Routes up
Brandreth routes: 2 ways to the top
Honister Pass via the Drum HouseHiking · 2.7 km one way · 354 m ascent · ~1h 10m · from Honister Pass car parkEasy
Follow the old quarry tramway to the ruined Drum House, then take the path south-east across the slopes to the summit.
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Full Honister Pass via the Drum House route guideHonister Pass via Grey KnottsHiking · 2.1 km one way · 360 m ascent · ~1h 0m · from Honister Pass car parkModerate
Climb the steep slope beside the fence to Grey Knotts, then follow the fence posts over grass and rock south to Brandreth.
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
Full Honister Pass via Grey Knotts route guide
Summit today
Is it safe to climb Brandreth today?
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Cloud inversion · 7 days
The chance of standing above a sea of cloud on Brandreth each morning this week, from overnight temperature, humidity and low cloud below the 715m summit.
Dark sky · 7 days
How dark the sky gets over Brandreth each night this week, from cloud cover, moonlight and local light pollution.
Snow · 7 days
Snowfall and lying snow at the summit over the next 7 days.
Sun today
Sunrise 07:07, sunset 16:46
9h 39m of daylight. Golden hour ends 08:00 and starts 15:52. From the summit you see the sun 07:01 to 16:51.
Nearby summits
Close to Brandreth
About Brandreth
Brandreth lies on the ridge that runs south from Honister Pass to Great Gable, between Grey Knotts to the north and Green Gable to the south. It is a broad, grassy summit with a line of old fence posts running across it. Ennerdale falls away to the west and Borrowdale to the east.
Most walkers start at Honister Pass, which saves a lot of height. One route climbs Grey Knotts first and follows the fence posts south to Brandreth. The other follows the old quarry tramway up to the ruined Drum House, then takes the path across the slopes to the summit. Both routes are clear in good weather. Continue south to reach Green Gable and Great Gable, and return to Honister along the other line.
The summit gives a good view of Great Gable, 1.6 km south, and down Ennerdale to Pillar. In mist, use the fence posts to keep your line between Grey Knotts and Green Gable.
Brandreth is 715 m (2,346 ft) high with 60 m of prominence. It is in Cumbria, England. It is the 134th highest of the 273 summits Peakify lists in Cumbria. The nearest summits are Grey Knotts (0.7 km), Green Gable (1.2 km) and Great Gable (1.6 km).
What is the easiest way up Brandreth?
Start at Honister Pass and climb Grey Knotts, then follow the fence posts south to Brandreth.
Can you climb Brandreth and Great Gable together?
Yes. Great Gable is 1.6 km south via Green Gable, and the walk from Honister over Brandreth is one of the shortest ways up it.
Where do you park for Brandreth?
Park at Honister Pass, beside the slate mine at the top of the road between Borrowdale and Buttermere.
Is Brandreth suitable for beginners?
Yes in clear weather. The ground is grassy and the gradients are moderate, and the fence posts help with navigation.
How high is Brandreth?
Brandreth is 715 metres high with 60 metres of prominence.
Where is Brandreth?
Brandreth is listed in Cumbria, England.
Are there routes for Brandreth?
Peakify lists 2 routes for Brandreth, including available distance, ascent, start point, and difficulty details. The easiest is Honister Pass via the Drum House (2.7 km one way, Easy).
Is it safe to climb Brandreth today?
Peakify rates each day on the summit Good, Marginal or Poor from the forecast summit wind, gusts, chance of rain and wind chill. Wind of 40 mph or gusts of 65 mph make it Poor; wind of 25 mph, gusts of 45 mph, a 60% chance of rain or a feels-like temperature of -8°C or below make it Marginal. Today's and tomorrow's ratings are at the top of this page. The rating covers the weather only: also check your route, daylight, kit and experience, and in winter whether you need an ice axe and crampons.
What weather information is shown for Brandreth?
The page includes cached mountain forecast context, snow outlook, dark-sky signals, cloud-inversion information, sunrise, sunset, and summit planning details where available.
Peakify is run by Sam Tyler, who has climbed Yr Wyddfa 22 times. The forecast refreshes every hour; how our forecast works.
