Getting Around Cumbria

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From Beck Head there are 2 paths back down into Wasdale (You could also go over Kirk Fell and then down Black Sail Pass)
One path leaves Beck Head fairly high up to the left and is cairned and the other more minor path follows the beck down. The former is the better path but the latter is also a good route – the choice is yours, You then regain the Styhead path that you walked up, turn right onto this and walk back to the Green at Wasdale Head

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From the Summit there are several ways down, you can return the same way that you came, take the path directly down to Beck Head or do as we did and take the path down to Arron Slack and walk the “Back Climbers Traverse” to Beck Head.
From the summit take the path heading towards Green Gable, this is a minor path and ios quite rocky but is well cairned. Just above Arron Slack the path swings to the right, this avoids a very Steep craggy section and is the recommended route.
On reaching Arron Slack the main path goes right to Styhead tarn, Left to Honister and there is a faint path that contours around the back side of Great Gable, this is the past that you want. It is quite narrow and rocky but the views are awesome and you are soon at Beck Head.

The Most dramatic mountain in Wasdale and indeed one of the most photographed mountain in the whole of Lakeland is Great gable, The following pages describe the walk to the summit from Wasdale Head, This is the shortest and quickest way up to the 2947 foot summit, Good paths mean that you don’t need any mountaineering skills, But never-the-less it is quite a demanding walk and you should allow at least 5 hours for the return walk from the starting point at the Green at Wasdale Head.
Make sure that the weather forecast is good before you set off and take a Good map, plenty of warm clothes, food and water and tell someone of your plans so that in the event of you running into trouble that rescue services can be alerted.
For an up-to-date view of the weather on Great Gable, log onto the link below to view the webcam.

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Behind Styhead Tarn there is a Mountain Rescue Stretcher Box, the path to the summit T’s off steeply uphill behind this box, it is a good path and is paved most of the way to the summit.
Don’t forget to keep looking back as the views open up behind you

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From the Green at Wasdale Head, follow the lane passed Saint Olav’s Church (Said to be the smallest church in England) up to Burnthwaite farm, then follow the track towards Sty Head pass, the better route up follows the river and Not up the scree slope to the left, cross the river (Sty Head Beck) where Piers Ghyll flows in and make your way up the zigzag path that will bring you out at Sty Head tarn.

The route that I am about to describe here isn't the shortest walk in but in my opinion it is the most Beautiful, Also as it involves a good days walking and is approximately an 18 mile round trip, Therefore it isn't overly popular, You will be walking alone for much or the route and will have a Real Wilderness Experience.

First, Park your car in one of the car parks at the end of Taw House Lane, This is in the Eskadle valley not far from the foot of HardKnott Pass.
Walk down Taw House lane as far as the farm, bear left in the farm yard and head for Scales Bridge

D0 NOT ATTEMPT THIS ROUTE IN BAD WEATHER, ALWAYS BE PREPARED WITH A GOOD MAP, APPROPRIATE CLOTHING, FOOD, WATER AND LET SOMEONE RELIABLE KNOW YOUR ROUTE IN ADVANCE

From Brotherillkeld Farm, follow the lane down to the main road at the bottom of Hardknott Pass, turn right here and you then have about one mile to walk back to your car.

AS THIS WALK IS APPROXIMATELY 18 MILES YOU WILL NEED AT LEAST 8 HOURS OF DAYLIGHT, As you can see by my final photo on this tip we cut it a little fine and the sun set as we walked along the road back to the car DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF UNDER-ESTIMATING THE TIME YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THIS WALK AND DEFINITELY DON'T BE ON THE MOUNTAIN AFTER THE SUN SETS !!!!!!!

D0 NOT ATTEMPT THIS ROUTE IN BAD WEATHER, ALWAYS BE PREPARED WITH A GOOD MAP, APPROPRIATE CLOTHING, FOOD, WATER AND LET SOMEONE RELIABLE KNOW YOUR ROUTE IN ADVANCE

My chosen route back down was to head from the summit cairn down to Mickledoor, Turn Left here and follow the path down to Cam Spout and the upper Esk. (We chose this route to make a figure of eight walk and to get back to the car) The path is fairly good and if you loose it just follow the Beck back down, keeping it on your right until you get back to the Esk, You cross the path that you came in on, cross the Esk and keeping it on your right, follow it down, Eventually to Brotherillkelk farm

D0 NOT ATTEMPT THIS ROUTE IN BAD WEATHER, ALWAYS BE PREPARED WITH A GOOD MAP, APPROPRIATE CLOTHING, FOOD, WATER AND LET SOMEONE RELIABLE KNOW YOUR ROUTE IN ADVANCE