Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb up Base Brown: route map, distance and time
646 m · Cumbria
Base Brown is a 646 m fell at the head of Borrowdale, the steep end of the ridge from Green Gable, climbed from Seathwaite through Gillercomb.
Cross the valley at Seathwaite, climb the steep path beside Sourmilk Gill into Gillercomb, then turn up the ridge to the summit.
Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb at a glance
| Distance | 3.1 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 542 m |
| Time up | 1h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 2h 10m, down the same way |
| Grade | Moderate |
| Start | Seathwaite farm, Borrowdale |
| Start grid reference | NY 234 121 |
| Summit grid reference | NY 225 114 |
Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
- The Yew Tree Pub1.9 km
- Sky Hi Cafe1.7 km
- Public toilets0.1 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Public toilets1.7 km
- Seathwaite Farm Campsite0.1 km
- Seatoller Farm1.7 km
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 1h 15m | 1h 45m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 1h 30m | 2h 10m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 1h 50m | 2h 40m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06. Start by 14:56 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03. Start by 14:53 to be down before dark, allowing 2h 10m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Base Brown summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 9°C at the summit, feeling as cold as -1°C, summit wind 28 mph gusting 34 mph, 39% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:49, sunset 18:06.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Tuesday 20 October
Slight rain, up to 8°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 4°C, summit wind 24 mph gusting 30 mph, 99% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:51, sunset 18:03.
Best day of the next seven for Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb: Monday 19 October, with summit gusts around 34 mph and a 39% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Base Brown forecast
Before you go, also check: MWIS Lake District forecast · Met Office mountain forecast · Weatherline fell top conditions.
What to take today
- An insulated jacket, hat and warm gloves: it feels like -1°C on top.
- A waterproof jacket. It can rain on the tops in any forecast.
- A windproof layer, and poles for balance in gusts to 34 mph.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Base Brown
Base Brown is a 646 m fell at the head of Borrowdale, the steep end of the ridge from Green Gable, climbed from Seathwaite through Gillercomb. More about Base Brown, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Wainwright, Hewitt, Nuttall, Birkett.
Extend the walk: tops near the summit
- Brandreth (715 m), 1.2 km west
- Green Gable (800 m), 1.3 km south-west
- Grey Knotts (697 m), 1.4 km north-west
- Seathwaite Fell (601 m), 1.4 km south
- Great Gable (899 m), 1.8 km south-west
- Seathwaite Fell (631 m), 1.8 km south
Challenges that include Base Brown
More walks from Seathwaite farm, Borrowdale
Routes in Peakify's guides that start within 500 m of this one, for another day from the same car park.
- Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause up Allen Crags
- Seathwaite via Grains Gill up Esk Pike
- Glaramara and Allen Crags round up Glaramara
- Seathwaite via Grains Gill and Esk Hause up Great End
- Seathwaite via Styhead Tarn up Great Gable
- Seathwaite via the Corridor Route up Scafell Pike
- Seathwaite via Stockley Bridge up Seathwaite Fell
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at NY 234 121, the summit at NY 225 114), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb: questions and answers
How far is Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb?
Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb is 3.1 km one way to the summit of Base Brown, with 542 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 6.2 km.
How long does Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb take?
About 1h 30m to the summit of Base Brown and 2h 10m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 2h 40m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb?
Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb starts from Seathwaite farm, Borrowdale. The grid reference is NY 234 121.
Is Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb suitable for beginners?
Yes, for fit walkers on a clear day. Peakify grades it Moderate: a long climb on a made path, but the top is high, exposed and colder than the start. Turn back if the cloud comes down and you can't navigate.
What time should I start Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb today?
By 14:56 at the latest. Sunset on Base Brown today is 18:06, Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb takes about 2h 10m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Seathwaite via Sourmilk Gill and Gillercomb?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).