How long does Great Gable from Honister take?

Most walkers take 3–4.5 hours for the 8.5 km route, which has 720 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.

Where does the walk start, and where can I park?

It starts at Honister Pass (grid reference NY 224 135). Pay car park at Honister Slate Mine.

Can I get there by public transport?

Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.

It's graded hard. Old tramway and stony paths; a steep, rocky climb from Windy Gap.

Which hills does it climb?

Great Gable (899 m, Wainwright, Hewitt); Green Gable (800 m, Wainwright, Hewitt); Brandreth (715 m, Wainwright, Hewitt); Grey Knotts (697 m, Wainwright).

Michael Graham · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Honister Pass Hard

Great Gable from Honister

2 Wainwrights Out and back Dog friendly

From the top of Honister Pass over Green Gable to the summit, with its war memorial.

Distance: 8.5 km
Ascent: 720 m
Time: 3–4.5 h
Grade: Hard
Route: Out and back
High point: 899 m

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Route mapped on 21 Oct 2026 from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on 21 Oct 2026. For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.

About this walk

Great Gable from Honister is a hard 8.5 km out-and-back walk with 720 m of ascent, taking 3 to 4.5 hours. It starts at Honister Pass (grid reference NY 224 135). It climbs 2 listed hills, the highest Great Gable at 899 m.

Great Gable is a great dome of rock at the heart of the Lake District. Starting high at Honister Pass, the route follows the old tramway and climbs over Green Gable before a steep, rocky climb from Windy Gap to the top.

On the summit is the Fell and Rock Climbing Club's memorial to members killed in the First World War, where a service is held every Remembrance Sunday. Return the same way.

Great views History Dog friendly

Route

1
Green Gable

Follow the tramway and paths over to Green Gable.
2
Great Gable

Drop to Windy Gap and climb the rocky path to the summit. Return the same way.

Summits

Green Gable

800 m

Wainwright Hewitt

Great Gable

899 m

Wainwright Hewitt Marilyn

Other routes up these hills

Plan your day

Start Pace Day

Time needed: 3 h 43 min
Back by: 12:43
Sunset: …
Turn back by: …

Based on Naismith's rule plus short breaks. Allow extra in winter or poor weather.

A link with the route, your start time and when you expect to be back, to send to someone at home.

Summit forecast

–

Forecast at Great Gable summit (899 m). Always check a mountain forecast too.

Getting there

Start: Honister Pass
Grid ref: NY 224 135
Parking: Pay car park at Honister Slate Mine.
Facilities: Café and toilets at the slate mine.

Directions to start

Bothies and hostels nearby

Dubs Hut Bothy · 1.6 km
Warnscale Head Bothy · 2 km
YHA Borrowdale Hostel · 3.1 km

Distances are from the start. Check with whoever runs it before relying on one.

Terrain

Old tramway and stony paths; a steep, rocky climb from Windy Gap.

Bog factor

Suitable for dogs.

Access & seasonal notes

Sheep graze the fells and moors: keep dogs on a lead near livestock, especially at lambing time (March to May).

Land and access

In England you can walk on public rights of way and open access land. The Countryside Code sets out how to do so responsibly.

Leave gates and property as you find them, and follow paths unless there's wider access.
On open access land, keep dogs on a short lead from 1 March to 31 July, and at any time near livestock.
Take your litter home, and bag and bin dog poo.
Plan ahead and check for signs and local advice.

The Countryside Code

What to take

A serious mountain day. Weather on the tops can be far worse than in the valley, and navigation is hard in cloud. Expect winter conditions from November to April.

Nothing out of the ordinary, so the usual kit below.

✓Map and compass (and know how to use them)
✓Waterproof jacket and trousers
✓Warm layer, hat and gloves, even in summer
✓Food, water and a head torch
✓Charged phone; register for emergency SMS (text 'register' to 999)

Hill safety guide

Questions about this walk

How long does Great Gable from Honister take?: Most walkers take 3–4.5 hours for the 8.5 km route, which has 720 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
Where does the walk start, and where can I park?: It starts at Honister Pass (grid reference NY 224 135). Pay car park at Honister Slate Mine.
Can I get there by public transport?: Not easily: there's no regular bus or train to the start, so you'll need a car, a lift or a long walk in.
How hard is it?: It's graded hard. Old tramway and stony paths; a steep, rocky climb from Windy Gap.
Which hills does it climb?: Great Gable (899 m, Wainwright, Hewitt); Green Gable (800 m, Wainwright, Hewitt); Brandreth (715 m, Wainwright, Hewitt); Grey Knotts (697 m, Wainwright).
Can I take my dog?: Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Sheep graze the fells and moors: keep dogs on a lead near livestock, especially at lambing time (March to May).

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