An energetic Lake District Horseshoe walk that takes in four summits as you keep to the high ground surrounding Gillercomb. The walk could also be extended to take in Great Gable if time and energy permit!
Calculated time: 4h20[?] 
Distance : 4.86mi
Vertical gain : 2408ft
Vertical drop : 2382ft
Highest point : 2552ft
Lowest point : 420ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : Lake District 
Location : Borrowdale
Starting point : N 54.50012° / W 3.181899° (D)The start is Seathwaite in the upper reaches of Borrowdale where parking can be at a premium on fine days in high season. After walking continue south to the farm and continue through the archway on your right, along a walled lane to reach a footbridge over the River Derwent. Most of your fellow walkers will keep straight ahead and take the path alongside Sourmilk Gill. However our route turns right crossing a second footbridge to follow the river downstream. Go through the first wall heading towards the Borrowdale Yews. The first stream is Newhouse Gill and after crossing the stream turn left and follow the faint path on its north-eastern bank.
(1)This path was once used by the miners working the deposits of plumbago which was used in pencil manufacture in Keswick. The path climbs up towards the first spoil tip, veering slightly left as you climb onto its top where there is a ruined building. The path zigzags higher past a second tip, climbing towards another tip with more ruined buildings. The path continues higher passing another ruin to reach a high intake wall with a ladder stile which leads you onto open hillside. The next section lacks a distinct path and you need to head for the skyline well to the right hand end of Raven Crag. Reaching a wire fence, follow the fence uphill to reach a stile. The summit of Grey Knotts is soon reached. You can now relax as about 1900 feet of ascent has been completed with just another 700 feet to go!
(2)The path continues southwest passing a few small tarns to reach the summit of Brandreth. Green Gable and Great Gable now dominate your attention as you descend south passing another string of small tarns on Gillercomb Head. Ahead lies 450 feet of ascent to Green Gable's summit.
(3)To continue the horseshoe, return towards Brandreth for just over 400 metres to some large boulders. Just before these a cairned path leads north-east along a broad ridge towards Base Brown. With the ascent now complete you can enjoy the view to Glaramara and the Scafells.
(4)Initially the descent northeast from Base Brown's summit is easy going. The path reaches a rocky section. Look out for a narrow and easily missed path going right. This leads to the top of a wide gully, which should be ignored as an easy descent. Instead cross the gully and keeping right you will locate an easier path. Initially the path heads towards Seathwaite but soon bars left under the Hanging Stone.
(5)Continue the descent until you reach the main valley path. Turn right and descend the paved path which descends steeply at times alongside Sourmilk Gill into the valley below. At the foot of the Gill cross the stile, and then the footbridge over the River Derwent and back through the arch at Seathwaite Farm. It's now time for refreshments in the café!
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 420ft - Start: Seathwaite
1 : mi 0.32 - alt. 463ft - Newhouse Gill
2 : mi 1.52 - alt. 2260ft - Grey Knotts
3 : mi 2.79 - alt. 2552ft - Green Gable
4 : mi 3.64 - alt. 2087ft - Base Brown
5 : mi 4.14 - alt. 1388ft - Hanging Stone
D/A : mi 4.86 - alt. 420ft - Finish: Seathwaite
This circuit of Gillercomb is short but does include significant ascent for a route of this length. Following the ridges on either side of the valley the walk stays on the high ground and as such offers wonderful views throughout the walk. An extension to include Great Gable is easily added and a decision does not have to be made until you have reached the top of Green gable. Navigation is generally easy apart from the first climb out of the valley which can easily be missed if you are in a hurry.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 2/5
Number of opinions : 1
Description quality : 1/5
Routemap quality : 3/5
Walk interest : Non utilisé
Hi John106,
We are really sorry to read that !
Any chance you could tell us what instructions would be helpful to improve the description ?
Cheers,
Aurélie - Community manager.
Global average : 2 / 5
Date of walk
: 17/08/20
Description quality
: Very disappointing
Routemap quality
: Average
Walk interest
: N/A
Didn't make any sense what so ever. Rubbish description right from the start. Ended up not even doing the walk as the instructions were wrong.
7.88mi
+3087ft
-3087ft
6h20
Difficult
Starting point in Borrowdale - Cumbria This Lake District walk includes an unpathed section of route and is for experienced walkers only and navigation skills are essential. The walk includes Great End approached from the Corridor Route before following easier ground to the summit of Glaramara. The descent from the latter summit requires careful navigation for a trouble-free descent back down to Seathwaite.
5.38mi
+2572ft
-2572ft
4h45
Difficult
Starting point in Borrowdale - Cumbria To the west of the Cumbrian Mountains, both Great and Green Gable summits offer a pleasant hike.
9.36mi
+2920ft
-2917ft
6h50
Average
Starting point in Borrowdale - Cumbria The classic and well trodden ascent of Scafell Pike from Seathwaite in Borrowdale. Ascending via Grains Gill to Great End and then Esk Hause and Broad Crag. The descent is via the 'Corridor Route' to Styhead Tarn and then back to Seathwaite.
9.06mi
+4016ft
-3392ft
7h40
Average
Starting point in Borrowdale - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. Funny how they were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way, there are 4 Wainwrights and 5 tarns.
7.58mi
+1056ft
-1066ft
4h25
Average
Starting point in Borrowdale - Cumbria Combining the delights of Borrowdale with the rural charm of Watendlath, this Lake District walk offers some wonderful views and relatively easy walking. Route finding is generally easy although there is a steady ascent from Lodore up to Watendlath.
12.03mi
+3832ft
-4544ft
8h50
Average
Starting point in Ennerdale and Kinniside - Cumbria The YHA is a great institution and I guess most fell walkers have stayed at a hostel at some time in their lives. They were created "to help all, especially young people of limited means, to a greater knowledge, love and care of the countryside, particularly by providing hostels or other simple accommodation for them on their travels". Here's a collection of routes starting or finishing at a YHA in The Lakes. Along the way are 6 Wainwrights, 3 tarns and 1 pub.
5.98mi
+1335ft
-1325ft
3h55
Average
Starting point in Borrowdale - Cumbria A short and fairly easy, circular walk up the ever popular Cat Bells. Starting from parking on the roadside just outside the village of Grange, this walk ascends Cat Bells from the South and descends north to join paths through the parkland and woods above and beside Derwent Water.
3.28mi
+991ft
-994ft
2h20
Average
Starting point in Buttermere (Cumbria) - Cumbria A short Lake District ridge walk that includes two Wainwrights. Surrounded by higher fells, the ridge between Ard Crags and Knott Rigg offers some wonderful Lakeland scenery.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
