Pillar Rock and Great Gable

Overview: A fairly challenging 12.5 mile/20k hike from Ennerdale YHA, following the forestry road South east until you see the road bridge crossing the river. now follow this road on the other side with the hillside to your right, eventually reaching a dog leg in the track where you can pick up the path to the Pillar rock.

This is a steep uphill section where crossing the stream and waterfall is required, up past the Pillar rock take the path to the right under a shear rock face, at on point here it gets quite tricky so caution is required. Once this section is complete it is an short scramble to the summit of Pillar where you can shelter for a well earned rest.

Then heading south east along the ridge to Great Gable where you will descend at which point you can choose to bear south up to the summit of kirk fell or skirt round it as we did to the foot of great Gable at Beck head.

Now head south south east up the steep scramble to the summit and take in the views, before setting off once more this time in a north easterly direction and a short descent followed by another short ascent up to the summit of grean Gable. From here bear North to Brandreth, continuing on to begin your descent via Seavy Knott then heading towards Black sail hut and the start.

This walk allows many variations to either shorten or extend depending upan weather and hours of daylight.

There are some steep sections and some scrambling, so a head for heights is a must.

Tips: This walk starts from the Ennerdale YHA and passes the Black sail hut (also a YHA, so this walk is ideal from either location. If you are not stopping at either place then there is a car park at Ennerdale water.