The day was fine and warm but hazy and so photographs were not as good as I had hoped for. However, it is always satisfying to start a walk from Honister pass. At a height of 1,176 ft it feels as if your head is in the clouds even before you begin. Nevertheless, the steep climb up the route of the old tramway to the remains of the Drum House soon knocks the wind out of you. The path  then turns left (south) to skirt around Grey Knotts and Brandreth. The footpath here is known as Moses' Trod and is reputedly an old smugglers' route. On the left the path up to Windy Gap and Green Gable is passed as height is gradually gained towards Beck Head. From here there is now a rocky scramble through several hundred feet of ascent to the summit of Great Gable. On a clear day the views are superb in every direction and there is a very definite feeling of being at a mountain summit. From the summit the descent to Windy Gap is rough and steep but Green Gable is then achieved without much difficulty. The path to Honister Pass returns via the tops of Brandreth and Grey Knotts and then descends steeply back to the car park behind the youth hostel.

  The Lake District Mountains