventually you
will look to your right and see one of the most surprising
and delightful sights I've ever seen on a walk. The
Taylorgill Force Waterfall is a hidden gem of the Lake
District and due to you leaving the main path and coming
this way down you get the best possible view.
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Styhead Tarn
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Taylor Gill Force
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Now follow the path down through the gate and towards
Borrowdale. The more popular path can be seen across
the valley, however stick to this path. Eventually after
crossing a few fields you will get to the wooden bridge
where the Sourmilk Gill waterfalls can be seen on the
left and after a good few days rain should be explored.
Go over the bridge that passes the campsite and heads
towards the buildings at Seathwaite. The cafe at Seathwaite
is a great little stop. The refreshments here are second
to none. Bacon butties and drinks are a big treat and
well deserved. After exploring Seathwaite follow the
road which will lead out and back to Seatoller, this
road can get quite busy in the summer but the views
of the Borrowdale Fells are worthy. The river that goes
under the road here can often dry up in the summer and
go underground making for a very bizarre sight at the
bridge.
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Seathwaite
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Honister Pass Road
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You'll eventually get to the village of Seatoller.
The small pub here is a great place for refreshments
and the Art Gallery is also worth a visit. Now follow
the 1 in 4 hill towards the Honister Pass. Be warned
however that this road will seem to last forever and
is very steep. The road will eventually flatten out
and the mine will be in view.
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Duration
: 6.5 Hrs
