Green Gable

Green Gable is a fell in the English Lake District, standing just north-east of its more famous neighbour Great Gable. It can be reached from Honister Pass, Seathwaite in Borrowdale, or Ennerdale. The fell forms part of the Western Fells, a triangular area bordered by the River Cocker to the north-east and Wasdale to the south-east. Two main ridges fan out from the high country around Great Gable, with Green Gable marking the start of the northern arm. Its summit offers views of Gable Crag, Scafell Pike, the Buttermere valley and the surrounding Lakeland fells.

Green Gable rises at the head of Ennerdale, where the infant River Liza flows from the connecting col known as Windy Gap. The fell’s lower slopes are grassy, but the summit area is stony and bare. Sty Head Tarn lies below Aaron Slack, a steep scree slope leading down to Sty Head Pass. The eastern face contains Mitchell Cove, a shallow hollow with a stream that joins Styhead Gill on its way to Borrowdale. The fell’s geology includes till at the summit and outcrops of rhyolitic tuff and lapilli tuff.

The summit is marked by a cairn and provides wide-ranging views of the Lakeland fells. From here, walkers can see Gable Crag clearly, while the Buttermere valley offers a striking foreground. Paths from Seathwaite lead up Sourmilk Gill into Gillercomb, while routes from Honister Pass contour around Grey Knotts and Brandreth before ascending via Gillercomb Head. Other approaches include climbing Styhead Pass and branching into Mitchell Cove, or taking the gentler ascent of the Tongue from Ennerdale. The fell’s ridges and coves provide varied terrain for walkers.